Registered Nurse (RN) — PACU / Recovery Room
Be the reassuring voice patients hear as they wake from anesthesia. As a PACU RN at North Arkansas Regional Medical Center (NARMC), you’ll deliver vigilant, evidence-based post-anesthesia care—stabilizing airways, monitoring rhythms, and guiding patients and families through a safe recovery. If you’re calm under pressure and love collaborative, high-impact work, this role is for you.
About Us
North Arkansas Regional Medical Center (NARMC) is an innovative, non-profit healthcare system anchored by a central hospital in Harrison, Arkansas, and 13 clinics serving the rural communities of North Arkansas. More than 750 team members deliver a comprehensive range of services close to home. Guided by our values of safety, quality, integrity, and community, our mission is to provide comprehensive healthcare across Northwest Arkansas. Our vision is to be the region’s most trusted and preferred healthcare provider—one patient, one family, one neighbor at a time.
Job Summary
Provide professional nursing care using the nursing process for patients in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (Phase I/II). Coordinate closely with anesthesia, surgery, and perioperative teams to assess, monitor, intervene, educate, and document throughout recovery.
Key Responsibilities
- Receive and rapidly assess post-anesthesia patients; maintain airway patency, ventilation, and hemodynamic stability.
- Continuously monitor EKG/telemetry, oxygenation, level of consciousness, and pain/comfort; identify dysrhythmias and intervene appropriately.
- Administer and titrate medications per orders; understand drug therapy interactions and reversal agents; document responses in the EHR.
- Recognize and respond to emergencies (e.g., airway compromise, hypotension, arrhythmias, PONV, bleeding); activate resources and escalate promptly.
- Manage post-operative recovery needs and progression to discharge using standards such as Aldrete and ASPAN guidelines (Phase I/II).
- Deliver clear patient/family education and discharge instructions; communicate professionally with physicians, anesthesia, and team members.
- Uphold infection prevention and unit safety policies; maintain a clean, safe environment of care.
- Keep charge nurse/lead informed of changes in patient condition; contribute to care planning and updates.
- Demonstrate resilience in a setting with repeated, sudden stressful situations; participate in unit meetings/in-services and competency validations.
Required
- Current Arkansas Registered Nurse (RN) license (or compact eligibility).
- BLS at hire; ACLS and PALS within one year of hire.
- Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English; communicate effectively with physicians, staff, patients, and families.
- Pass NARMC pharmacology test with a score of ≥80% (post-orientation).
- Demonstrated knowledge of patient care, medications, and emergency recognition with appropriate action in a PACU setting.
Preferred
- Cardiac arrhythmia course.
- ASPAN certification (CPAN/CAPA) or commitment to obtain.
Compensation & Schedule
- Status: Full-time (PRN/part-time may be considered).
- Schedule: Day Shift with on-call support for urgent/emergent cases; may include nights, weekends, and holidays per department needs.
- Pay: Competitive base pay with differentials where applicable; details discussed during the interview process.
Why Join Us
- High-trust PACU culture that values teamwork, safety, and kindness.
- Diverse surgical case mix where your clinical judgment has immediate impact.
- Strong professional development: PACU competencies, ASPAN-aligned education, and precepting opportunities.
Benefits Overview
- Multiple health plan options (PPO and HDHP) with coverage through NARMC Domestic Network and Cigna Health Plan.
- Dental and vision coverage through Delta Dental and Delta Vision of Arkansas.
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) available.
- Basic life insurance and AD&D provided at no cost; voluntary life options available.
- Short-term and long-term disability coverage offered.
- Accident and critical illness insurance through Lincoln Financial.
- 401(k) retirement plan with up to 3.5% company match, vested over 5 years.
- Paid Leave Bank (PLB) and Extended Illness Bank (EIB) with accrual based on service years.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and First Stop Health 24/7 counseling services.
- AirMed/Mercy Life Flight membership for eligible staff and families.
- On-site wellness center and discounted membership at Planet Fitness.
- Tuition reimbursement and support for continuing education.
- Employee referral bonuses and internal promotion opportunities.
- Pet insurance and identity theft protection available.
- Discounts on prescriptions, cafeteria meals, gift shop items, and local thrift store purchases.
Skills Required
- Current Arkansas Registered Nurse (RN) license or compact eligibility
- BLS at hire
- ACLS and PALS within one year of hire
- Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English; effective communication with physicians, staff, patients, and families
- Pass NARMC pharmacology test with a score of ≥80% (post-orientation)
- Demonstrated knowledge of patient care, medications, and emergency recognition with appropriate action in a PACU setting
- Cardiac arrhythmia course
- ASPAN certification (CPAN/CAPA) or commitment to obtain
What We Do
North Arkansas Regional Medical Center (NARMC) is an innovative, non-profit healthcare system and 174-bed, level 3 trauma center located in Harrison, Arkansas. Serving the rural communities of North Central Arkansas through its central hospital and 13 clinics, NARMC provides a comprehensive range of medical services. Its mission is to provide high-quality healthcare and be the most trusted and preferred provider in the region.
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