Staff Nurse, DCAM Pre-Op/PACU – Full-Time, Days

Be a part of a world-class academic healthcare system, UChicago Medicine, as a Staff Nurse in our DCAM Pre-Op/PACU department at our Hyde Park campus. At UChicago Medicine, we bring the world’s most innovative approaches to patients with all conditions, from common to complex. You will work alongside physicians and multidisciplinary teams committed to providing exceptional, patient-centered care.

This position is a 100% onsite opportunity located in Hyde Park.

As a Staff Nurse in the DCAM Pre-Op/PACU, you will provide nursing care to patients throughout the perioperative experience. You will assess, plan, implement, and evaluate individualized care while maintaining responsibility and accountability for the nursing services provided.

The Staff Nurse collaborates with physicians, anesthesia providers, and interdisciplinary team members to promote patient safety, positive outcomes, and an excellent patient experience.

Essential Job Functions

• Performs comprehensive patient assessments and develops individualized plans of care.
• Provides preoperative and postoperative nursing care based on established standards of practice.
• Prepares patients for surgical and procedural services, including verification of required documentation, testing, and physician orders.
• Monitors patients during recovery from anesthesia and promptly communicates changes in condition.
• Assesses pain, respiratory status, cardiovascular status, level of consciousness, and readiness for discharge.
• Administers medications, IV therapies, blood products, and treatments according to physician orders and hospital policy.
• Provides patient and family education related to procedures, recovery, medications, and discharge instructions.
• Collaborates with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and interdisciplinary team members to coordinate safe and efficient patient care.
• Documents assessments, interventions, medications, patient responses, and discharge planning according to hospital standards.
• Recognizes changes in patient condition and initiates appropriate interventions.
• Maintains current knowledge of emergency procedures and responds appropriately to urgent clinical situations.
• Completes required unit-based and hospital competencies.
• Maintains compliance with infection-prevention, patient-safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Participates in staff meetings, educational programs, quality-improvement initiatives, and departmental activities.
• Contributes to a positive work environment that promotes teamwork, staff engagement, and patient satisfaction.
• Assumes charge nurse or preceptor responsibilities as assigned.
• Supports the efficient use of time, supplies, equipment, and personnel.

Required Qualifications

• Graduate of an NLN-accredited School of Nursing.
• Associate Degree in Nursing or higher.
• Current Illinois Registered Nurse license.
• Current Basic Life Support certification from the American Heart Association.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
• Previous Pre-Op, PACU, critical care, emergency department, or perioperative nursing experience.
• Current Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support certification.
• Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification.
• Experience caring for patients recovering from anesthesia or sedation.

Position Details

• Job Type/FTE: 1.0, Full-Time Regular
• Shift: Days, 8:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
• Work Location: Onsite – Hyde Park
• Unit/Department: DCAM Pre-Op/PACU
• Cost Center: 33012
• CBA Code: NNU
• Requisition Number: 3473