Registered Nurse Prep/PACU - Ambulatory Surgical Center - Full Time

RN Prep/PACU

This position will work full time at 36 hours per week

Come work where we specialize in you! We have nearly 2,000 reasons for you to consider a career with Prevea Health—they're our employees. We're an organization that values kindness, responsibility, inclusivity, wellness and inspiration. At Prevea, we provide continuous education, training and support so every member of the team contributes to our success. Together we are the best place to get care and the best place to give care.

Job Summary
At Prevea Health the Prep/PACU Nurse provides comprehensive care to surgical patients before and after their procedures, including assessing physical and emotional needs, administering medications, starting IVs, monitoring vital signs, and educating patients and families on post-operative care. This involves preparing patients for surgery and assisting them with the transition from anesthesia to an awake state in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), as well as preparing them for discharge.

What you will do

• Monitor vital signs and patient responses to interventions, documenting and communicating findings to the appropriate team members.
• Perform patient teaching and post-operative follow-up to ensure understanding of procedures, recovery, and discharge instructions.
• Assess patient needs based on preadmission history, scheduled procedures, and physician preferences. Provide education and preparation to ensure patients are ready for surgery.
• Complete accurate, concise, and timely charting; relay special requests and pertinent information to the appropriate personnel to ensure coordinated care.
• Initiate IVs, verify operative consents, and perform order entry based on surgeon preference. Maintain and update physician order sets, smart phrases, and discharge instructions in EPIC.
• Conduct chart reviews and post-operative calls, with occasional pre-admission calls as needed, while managing all other patient communications to support safe, efficient, and patient-centered care.
• Deliver high-quality patient care across pre-procedure, intra-procedure, and post-procedure phases, ensuring safety, comfort, and adherence to discharge criteria.
• Develop and implement individualized plans of care based on nursing assessments, diagnoses, and established standards of practice.
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of infection control practices and function effectively in emergency or high-stress situations.
• Maintain respect and professionalism in all interactions with patients, families, and colleagues. Provide instruction and feedback to float personnel, students, and new employees.

Education Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited and approved Nursing program Required
• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing Preferred

Experience Qualifications

• 1-3 years Previous experience working on an Electronic Medical Record Preferred
• 1-3 years Previous experience in preop, PACU and discharge Preferred

Skills and Abilities

• Understanding the different types of anesthesia and the effects of anesthetic agents and sedatives is critical. Nurses also need to be familiar with the various surgical procedures to anticipate potential complications.
• Comprehensive knowledge of medications used during and after surgery including analgesics, sedatives and reversal agents.
• In-depth understanding of the human body's systems, with a particular focus on how surgery and anesthesia can affect the cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological systems.
• Knowledge of ASC policies and procedures, and national patient safety goals, as well as an understanding of quality improvement processes.
• The ability to quickly and accurately assess a patient's condition, including vital signs, airway patency, pain level, and neurological status.
• Proficiency in initiating and managing intravenous therapy, including medication and blood product administration.
• The skill to interpret complex hemodynamic monitoring, electrocardiograms, and oxygen saturation levels to identify changes that could impact the patient.
• The skill to manage airways, including readiness to assist with intubation as well as management of laryngospasms or bronchospasms.
• Skillfully communicating with patients, families, surgeons, and anesthesiologists to provide and coordinate care.
• Effectively providing clear and concise instructions to patients and families regarding their pre-operative and post-operative care.
• The ability to assess, manage and evaluated the effectiveness of pain relief strategies.
• The ability to synthesize and analyze patient inf