PRN Pre/Post Registered Nurse (RN), Ambulatory Surgery Center

PURPOSE

The Pre-Op/PACU RN is responsible for providing high-quality care to patients before and after surgical procedures. This role involves preparing patients for surgery, monitoring their recovery from anesthesia, and ensuring a smooth transition through the perioperative process. The Pre-op/PACU RN reports to the Pre-op/PACU Charge Nurse and works closely with anesthesiologists, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Prepare Patients for Surgery

• Assess patients' physical and emotional needs.
• Take and record vital signs and medical histories.
• Initiate IVs and administer pre-operative medications.

Monitor Post-Anesthesia Recovery

• Observe patients for side effects of anesthesia.
• Monitor and record patient vital signs.
• Assess patients' level of consciousness and comfort.

Administer Medications and Treatments

• Administer pain medications and other treatments as necessary.
• Change wound dressings and provide post-operative care.
• Ensure patients receive appropriate pain management.

Coordinate Patient Care

• Communicate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare professionals.
• Coordinate patient admissions, transfers, and discharges.
• Provide detailed handovers to the next shift.

Educate Patients and Families

• Provide pre- and post-operative care instructions to patients and their families.
• Answer questions and address concerns regarding surgery and recovery.
• Offer emotional support and reassurance.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing
• Active Texas RN license
• 2+ years pre- or post-op experience in pre-operative or post-anesthesia care.
• Flexibility in days and hours available to work

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in Nursing
• 3+ years pre- or post-op experience in pre-operative or post-anesthesia care.
• Certification in Post-Anesthesia Nursing (CPAN) and Basic Life Support (BLS).
• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• Experience in an ambulatory surgery center.

SALARY RANGE

$47.30/hr + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Work hours are variable based on patient care needs but are generally Monday-Friday
• Ability to sit and stand for prolong periods of time, ability to walk, some bending, stooping and stretching
• Ability to perform overhead and low reaching activities
• Requires hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to provide patient are and operate a keyboard, photocopier, telephone, and occasional use of other office equipment;
• Requires normal range of hearing/eyesight/voice projection to record, prepare, and communicate appropriately; 
• Physical strength for equipment needs and patient care activities; may require frequent lifting/moving up to 50 pounds and occasional lifting/moving in excess of 50 pounds;
• Ability to move quickly in response to patient needs
• Exposure to noisy equipment 
• Subject to varying and unpredictable situations, high stress/pressure, handles emergency or crisis situations, regular interaction with emotional patients and/or family members
• Work is performed in a patient care setting and may involve exposure to infections, communicable diseases and hazardous materials, radiation/laser, waste gases and blood and body fluids. Frequent exposure to water and chemicals used in disinfection/sterilization process

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.