Pre Op/PACU Charge RN

Capital Surgical Solutions•Bethesda, MD

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This role involves performing pre-operative telephone assessments for surgical patients, ensuring all necessary documentation is complete before surgery. The nurse will coordinate with the Medical Director and/or on-site anesthesiologist to confirm patient suitability for a free-standing surgical center. Additionally, the position requires providing high-quality Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) nursing care, which includes physical assessments, monitoring hemodynamic and airway status, responding to clinical changes, and educating patients and families before discharge. When assigned as Charge Nurse, the individual will lead daily clinical operations across Pre-Op, Phase I, and Phase II PACU areas, ensuring appropriate staffing, workflow coordination, quality patient care, and timely escalation of issues. The role demands initiative, productivity, professionalism, teamwork, resourcefulness, and adherence to all regulatory and facility standards.

Requirements

Current Colorado or compact-state RN licensure
BLS and ACLS certification
Minimum of 2 years recent PACU nursing experience
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Responsibilities

Oversees daily operations of the Pre-Op area, ensuring adequate staffing, patient flow, and timely chart review.
Serves as the first point of contact for clinical questions from staff, anesthesia, and surgeons in the Pre-Op area.
Delegates tasks appropriately and ensures all Pre-Op duties are completed efficiently and accurately.
Provides real-time support for problem-solving, patient concerns, and coordination between front desk, anesthesia, and clinical staff.
Ensures regulatory and safety standards are maintained in Pre-Op, including documentation accuracy, infection control, and medication handling.
Leads shift huddles and communicates important updates, schedule changes, or patient considerations in Pre-Op.
Completes morning checks including refrigerator temperatures, med gas levels, glucometer and pregnancy test controls, and participates in the daily narcotic count with another RN.
Makes pre-operative calls to all patients and completes the Health Questionnaire.
Gathers required data such as labs, EKGs, and H&Ps for each patient chart.
Performs pre-operative teaching with patients.
Maintains daily logs of completed pre-op calls and reports received.
Coordinates chart review by the Medical Director and/or anesthesiologist and follows up on additional orders.
Assists the front desk with chart assembly; reviews charts for completeness and ensures appropriate discharge teaching sheets are included and signed.
Documents all communications with physician offices in the pre-op testing log.
Documents all relevant patient communications in the patient chart.
Maintains strong communication with physician offices and patients.
Ensures strict patient confidentiality.
Assists the front desk with answering phones and routing calls.
Demonstrates professionalism, ability to prioritize, and strong interpersonal skills.
Ensures all assigned job duties are completed efficiently.
Assists in Pre-Op, Phase I, or Phase II as needed during high-volume times.
Supports the goals of DOSC, including excellence in customer relations, cost containment, quality initiatives, attendance standards, professionalism, safety, and infection control compliance.
Provides oversight of PACU workflow, including assigning patient loads, managing patient throughput, and maintaining safe recovery room operations.
Serves as clinical lead for PACU staff, offering guidance on patient care, airway management, and escalation of critical changes.
Collaborates with anesthesia and surgeons to resolve clinical concerns promptly.
Addresses scheduling issues, break coverage, and redistribution of staff resources as needed.
Ensures compliance with all PACU policies, recovery scoring systems, medication management, and discharge criteria.
Monitors supply levels, organizes equipment needs, and coordinates with materials management for replenishments.
Acts as point person during emergencies and ensures staff response follows policy and established protocols.
Leads end-of-day review to ensure documentation completion, room readiness, and smooth handoff for the next operational day.
Receives report on patient status from O.R. nurse and surgeon/anesthesiologist.
Performs an initial assessment with the anesthesiologist and continues with a complete body systems assessment once the patient is stable.
Provides or directs nursing care per assessment findings or physician orders.
Recognizes and responds to respiratory, cardiac, or circulatory emergencies.
Provides emotional support, comfort measures, and education.
Provides nourishment as appropriate for patient condition.
Gives explanations and discharge instructions to patients and family members.
Collaborates with the anesthesiologist to determine discharge readiness.
Assists with physical discharge to a responsible adult.
Participates in maintaining and improving nursing practice standards.
Assists with orientation and evaluation of personnel.
Performs RN functions in Pre-Op, Phase I, and Phase II as assigned.
Maintains the recovery room in a clean, safe, and orderly manner.
Performs post-operative phone calls.
Helps keep all departments tidy and assists with linen, trash removal, and supply organization as needed.