Pre-Anesthesia Nurse (RN) Navigator

Gunnison Valley Health•Gunnison, CO

About The Position

Gunnison Valley Health is seeking a Pre-Anesthesia Nurse (RN) Navigator to coordinate and guide surgical patients through the pre-anesthesia testing process. The role serves as the dedicated navigator and single point of contact for each patient, helping ensure the pre-anesthesia process is completed smoothly and supporting compassionate, high-quality care. As part of the Operating Room team, the nurse completes holistic preoperative screenings, reviews medical records, obtains information from outside providers, and orders, tracks, and reviews indicated preoperative tests. The nurse applies risk stratification to help determine testing and evaluation timing, and provides patients and families with education about preparation, NPO instructions, smoking cessation, and other expectations before procedures. This is a full-time position in Gunnison, Colorado. Compensation is $36.50–$56.58 per hour, depending on experience. Nurses may increase compensation through the Clinical Ladder Program, which recognizes organizational engagement, professional development, leadership, and contributions to quality and patient safety.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or associate degree in nursing (RN) from an accredited school.
At least 2 years of recent RN experience.
Current Colorado state or compact nursing license.
BLS and ACLS certifications.

Nice To Haves

BSN preferred.
Perioperative, PACU, critical care, medical-surgical, or ambulatory surgery experience strongly preferred.
Experience with pre-anesthesia or preoperative assessment, protocol-based order entry, and Epic or a comparable EHR preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as the dedicated navigator and single point of contact guiding each surgical patient through the pre-anesthesia testing process.
Complete holistic preoperative screenings, including review of history, diagnoses, medications, allergies, risk factors, and functional, psychosocial, language, or learning needs.
Review medical records and obtain results from outside providers in advance of surgery.
Order, track, and review indicated preoperative tests, including laboratory studies, ECG, and imaging.
Apply risk stratification to determine testing, timing of evaluation, and the need for anesthesia.
Educate patients and families on preoperative preparation, NPO instructions, smoking cessation, and other pre-procedure expectations.

Benefits

Competitive salary.
Medical, dental, and vision plans.
Employer-matched retirement plan, with the match increasing with years of service and matching starting on day one.
Dependent care matching plan.
Up to $250 in the first year toward a Lifestyle Spending Account.
Tuition reimbursement and a culture that values continuing education.
Paid time off, accruing at 10.77% in the first year and increasing with years of service.
Employee Assistance Program access to mental health, financial health, wellness, and life coaching.
Free nutrition consultations.
Discounted fitness membership at Western Colorado University Fieldhouse.
Clinical Ladder Program offering opportunities to increase compensation.
Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.