Bangor, Maine
Columbia, South Carolina
Riverside, California
Poughkeepsie, New York
San Bernardino, California
Columbia, South Carolina
Posted: 16-Jun-26
Location: Denver, Colorado
Categories:
Internal Number: R16565
We're with you for life’s journey. At Denver Health, purpose isn’t just something we believe in-it’s something we live every day, for life’s journey.
Our Values
Respect | Belonging | Accountability | Transparency
Department
2B Main PACUPre-Operative/Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) houses 20 pre-operative (pre-op) bays and 17 PACU bays on Denver Health’s main campus, as well as 14 pre-op and 14 PACU bays in our Outpatient Surgery Center. This is a fast-paced department, and we pride ourselves on excellent nursing care during the pre- and post-operative period in the perioperative process. Our nurses care for a wide variety of patients from pediatric to geriatric, and same day surgery to surgical intensive care. In addition to our 16 operating rooms, our team also prepares and recovers patients from our gastrointestinal, Cardiac Catherization Lab, interventional radiology, bronchoscopy, and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) procedural areas as well as being a back-up for labor and delivery C-sections. Pre-op nurse-to-patient ratio is 1:3 and PACU nurse-to patient ratio is 1:2.Job Summary
Under minimal supervision, assists in developing and implementing initial training, future training and care team development programs for assigned areas. Conducts ongoing education for the team and is responsible for assuring the competency of the professional nurse and unlicensed personnel in those assigned areas. Evidence of competency is reviewed and documented at least annually and is based upon the most recent evidence and best practices. Lead the departments evidences base orientation program.
Adheres to the American Nurses Association (ANA) standards of professional nursing practice / process and performance, and the ANA Code of Ethics (2015)* to provide care to all healthcare consumers. Applies critical thinking, evidence-based practices and competence to collaborate with the health care team to promote excellence in healthcare consumer safety and quality outcomes. Utilizes the Theory of Human Caring and Caritas in daily practice. "Jean Watson, PhD, RN, AHN-BC, FAAN, Founder / Director, Watson Caring Science Institute."
Essential Functions:
- Facilitate learning by creating an environment that supports achievement of desired cognitive, affective, and psychomotor outcomes. (10%)
- Develop competency outcomes and designing curricula that reflect educational needs of the department/organization (10%)
- Teach courses and provide training to licensed nurses and unlicensed personal (10%)
- Develop maintain and revise learning modules and lesson plans (10%)
- Utilize a variety of strategies to assess and evaluate knowledge and competencies. (10%)
- Engage in policy development and revisions through research, analysis, consultation and synthesis of information. (10%)
- Incorporate evidence-based research into education plans, patient treatment plans, and nursing practices (10%)
- Promote critical thinking among nurses, and show commitment to professional development and lifelong learning (10%)
- Serves as a mentor to nurses, and identify growth opportunities and education needs for practicing nurses (5%)
- Pursue continuous quality improvements and patient safety and quality care (5%)
- Evaluates practice in relation to professional standards, statues, regulatory requirements, hospital and departmental policies, and standards of care.
(5%) - Promotes quality care by redefining priorities for care based on evaluation of healthcare consumer/family response or changing condition.
(5%)
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree Nursing Required
Work Experience:
- 4-6 years direct patient care nursing experience. Required
1 Year PreOp/PACU or Critical Care Nursing Experience
Licenses:
- RN-Registered Nurse - DORA - Department of Regulatory Agencies Required
- BLS-Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) - AHA - American Heart Association Required
TNCC, TCAR, ASPAN, (CPAN or CAPA) Preferred
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Adherence to Standards of Professional Nursing Practice/ Process / Performance [ANA Standards addendum- signed] and accrediting body standards.
- Strong understanding and display of the principals of customer service as it applies to patients, staff and the community
- Ability to assist in identifying ways to promote quality patient-centric care and maintain Denver Health’s high level of patient satisfaction. [Nursing Vision Statement]
- Ability to work effectively in a team matrix environment. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively at all levels and in a cross functional environment.
- Ability to work closely with multidisciplinary staff, charge nurses, clinical nurse educator(s), and Nursing Managers, providers,, executive leadership to provide care to patients with respect to their uniqueness using informed judgment, competence, individual qualifications, and collaboration with the health care team.
- Ability to demonstrate an understanding of assessment findings as they relate to the disease process and continuum of care.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Proficient with EHR or Epic documentation.
Shift
Days (United States of America)Work Type
RegularSalary
$43.64 - $67.64 / hrBenefits
At Denver Health, we take care of the people who take care of our community. Our benefits are built to support your life, your family, and your future - with generous paid time off, fully paid parental leave, exceptional retirement contributions, comprehensive health coverage, and nationally recognized well-being programs. We invest in your growth through tuition assistance, career advancement pathways, and professional development - while also offering meaningful financial advantages through loan forgiveness eligibility and employer contributions. When you join Denver Health, you’re joining a mission-driven organization that invests in you.
Here is a small list of our benefit programs:
Paid time off starting at 28 days per year, inclusive of vacation, personal/sick, and 7 Holidays
100% paid parental leave up to 6 weeks
Immediate eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution up to 9.5%
Generous medical, dental, vision plans in addition to employer paid disability and life insurance.
Comprehensive well-being programs including on-site employee fitness center located on Denver Health main campus and nationally recognized RESTORE Center
Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)
Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more
Tuition reimbursement & assistance
Education, coaching, and professional development opportunities through the Workforce Development Center (WFDC) that support internal career growth and advancement pathways
Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer+ free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program
National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer
About Denver Health
Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic health care system considered a model for the nation that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver’s 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 19 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, Denver Health Medical Plan and Denver Health Foundation.
As Colorado’s primary, and essential, safety-net health care system, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided millions in uncompensated care for the uninsured each year.
Located near downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer.
Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We value the unique ideas, talents and contributions reflective of the needs of our community. All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.