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Pacu Jobs in Utah (NOW HIRING)

... post operative care to patients recovering following surgery or other procedures. They monitor ... Coordinates care with anesthesia and surgical teams to resolve instability and determine ongoing ...

New

Same Day Surgery & PACU / Operating Room (OR) 🕒 Schedule: Full-time | 36 hours/week | 8 to 10-hour shifts 📅 Shifts: Day shifts M-F | Hours 5am - 10am for shift start times 💵 Pay: Starting at ...

RN PACU

West Jordan, UT · On-site

$32.01 - $48.43/hr

RN PACU Partnering for a stronger, healthier world. At CommonSpirit Health, we believe in the healing power of humanity. We invite you to explore our specialty areas and pursue a career in ...

CRNA

Lehi, UT · On-site

Provide post-anesthesia follow-up evaluation and care. * Discharge the patient from the post-anesthesia care unit. * Manage emergency situations by assessing, stabilizing, and determining the ...

CRNA

UT · On-site

Provide post-anesthesia follow-up evaluation and care. * Discharge the patient from the post-anesthesia care unit. * Manage emergency situations by assessing, stabilizing, and determining the ...

Showing results 41-60

Pacu information

See Utah salary details

$822

$2.1K

$3.2K

How much do pacu jobs pay per week?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average weekly pay for pacu in Utah is $2,116.40, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $1,663.46 and $2,538.46 per week, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a PACU nurse?

PACU nurses, or Post-Anesthesia Care Unit nurses, are registered nurses who specialize in caring for patients as they recover from anesthesia after surgery. Their primary responsibilities include monitoring vital signs, managing pain, and ensuring patients safely regain consciousness. PACU nurses must be skilled in assessing for complications such as airway obstruction or adverse reactions to anesthesia, and they play a critical role in patient recovery during the immediate postoperative period.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a PACU nurse?

To thrive as a PACU Nurse, you need strong knowledge of post-anesthesia care, patient assessment, and emergency response, typically supported by an RN license and experience in critical or perioperative care. Familiarity with monitoring equipment, electronic health records (EHRs), and certifications such as ACLS and PALS are standard requirements. Excellent communication, critical thinking, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are vital soft skills for this role. These skills ensure safe, effective recovery for patients emerging from anesthesia and enable swift action in critical situations.

What are common challenges faced by PACU nurses during patient recovery, and how are they addressed?

PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit) nurses often encounter challenges such as managing patients' pain, monitoring for complications like airway obstruction or changes in vital signs, and communicating effectively with surgical teams and families. These challenges are addressed through rigorous monitoring protocols, multidisciplinary teamwork, and ongoing training in emergency response. PACU nurses also rely on strong assessment skills and clear communication to ensure each patient’s safe and comfortable transition from anesthesia to full consciousness.

Do PACU nurses make more money?

PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) nurses typically earn higher salaries than general nurses due to specialized skills in post-anesthesia care and critical patient monitoring. Their pay can vary based on experience, certifications, and geographic location, but they generally receive competitive wages within the nursing field.

Is PACU a stressful job?

The PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit) nursing role can be stressful due to the need for quick decision-making, monitoring patients recovering from anesthesia, and managing potential complications. It requires strong clinical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to handle high-pressure situations in a fast-paced environment.

Is it hard to get a PACU job?

Getting a PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) job can be competitive and typically requires a registered nurse (RN) license, relevant experience in perioperative or critical care, and often certification such as ACLS or PALS. Strong clinical skills, certification, and a good understanding of patient monitoring increase the chances of securing a position in this specialized environment.

What are popular job titles related to Pacu jobs in Utah?

For Pacu jobs in Utah, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Pacu jobs in Utah look for?

The top searched job categories for Pacu jobs in Utah are:

Infographic showing various Pacu job openings in Utah as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 52% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 32% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $110,053 per year, or $52.9 per hour.

Nurse III, PACU

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT • On-site

Other

Posted 3 days ago

New


University Of Utah rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 160 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

414th of 631 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Overview
As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA
Job Family
Nursing: Nursing provides patient care, promotes health, prevents illness and supports positive patient care outcomes through comprehensive care and patient advocacy.
Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.
Responsibilities
Job Subfamily
Postanesthesia Care nurses provide a critical role in the continuum of surgical care in all surgical settings by providing pre and post operative care to patients recovering following surgery or other procedures. They monitor vital signs, manage pain, and ensure patients regain consciousness safely. These nurses are essential in identifying complications early and providing immediate interventions.
Career Level
N3: Provides care for patients with complex problems and less predictable outcomes. Serves as a clinical resource and mentors Clinical Nurse I/II staff. Participates in education and staff development. Demonstrates advanced clinical knowledge and critical thinking. Applies evidence-based practice to complex, high acuity patient care. Leads care for patients with multifaceted needs. Coordinates interdisciplinary care and contributes to progressive care planning. Functions independently. Provides consultative support and mentors peers. May lead clinical training or orientation. Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams. Resolves conflicts and supports team development through leadership and role modeling.
Essential Functions
  • Performs advanced Phase 1 and Phase 2 recovery assessments for ambulatory and inpatient patients with higher-risk or less predictable post-anesthesia courses.
  • Manages recoveries involving invasive monitoring and specialized therapies, including arterial lines and regional analgesia devices, in accordance with protocol and ratios.
  • Interprets invasive blood pressure trends, respiratory status, analgesia effects, and comorbidity interactions to guide clinical decision-making.
  • Leads initial stabilization of higher-risk recoveries with less predictable ventilatory, hemodynamic, or pain management needs.
  • Coordinates care with anesthesia and surgical teams to resolve instability and determine ongoing recovery needs or escalation plans.
  • Administers medications and interventions for complex recovery needs and evaluates response in real time.
  • Provides advanced patient and family education related to recovery, pain plans, regional analgesia, and discharge or transfer expectations.
  • Negotiates care plans and handoffs with anesthesia, surgery, and receiving units for complex or inpatient cases.
  • Serves as a clinical resource and mentor for junior staff during complex recoveries and less predictable peri-anesthesia situations.
  • Supports relief charge responsibilities and contributes to patient flow, assignment support, and prioritization of care.
  • Maintains safe recovery workflows by anticipating complications, addressing risks early, and adhering to broader peri-anesthesia protocols.
  • At the discretion of department operational and patient care needs, this position is required to work rotating schedules, which may include variable hours, weekends, nights, and holidays to meet the staffing and patient care demands of a 24/7 complex health system. Regular, reliable, and punctual attendance during assigned shifts is considered an essential function of the role.
Qualifications
Licenses Required
  • Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Utah, or obtain one within 90 days of hire under the interstate compact if switching residency to State of Utah. Must maintain current Interstate Compact (multi-state) license if residency is not being changed to Utah.
  • Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.
  • Current RQI Healthcare Provider ALS eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The ALS eCredential is to be obtained within 90 days of hire
* Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.
Qualifications (Preferred)
Working Conditions and Physical Demands
Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.
  • This position involves intensive work that may exert up to 100 pounds and may consistently require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling or otherwise moving objects, such as medical equipment, or patients while providing medical care. Workers in this position may be exposed to infectious diseases and may be required to function around prisoners and behavioral health patients.

Physical Requirements
Carrying, Climbing, Color Determination, Crawling, Far Vision, Lifting, Listening, Manual Dexterity, Near Vision, Non Indicated, Pulling and/or Pushing, Reaching, Sitting, Speaking, Standing, Stooping and Crouching, Tasting or Smelling, Walking

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About University of Utah

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Utah is the state’s flagship institution of higher education, with 18 schools and colleges, more than 100 undergraduate majors and graduate programs, and an enrollment of more than 38,000 students. It is a member of the Association of American Universities—an invitation-only, prestigious group of 71 leading research institutions. The U is advancing a new national model for higher education that delivers societal impact through education, research, health care, and community service, while making social, economic, and cultural contributions that improve lives across Utah and around the world.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Salt Lake City, UT, US