Perioperative

Registered Nurse - Pre-Operative Services

The Pre-Operative Registered Nurse (Pre-Op RN) provides comprehensive nursing care to patients preparing for surgical and procedural interventions. The RN is responsible for completing pre-operative assessments, verifying patient readiness for surgery, and administering medications and IV therapy. The RN provides patient education and collaborates with the surgical and anesthesia teams to ensure safe and efficient progression to the operating room.

The RN performs comprehensive pre-operative nursing assessments, including medical history, allergies, medications, vital signs, and current health status. The RN verifies surgical procedure, consent forms, patient identification, surgical site, and completion of required documentation. The RN reviews laboratory results, diagnostic testing, and other pre-operative requirements, and communicates abnormal findings to the appropriate provider. The RN initiates and maintains peripheral IV access and administers IV fluids and medications as ordered. The RN completes medication reconciliation and verifies adherence to pre-operative medication instructions. The RN prepares patients physically and emotionally for surgical or procedural interventions. The RN provides education to patients and families regarding the procedure, anticipated recovery, pain management, and post-operative expectations. The RN coordinates closely with anesthesia providers, surgeons, operating room staff, PACU nurses, and other members of the interdisciplinary team. The RN recognizes changes in patient condition and initiates appropriate nursing interventions. The RN ensures completion of pre-operative checklists and required safety protocols before patient transfer to the operating room. The RN maintains accurate, timely, and complete documentation in the electronic medical record. The RN follows infection-prevention, medication-safety, patient-identification, and surgical-safety standards. The RN assists with maintaining efficient patient flow and on-time surgical starts in a fast-paced perioperative environment.

Experience: Minimum 1 year License: Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license Certifications: Current BLS certification, ACLS certification as required Must-Have: Strong IV insertion and venipuncture skills Experience caring for pre-operative surgical patients Ability to recognize and respond appropriately to changes in patient condition Strong assessment, communication, organization, and time-management skills Ability to work effectively in a high-volume, fast-paced surgical environment Preferred Experience: Previous Pre-Op/PACU experience in an acute-care hospital Experience with multiple surgical specialties Familiarity with Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols Experience working with anesthesia and surgical teams Experience with electronic medical record systems Ideal Candidate: The ideal Pre-Op RN is highly organized, clinically confident, and comfortable managing multiple patients while maintaining attention to detail. The RN should have strong IV and assessment skills and be able to identify potential concerns before surgery to ensure patients are appropriately prepared and cleared for their procedure.