Department Profiles for
Peri-Anesthesia – St. Josephs Medical Center
Tacoma, WA

# of beds: The Surgical Suite has 15 O.R.’s. The Post Anesthesia Care Unit
is comprised of 16 open bays and 1 isolation room

What: The Peri-Anesthesia services encompasses 3 independent
departments working together to provide a seamless experience for our
surgical patients.
o The Pre-anesthesia screening clinic (PAC) interviews patients 1 week
to 1 day prior to their scheduled surgery.
o The Surgical Admit/Discharge Unit (SADU) admits patients on the
day of the surgery and ensures readiness for surgery. Outpatients
are discharged from here after they have been through the PACU.
The focus in this area is providing an excellent patient experience by
providing thorough and readily understandable patient teaching.
o The Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) is responsible for the
immediate post operative phase for the patient, requiring intensive
care experience with strong assessment and critical thinking skills.

Patient Care Team: Each unit performs their functions independently and
the members of these departments must work together. All three
departments work in conjunction with each other and the operating rooms.
This interdependence is the basis for the Surgical Services teamwork.

Shift Rotations: Varied shifts and hours. We schedule 8-& 12 hour shifts.
PACU is staffed on call for nights and weekends.

Experience: Must have RN or CNA license to work in the PAC and SAU.
ACLS is required.RNs assigned to PACU must have PACU or ICU experience
or have completed a residency program in Peri-anesthesia.

Key Skills for success: Strong work ethic, ability to function
independently and as a team player, supportive of peers. Must be flexible
and adaptable. Works well under pressure, is a strong patient advocate and
desire to be part of dynamic team