Location & Practice Overview

This PACU nursing role is based at an ambulatory surgery center in the San Diego area operated by California Pain and focused on interventional pain procedures.

Facility Type Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC)
Specialty Focus Interventional pain management
Care Setting Outpatient procedural recovery
Geographic Area San Diego (Rancho Bernardo vicinity)

Responsibilities

  • Monitor vital signs, oxygen levels, and respiratory function as patients emerge from anesthesia
  • Assess for post-anesthesia complications such as respiratory distress, bleeding, or abnormal vital signs and respond promptly
  • Administer pain medication and evaluate its effectiveness while avoiding related complications
  • Provide reassurance and emotional support to patients who may be disoriented or anxious upon waking
  • Prepare stable patients for discharge with recovery instructions, including wound care and signs of potential complications

The work centers on continuous observation and timely intervention during the immediate recovery phase after anesthesia in an outpatient pain-focused ASC.

Qualifications & Requirements

Candidates must hold active credentials appropriate for post-anesthesia nursing practice in California.

Licensure
Current unrestricted California RN license
Certifications
BLS and ACLS required
Experience
Prior PACU, OR, ICU, or ASC experience preferred; pain management setting advantageous
Clinical Skills
Airway management, recovery assessment, and rapid response capability

Compensation & Benefits

The posted compensation range for this position is $55–$65 per hour, with pay based on the role and experience.

  • Compensation: $55–$65 per hour
  • Retirement plan options
  • Paid time off and paid holidays
  • Vision insurance

Schedule & Work Environment

Employment Status Full-time
Work Setting On-site ambulatory surgery center
Environment Recovery unit supporting outpatient procedural flow

Patient Population & Clinical Setting

Patients are primarily adults recovering from procedures that required anesthesia in an outpatient pain management setting.

Age Group Adults
Patient Type Individuals recovering after outpatient pain interventions
Acuity Post-procedure recovery with variable sedation levels
Encounter Type Ambulatory recovery leading to discharge

Clinical Focus & Key Services

The clinical core of this position is post-anesthesia recovery support for patients who have undergone interventional pain procedures in an ASC.

Recovery Focus Immediate post-anesthesia stabilization and monitoring
Pain Control Support Medication administration and comfort management after procedures
Complication Surveillance Detection of respiratory, cardiovascular, or bleeding issues in recovery
Discharge Preparation Criteria-based evaluation and patient education for home recovery

Role Highlights

This position is distinguished by its concentration on recovery after interventional pain procedures within a dedicated ambulatory surgery center.

  • Specialized recovery support for interventional pain procedures rather than a broad surgical case mix
  • Ambulatory surgery center environment focused on outpatient procedural care
  • Close collaboration with pain management physicians in a focused practice

About California Pain

California Pain (California Pain Consultants) is a San Diego County pain management practice with multiple clinic locations and an affiliated ambulatory surgery center specializing in interventional procedures. The organization serves adult patients seeking non-surgical and procedural solutions for chronic and acute pain conditions across Kearny Mesa, La Mesa, Rancho Bernardo, and Chula Vista.

Organization Type Pain management practice with affiliated ASC
Service Focus Interventional pain procedures, medication management, regenerative approaches
Geographic Footprint Multiple locations across San Diego County
ASC Affiliation Comprehensive Pain ASC (Rancho Bernardo area)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this PACU role based in a hospital or an outpatient facility?
The position is located in an ambulatory surgery center focused on interventional pain procedures, not a hospital inpatient PACU.
What patient population does this role serve?
Patients are primarily adults recovering from procedures that required anesthesia in an outpatient pain management setting.
Is prior pain management experience required?
Pain management experience is preferred. Prior PACU, OR, ICU, or ASC experience is also preferred.
What certifications are required?
Current BLS and ACLS certifications are required along with an active California RN license.
How does this position differ from a traditional hospital PACU job?
It centers on recovery after interventional pain procedures in an outpatient ambulatory surgery center rather than multi-specialty inpatient surgical recovery.

PACU Nurse in San Diego, CA

This full-time PACU Nurse position with California Pain in San Diego is based in an ambulatory surgery center specializing in interventional pain management. The nurse monitors vital signs and respiratory function, manages pain medication effectiveness, assesses for post-anesthesia complications, provides emotional support during emergence, and prepares patients for discharge with clear recovery instructions. The clinical setting serves adult patients recovering after outpatient pain procedures. Candidates need an active California RN license along with current BLS and ACLS certification; prior PACU, OR, ICU, or ASC experience is preferred, and pain management background is advantageous. Compensation is $55–$65 per hour and includes retirement plan options, paid time off, paid holidays, and vision insurance. The role is on-site in the San Diego area and suits nurses who prefer focused recovery work in a specialized outpatient procedural environment rather than a broad hospital PACU case mix.

Submit Application

Apply for This Position Submit your application through MedCareerHub USA