Operating Room Scheduler (RN) - Ambulatory Surgery Center - Days

VCU Health • Short Pump, VA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Operating Room Scheduler is a licensed Registered Nurse who coordinates and manages surgical scheduling for inpatient, outpatient, and ambulatory procedures. This role ensures timely, accurate, and efficient scheduling while maintaining compliance with clinical protocols and patient safety standards. The RN leverages clinical judgment and critical thinking to optimize surgical workflows and enhance communication between clinic schedulers, providers, and surgical teams.

Requirements

• Current RN licensure in Virginia or eligible or compact state
• Current RN licensure in Virginia, AHA BLS HCP Certification or equivalent
• Diploma or Associates Degree from a professional nursing program recognized and/or approved by the corresponding state’s Board of Nursing.
• All registered nurses without a Bachelor's degree in Nursing (or higher) will be required to enroll in an approved RN to BSN program within two years of their start date and to complete the program within five years of their start date unless grandfathered under previous requirements.
• Organizes work and delegates and supervises others (RN's, LPN's, Care Partners, Unit Secretaries, etc.) in carrying out assignments.
• Follows documented physician/licensed independent provider orders.
• Practices within the boundaries of the regulations governing the practice of nursing in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Practice is guided by the ANA Code of Ethics for Nursing and established national nursing practice standards.
• All practice is guided by and follows the VCUHS policies and procedures and established practice.
• Lifting 20-50 lbs.
• Exposure to potentially hazardous and infectious substances
• Prolonged standing
• Prolonged sitting
• Frequent bending
• Walking (distance)
• Climbing (steps, ladder, other)
• Reaching (overhead, extensive, repetitive)
• Strong recall
• Reasoning
• Problem solving
• Hearing
• Speak clearly
• Write legibly
• Reading
• Logical thinking
• Fast pace environment
• Steady pace
• Able to handle multiple priorities
• Frequent and intense customer interactions
• Noisy environment

Nice To Haves

• Experience as an LPN, nursing assistant or care partner in either an acute care setting or as applicable to area of practice
• Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (or higher) from an accredited program
• Certification in specialty area
• 12 to 24 months RN experience
• 3 years of clinical experience
• Academic Health Care Experience; Experience with similar patient population in either an acute care setting or as applicable to area of practice

Responsibilities

• Reviewing patient charts and clinical documentation to assess readiness and appropriateness for surgery, scheduling inpatient, outpatient, and ambulatory surgical procedures based on physician orders, patient condition, and operating room availability, and ensuring alignment with clinical protocols, resource capacity, and patient safety standards.
• Proactively identifying surgical cases appropriate for robotic-assisted procedures by reviewing patient charts, surgeon preferences, and clinical criteria.
• Collaborating with surgical teams to coordinate available robotic block time, ensuring optimal utilization of robotic systems.
• Balancing scheduling needs between robotic and non-robotic cases to maximize operating room efficiency, reduce downtime, and support strategic growth in minimally invasive surgical services.
• Establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with surgeons, anesthesiologists, perioperative nurses, and administrative staff to ensure seamless coordination of surgical logistics.
• Acting as a central point of communication to align scheduling priorities, anticipate resource needs, and resolve conflicts.
• Collaborating closely with surgical teams to understand their preferences and procedural patterns, enabling strategic optimization of block time and improved operating room utilization.
• Managing cancellations, reschedules, and urgent add-ons while notifying all affected parties promptly.
• Backfilling with appropriate patients and procedures.
• Assisting in the orientation and ongoing training of new and existing scheduling staff, ensuring familiarity with surgical protocols, scheduling systems, and departmental workflows.
• Sharing clinical insights to enhance team understanding of procedure requirements, patient preparation, and interdepartmental coordination.
• Participating in process improvement initiatives and helping identify training needs to promote efficiency, accuracy, and professional growth within the scheduling team.
• Supporting the Scheduling and Optimization Manager in the development, review, and revision of scheduling policies and procedures to ensure alignment with clinical standards, regulatory requirements, and operational goals.
• Providing frontline insights to help shape best practices for surgical scheduling, block utilization, patient preparation, and interdepartmental coordination.
• Collaborating with nursing leadership and surgical services to identify gaps, recommend improvements, and support implementation of updated protocols.
• Collecting, reviewing, and analyzing scheduling data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement in surgical operations.
• Monitoring key performance indicators such as block utilization, first-case on-time starts, cancellation rates, and case volume distribution.
• Using data insights to support decision-making, optimize scheduling practices, and contribute to strategic planning initiatives.
• Collaborating with perioperative leadership to present findings and recommend actionable solutions that enhance patient flow, resource allocation, and overall surgical throughput.
• Will assist in operating room as needed

Benefits

• $10,000 sign-on bonus for offers accepted by May 31, 2026. Terms and conditions apply
• Monday-Friday day shift hours- No holidays, no weekends, no call!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees