PRE-OP/PACU Registered Nurse

Jax Spine & Pain Centers•Jacksonville, FL

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 throughout 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 outpatient outcomes. In the preoperative role, the RN verifies patient identity, procedure and site, documentation, consents, orders, medical readiness, and required safety measures. The nurse completes assessments and documentation, prepares patients for procedures, administers ordered medications and fluids, communicates concerns to the surgical and anesthesia teams, educates patients, and provides a thorough handoff before transfer to the OR. In the PACU role, the RN receives patients after anesthesia or sedation, assesses and monitors their condition, manages pain and other postoperative needs, responds to complications, and determines readiness for discharge using facility criteria. The nurse educates patients and responsible adults, completes required documentation, and ensures safe discharge. The role also includes collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, compliance with applicable standards and policies, and participation in quality improvement and patient-safety initiatives.

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 preoperative H&P, day-of-surgery update, consents, orders, and required documentation; identify and escalate deficiencies before the patient proceeds.
Complete preoperative assessments, including vital signs, pain, height and weight, medication reconciliation, medical and anesthesia history, NPO status, and screening for relevant health concerns.
Prepare patients for procedures, secure belongings, initiate IV access, administer ordered fluids, medications, and antibiotics, and complete ordered skin preparation and prophylactic measures.
Confirm anesthesia assessment, surgeon documentation and site marking when applicable, and availability of patient-specific equipment, medications, implants, or other needs.
Communicate clinical concerns and provide preoperative education; verify transportation arrangements when required.
Complete a standardized handoff and ensure documentation is complete before safe transfer to the OR or procedure room.
Receive PACU handoff and assess and monitor airway, breathing, circulation, neurological status, consciousness, vital signs, oxygenation, and other parameters appropriate to the patient's condition.
Assess surgical sites, dressings, drains, devices, IV sites, fluids, medications, and patient safety needs; promptly identify and escalate changes in condition.
Assess and manage pain, nausea, and other symptoms; administer ordered medications, reassess outcomes, use comfort measures when appropriate, and monitor for adverse effects.
Provide procedure-specific postoperative care, including assessment of circulation, sensation, and movement when applicable; monitor for complications and support fluids and activity as appropriate.
Recognize and respond to postoperative emergencies, initiate protocols, notify providers, maintain competency with emergency equipment and procedures, and participate in transfer to a higher level of care when necessary.
Assess patients against facility discharge criteria and ensure required clinical criteria, documentation, and provider orders are in place before discharge.
Provide and document postoperative and discharge education for patients and responsible adults, including medications, wound care, activity, diet, precautions, warning signs, and follow-up contact information.
Complete accurate, real-time EMR documentation of assessments, vital signs, medications, interventions, responses, education, and discharge condition; ensure required prescriptions, instructions, belongings, and materials are provided.
Safely assist with dressing, ambulation, transfer, and discharge, and document the responsible adult and departure method when required.
Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesia providers, surgical technologists, and interdisciplinary team members to deliver safe, efficient care.
Maintain compliance with AAAHC, CMS, OSHA, HIPAA, infection prevention standards, and Company policies.
Participate in quality improvement initiatives and support a culture of patient safety and continuous improvement.