Moderate Sedation RN

Job Description

Job Description

Registered Nurse – Moderate Sedation

Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Employment Type: Full-Time
Department: Surgical/Procedural Services
Reports To: Charge Nurse/Director of Nursing

Position Summary

True Precision Medical is seeking an experienced and attentive Registered Nurse to provide nursing care for patients receiving moderate sedation during outpatient procedures. The Moderate Sedation RN is responsible for assessing and preparing patients, administering medications as ordered and permitted, continuously monitoring patients during procedures, recognizing changes in patient condition, and supporting safe recovery and discharge.

The ideal candidate has strong critical-care assessment skills, is proficient in IV medication administration and airway monitoring, and can remain focused and composed during urgent situations. This nurse will work closely with physicians, procedural staff, and recovery personnel to provide safe, compassionate, and efficient care.

Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesPre -Procedure Care

• Complete and document a comprehensive pre-procedure nursing assessment.
• Review the patient’s medical history, medications, allergies, laboratory results, previous anesthesia or sedation experiences, and required medical clearances.
• Confirm patient identity, planned procedure, informed consent, NPO status, responsible adult availability, and completion of all pre-procedure requirements.
• Obtain and document baseline vital signs, oxygen saturation, level of consciousness, pain level, and other required clinical information.
• Identify potential sedation risks and promptly communicate concerns to the procedural provider.
• Start and maintain intravenous access.
• Confirm the availability and proper functioning of oxygen, suction, monitoring devices, emergency equipment, reversal medications, and resuscitation supplies.
• Educate patients and caregivers about the procedure, sedation process, recovery expectations, discharge requirements, and post-procedure restrictions.
• Provide reassurance and emotional support to patients before their procedures.

Moderate Sedation and Intra-Procedure Care

• Administer moderate-sedation medications and analgesics according to provider orders, facility policy, professional standards, documented competency, and the Arizona RN scope of practice.
• Continuously monitor the patient’s respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac rhythm, level of consciousness, pain, and response to medications.
• Use capnography and other monitoring equipment when required by facility policy, the patient’s condition, or the procedure being performed.
• Maintain continuous observation of the patient throughout the sedation period.
• Document medication names, dosages, administration times, vital signs, sedation level, oxygen delivery, interventions, and patient responses at required intervals.
• Recognize signs of over-sedation, respiratory depression, airway obstruction, hemodynamic instability, allergic reaction, or other complications.
• Perform airway-support interventions and initiate emergency-response measures when necessary.
• Administer reversal medications according to provider orders, approved protocols, and facility policy.
• Maintain current competency in airway management and the rescue of patients who progress to a deeper-than-intended level of sedation.
• Immediately notify the procedural provider of significant changes in the patient’s condition.
• Advocate for the patient and request that the procedure be paused or stopped when necessary for patient safety.
• Remain focused on patient monitoring and avoid unrelated responsibilities that could interfere with continuous observation during sedation.
• Collaborate with the provider and procedural team to support a safe and efficient procedure.

Post-Procedure and Recovery Care

• Continue monitoring the patient until the effects of sedation have sufficiently resolved.
• Assess airway, breathing, circulation, neurological status, pain, nausea, procedural sites, and vital signs throughout recovery.
• Administer oxygen, intravenous fluids, medications, and other treatments as ordered.
• Evaluate and document the patient’s response to medications and nursing interventions.
• Determine whether the patient meets established discharge criteria and promptly report concerns to the provider.
• Provide patients and caregivers with written and verbal discharge instructions.
• Review medication guidance, activity restrictions, dietary instructions, warning signs, emergency contact information, and follow-up requirements.
• Confirm that the patient has a responsible adult available for transportation and post-procedure supervision when required.
• Complete the final handoff or discharge documentation accurately and promptly.

Safety, Quality, and Compliance

• Follow all medication-safety, infection-control, patient-identification, emergency-response, and documentation requirements.
• Complete controlled-substance documentation and medication reconciliation according to facility policy.
• Verify that emergency medications, reversal agents, equipment, and supplies are present and within expiration dates.
• Participate in emergency drills, competency assessments, quality-improvement activities, audits, and required education.
• Report adverse events, medication variances, equipment issues, and patient-safety concerns promptly.
• Maintain compliance with HIPAA, OSHA, Arizona Board of Nursing requirements, applicable regulatory and accreditation standards, and facility policies.
• Maintain patient privacy, dignity, and confidentiality throughout the care process.
• Perform additional duties within the RN scope of practice as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse license in the State of Arizona or a valid multistate compact license.
• Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
• Current Basic Life Support certification.
• Current Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support certification.
• At least two years of recent nursing experience in moderate sedation, procedural nursing, PACU, critical care, emergency nursing, operating-room nursing, or a comparable acute-care setting.
• Demonstrated competency in moderate-sedation monitoring and medication administration.
• Proficiency in IV placement, airway assessment, oxygen delivery, emergency intervention, and patient recovery.
• Ability to identify and respond to respiratory depression, airway obstruction, hemodynamic instability, and other sedation-related complications.
• Knowledge of reversal medications and emergency-response protocols.
• Strong clinical judgment, critical-thinking, communication, organization, and documentation skills.
• Proficiency with electronic medical records and clinical monitoring equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
• Three or more years of moderate-sedation or procedural nursing experience.
• Experience in an ambulatory surgery center or outpatient procedural setting.
• Experience with capnography and cardiac monitoring.
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification, if applicable to the patient population.
• Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse, Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse, Certified Perioperative Nurse, Critical Care Registered Nurse, or Certified Emergency Nurse credential.
• Experience with the procedures and patient population served by the facility.

Schedule

• Monday-Friday: 7:00AM-3:30PM
• Schedule may vary according to procedure volume and patient-care needs.
• Occasional early-morning, extended, or additional hours may be required.

Compensation and Benefits

• Expected pay range: $42–$50 per hour , based on moderate-sedation experience, procedural nursing experience, certifications, and employment status.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• A predictable outpatient schedule in a supportive and collaborative clinical environment.