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.

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. 

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.

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.

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