Nurse Educator, Pre-Operative and Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

Nurse Educator Pre-Op/PACU

Responsible for developing, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating educational programs and clinical training initiatives for nursing staff and healthcare professionals within the Pre-Operative and Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) settings. Serves as a clinical resource and educator, ensuring staff competency, regulatory compliance, and adherence to evidence-based perioperative and post-anesthesia care practices. Identifies educational and professional development needs, designs learning experiences to support clinical excellence, and promotes continuous improvement in patient care outcomes. Collaborates with leadership, preceptors, and interdisciplinary teams to facilitate orientation, onboarding, competency validation, and ongoing professional development for staff.

Essential Functions

• Develop, implement, and revise orientation, education, and competency programs specific to Pre-Op and PACU clinical practice.
• Design educational curricula, training materials, and learning activities that align with evidence-based standards, regulatory requirements, and organizational goals.
• Plan, facilitate, and evaluate educational sessions, workshops, simulations, and continuing education opportunities for nursing and healthcare personnel.
• Conduct clinical competency assessments and skills validations to ensure safe and effective patient care throughout the perioperative continuum.
• Coordinate and support preceptor and mentorship programs for new hires, novice nurses, and students, fostering a positive learning environment.
• Assess learning needs and identify opportunities for professional growth and clinical development among staff.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and resource for perioperative nursing, patient preparation, anesthesia recovery, patient safety, and quality initiatives.
• Collaborate with department leadership to address performance improvement opportunities through targeted education and training.
• Maintain accurate records of educational activities, competency assessments, attendance, certifications, and learner outcomes.
• Support compliance with accreditation, regulatory, and organizational standards related to staff education and competency.

Required for All Jobs

• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all organizational policies, procedures, and standards.
• Provides indirect and direct patient care support as required to facilitate education, competency assessment, and clinical excellence.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Nursing required.

Master's Degree in Nursing preferred.

Can this role accept experience in lieu of a degree? No

Licenses and Certifications

Required

Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the applicable state.

Preferred

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Certification.

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Instructor (ACLS Instructor) Certification.

Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.

Experience

Required

23 years of clinical nursing experience, preferably in Pre-Operative, PACU, Perioperative Services, Ambulatory Surgery, Critical Care, Emergency Department, or Surgical Services.

Preferred

12 years of clinical education experience.

12 years of nursing leadership, charge nurse, preceptor, or supervisory experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

In-depth knowledge of perioperative nursing care, anesthesia recovery, and clinical nursing principles.

Strong clinical assessment, critical thinking, and patient advocacy skills.

Expertise in developing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based care practices and educational programs.

Knowledge of regulatory and accreditation requirements related to perioperative and recovery services.

Excellent communication, presentation, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.

Ability to collaborate effectively with physicians, anesthesia providers, nursing staff, patients, and families.

Leadership and coaching skills to mentor staff and foster professional development.

Proficiency with electronic health records (EHRs), learning management systems, and healthcare technology.

Ability to analyze data and identify trends to support quality improvement and educational initiatives.

Commitment to lifelong learning and staying current with advancements in nursing practice and patient care.

Working Conditions

Frequent interaction with patients, families, physicians, anesthesia providers, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams.

Exposure to clinical environments including Pre-Operative and Post-Anesthesia Care Units.

May require occasional schedule flexibility to support staff education across shifts and departmental needs.

Ability to move throughout clinical areas and demonstrate nursing skills and competencies as needed.

Preferred Specialty Certifications

Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN)

Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA)

Nursing Professional Development Certification (NPD-BC)

These certifications are preferred and support expertise in perioperative and recovery nursing education.

Additional Job Details (if applicable)

Physical Requirements

Standing Frequently (34-66%)

Walking Frequently (34-66%)

Sitting Occasionally (3-33%)

Lifting Frequently (34-66%) 35lbs+ (w/assisted device)

Carrying Frequently (34-66%) 20lbs - 35lbs

Pushing Occasionally (3-33%)

Pulling Occasionally (3-33%)

Climbing Rarely (Less than 2%)

Balancing Frequently (34-66%)

Stooping Occasionally (3-33%)

Kneeling Occasionally (3-33%)

Crouching Occasionally (3-33%)

Crawling Rarely (Less than 2%)

Reaching Frequently (34-66%)

Gross Manipulation (Handling) Frequently (34-66%)

Fine Manipulation (Fingering) Frequently (34-66%)

Feeling Constantly (67-100%)

Foot Use Rarely (Less than 2%)

Vision - Far Constantly (67-100%)

Vision - Near Constantly (67-100%)

Talking Constantly (67-100%)

Hearing Constantly (67-100%)

Remote Type

Onsite

Work Location

1153 Centre Street

Scheduled Weekly Hours

36

Employee Type

Regular

Work Shift

Day (United States of America)

Pay Range

$93,953.60 - $136,739.20/Annual

EEO Statement:

2810 Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veteran's Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Mass General Brigham Competency Framework

At Mass General Brigham, our competency framework defines what effective leadership "looks like" by specifying which behaviors are most critical for successful performance at each job level. The framework is comprised of ten competencies (half People-Focused, half Performance-Focused) and are defined by observable and measurable skills and behaviors that contribute to workplace effectiveness and career success. These competencies are used to evaluate performance, make hiring decisions, identify development needs, mobilize employees across our system, and