PRE-OP/PACU Registered Nurse

Jax Spine & Pain Centers•Jacksonville, FL

19h

About The Position

Centurion Surgery Center is seeking an experienced, patient-focused PRE-OP/PACU Registered Nurse for its ambulatory surgery team. This dual-role position provides nursing care across the surgical experience, from preoperative preparation through post-anesthesia recovery. The nurse also serves as a circulating nurse during surgical procedures, supporting patient safety, clinical excellence, and positive outcomes in outpatient surgical care. In the preoperative role, the nurse verifies patient identity, procedure and site details, safety assessments, clinical readiness, required documentation, consents, orders, and pre-anesthesia and surgical requirements. The nurse assesses the patient, prepares them for surgery, administers ordered treatments, provides education, communicates concerns, and completes a safe handoff to the operative team. The Pre-Op RN serves as a final clinical safety checkpoint and escalates unresolved concerns before the patient proceeds. In the PACU role, the nurse receives patients following anesthesia or sedation and continuously assesses and monitors their recovery. Responsibilities include managing pain and other symptoms, administering ordered medications and treatments, recognizing and responding to complications, educating patients and caregivers, and confirming discharge readiness against facility criteria. The PACU RN is responsible for safe recovery and ensuring clinical concerns are addressed before discharge. The nurse accurately documents perioperative and postoperative care in the electronic medical record, collaborates with surgeons, anesthesia providers, surgical technologists, and other team members, and maintains compliance with applicable standards and company policies. The role also supports quality improvement and a culture of patient safety.

Requirements

Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license.
Current BLS and ACLS certifications.
Strong assessment, critical thinking, and clinical decision-making skills.
Knowledge of perioperative nursing standards, sterile technique, and post-anesthesia recovery care.
Proficiency with electronic medical records (EMR).

Nice To Haves

Minimum of two years of preoperative, PACU, or critical care experience is preferred.
Previous Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) experience.
Experience with outpatient orthopedic, spine, pain management, or interventional procedures.
Experience with moderate sedation recovery and fluoroscopic procedures.

Responsibilities

Verify patient identity, scheduled procedure, operative site, surgeon, laterality, allergies, identification bands, and required safety assessments.
Verify and complete preoperative documentation, including the History & Physical, day-of-surgery reassessment, consents, orders, nursing assessment, and EMR records; escalate deficiencies before the patient proceeds.
Assess and document baseline vital signs, pain, height, weight, medical and surgical history, medication reconciliation, NPO status, and relevant changes or conditions.
Prepare patients for procedures, secure belongings, establish IV access, administer ordered fluids, medications and antibiotics, and complete indicated skin preparation and prophylactic measures.
Confirm anesthesia and surgical readiness, including required assessments, site marking, equipment, implants, medications, blood products, and other patient-specific needs.
Educate patients about the preoperative process and postoperative expectations, address questions, maintain privacy, and verify transportation arrangements when required.
Provide a thorough standardized handoff to the OR/procedure-room nurse and ensure safe transport to the operative environment.
Serve as a circulating nurse during surgical procedures.
Receive PACU handoffs and assess and continuously monitor airway, breathing, circulation, neurological status, consciousness, vital signs, oxygenation, and other parameters appropriate to the patient's condition.
Assess procedure sites, dressings, drains, devices, IV sites, fluids, and medications; maintain fall and stretcher safety precautions.
Assess and manage pain, nausea, and other postoperative symptoms; administer ordered medications, reassess responses, and monitor for adverse effects.
Provide procedure-specific postoperative care, monitor for complications, assist with fluids and activity when appropriate, and manage IV therapy according to orders and patient readiness.
Recognize and respond to emergencies or changes in condition, initiate emergency protocols, notify providers, and participate in transfer to a higher level of care when necessary.
Assess patients against approved PACU discharge criteria, verify required documentation and orders, and escalate concerns when criteria are not met.
Review discharge instructions with patients and responsible adults, including medications, pain management, wound care, activity, diet, precautions, and signs requiring medical attention.
Complete PACU documentation accurately and in real time, including assessments, vital signs, interventions, medications, responses, education, and discharge condition.
Verify required prescriptions, instructions, belongings, and patient-specific materials are provided; assist with dressing, ambulation, transfer, and discharge as appropriate.
Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesia providers, surgical technologists, and interdisciplinary team members to deliver safe, efficient patient care.
Maintain compliance with AAAHC, CMS, OSHA, HIPAA, infection prevention standards, and company policies.
Participate in quality improvement initiatives and support patient safety and continuous improvement.