Pre-Op/PACU RN

Job Description

Job Description

Registered Nurse – Pre-Op/PACU

Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Employment Type: Full-Time
Department: Pre-Operative and Post-Anesthesia Care Unit
Reports To: Clinical Director/Director of Nursing

Position Summary

True Precision Medical is seeking a compassionate, highly organized Registered Nurse to provide exceptional care to patients before and after procedures. The Pre-Op/PACU RN is responsible for preparing patients for surgery, closely monitoring patients during anesthesia recovery, managing symptoms, and ensuring patients can be discharged safely.

The ideal candidate is calm under pressure, attentive to detail, clinically confident, and committed to creating a reassuring and positive patient experience.

Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesPre -Operative Care

• Complete pre-operative nursing assessments and review patients’ medical histories, medications, allergies, laboratory results, and required clearances.
• Confirm patient identity, procedure, consent forms, NPO status, and completion of all pre-operative requirements.
• Obtain and document baseline vital signs and other required clinical information.
• Start and maintain intravenous lines and administer medications and fluids as ordered.
• Identify and promptly communicate potential safety concerns or changes in a patient’s condition.
• Educate patients and caregivers about the procedure, recovery process, discharge expectations, and post-operative care.
• Provide emotional support and help reduce patient anxiety before procedures.
• Collaborate with providers, anesthesia personnel, medical assistants, and other members of the clinical team.

PACU Care

• Receive patients following procedures and provide continuous monitoring throughout anesthesia recovery.
• Assess airway, breathing, circulation, neurological status, pain level, nausea, surgical sites, and vital signs.
• Recognize and respond promptly to changes in patient condition or potential post-anesthesia complications.
• Administer medications, oxygen, intravenous fluids, and other treatments according to provider orders and established protocols.
• Manage post-operative pain, nausea, and other symptoms while evaluating the patient’s response to treatment.
• Maintain patient safety and privacy throughout the recovery process.
• Determine discharge readiness using established criteria and provider instructions.
• Review discharge instructions, medication guidance, warning signs, and follow-up requirements with patients and their caregivers.
• Ensure patients are discharged with a responsible adult when required.
• Document all assessments, interventions, medications, education, and patient responses accurately and promptly.

Clinical and Operational Responsibilities

• Follow all infection-control, medication-safety, emergency-response, and patient-identification procedures.
• Maintain complete and accurate documentation in the electronic medical record.
• Assist with emergency situations and initiate appropriate interventions, including Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support measures when necessary.
• Verify that emergency equipment, medications, and clinical supplies are available and ready for use.
• Participate in safety checks, quality-improvement initiatives, staff meetings, and required training.
• Maintain compliance with HIPAA, OSHA, state and federal regulations, accreditation requirements, and clinic policies.
• Support room turnover, supply management, and clinical workflow as needed.
• 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 one year of recent experience in PACU, pre-op, critical care, emergency nursing, ambulatory surgery, or another relevant acute-care setting.
• Strong patient-assessment, IV-starting, medication-administration, and emergency-response skills.
• Ability to recognize subtle changes in patient condition and respond appropriately.
• Proficiency with electronic medical records and clinical documentation.
• Excellent communication, organization, teamwork, and time-management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
• Two or more years of pre-op and PACU experience.
• Experience in an ambulatory surgery center or outpatient procedural setting.
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification, if applicable to the patient population.
• Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse or Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse credential.
• Experience caring for patients receiving moderate sedation, monitored anesthesia care, or general anesthesia.

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.

What We Offer

• A supportive and collaborative clinical environment.
• Competitive compensation based on experience.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in each patient’s surgical experience.