Position Summary / Career Interest:

The pre-operative assessment nurse is responsible for pre-op interviews, screening, and pre-op teaching/education of patients undergoing surgical or other invasive procedures with or without anesthesia/sedation in the Main Surgery and Ambulatory Surgery Center to assure that the patient is properly prepared for the experience. This nurse via telephone collects comprehensive health histories and develops a plan of care designed to meet the pre-anesthesia, physical, psychological, educational, socio-cultural, and spiritual needs of the patient, family, and significant other. Prepares the patient/family/significant other for his or her experience throughout the peri-anesthesia continuum. Has excellent interviewing and assessment skills that are used to identify potential or actual problems that may occur. Responsible for retrieval and review of pre-op testing. Pre-screens patients using set criteria to assess if further evaluation is needed prior to surgery by surgeon, anesthesiologist, or other discipline. Recognizes and manages identified problems to minimize cancellations of the surgery or procedure. Communicates any issues to physicians and other members of the healthcare team to ensure the highest quality patient care is provided.


Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions

• Consistently meets work schedule.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care/service appropriate to the age and population of patients served.
• Demonstrates proficiency in using order communication systems, computerized documentation, and other computer technology as appropriate to the unit specific needs.
• Provides concurrent, accurate and legible documentation in the medical record consistent with hospital polices.
• Demonstrates knowledge of anesthetic agents/adjuncts and techniques to adequately screen patients and provide necessary pre-op teaching.
• Identifies actual and potential risks or problems. Initiates appropriate action to minimize or prevent complications, cancellations, or delays. Evaluates and adjusts nursing plan of care to achieve the best patient outcomes.
• Provides appropriate pre-op/pre-procedural patient teaching and discharge planning to ensure the patient and family are prepared for the procedure and post-op care.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills to perform a comprehensive pre-op interview and evaluation to include pre-op screening/testing, assessment/health history, identification of potential complications and appropriate interventions.
• Prioritizes and coordinates work load to consistently achieve productivity goals for the unit (minimum of 10 completed interviews/8 hour shift).
• Collaborates and communicates with Surgery Scheduling staff to assure department schedules are accurate with the planned procedure and physician orders.
• Must be able to perform the professional, clinical and or technical competencies of the assigned unit or department.
• These statements are intended to describe the essential functions of the job and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Skills and duties may vary dependent upon your department or unit. Other duties may be assigned as required.

Required Education and Experience

• Associate Degree Nursing
• 1 or more years of relevant experience

Preferred Education and Experience

• Perianesthesia experience

Required Licensure and Certification

• Licensed Registered Nurse (LRN) - Single State - State Board of Nursing upon Hire OR
• Licensed Registered Nurse (LRN) - Multi-State - State Board of Nursing upon Hire
• CPR/ AED/ BLS - Other BLS within 14 days

Preferred Licensure and Certification

• Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse - American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification, Inc. (ABPANC)

We are an equal employment opportunity employer without regard to a person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), national origin, ancestry, age (40 or older), disability, veteran status or genetic information.