Registered Nurse (RN) Pre-Admissions

OrthoNebraska•Omaha, NE

About The Position

The Registered Nurse (RN) Pre-Admissions assesses and prepares patients for surgery before their scheduled procedures. The role includes conducting pre-operative phone assessments, reviewing medical histories, coordinating required pre-surgical testing, providing patient education, completing documentation, identifying potential surgical risks, and collaborating with the surgical team to optimize patient readiness. The position is scheduled for 40 hours per week across four 10-hour shifts, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with a variable day off. An accredited nursing program graduate and a Nebraska or eligible compact-state RN license are required. A bachelor's degree is preferred, as is at least three years of medical-surgical experience with demonstrated competence in patient assessment and teaching. The role requires knowledge of pre-operative assessments, risk factors, anesthesia considerations, post-operative care plans, and electronic health record documentation. The RN works with patients and families as well as surgeons, anesthesia providers, pre-certification specialists, schedulers, and other surgical staff. The position is classified as sedentary work, involving mostly sitting and occasional brief periods of standing or walking. Candidates must pass a background check and pre-employment physical and drug screen, and obtain the required active licensure.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited school or college of nursing.
Registered Nurse license in Nebraska or an eligible compact state.
Strong understanding of pre-operative nursing assessments and risk factors.
Knowledge of anesthesia considerations and post-operative care plans.
Proficiency in electronic medical records and documentation practices.
Ability to assess laboratory results, EKGs, and other pre-surgical screening tests.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.
Excellent communication and customer service skills.
Ability to identify patients' age-specific, cultural, language, and learning needs.
Ability to collaborate with physicians, anesthesia providers, and surgical staff.
Ability to problem-solve independently and resolve conflict.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA regulations and hospital protocols.
Ability to pass a background check and pre-employment physical and drug screen.
Must obtain active licensure required for the position.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in nursing.
At least three years of medical-surgical experience with demonstrated competence in patient assessment and teaching.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive pre-operative assessments, including review of medical history, medications, allergies, and previous surgical experiences.
Coordinate pre-operative testing, including laboratory tests, imaging, EKGs, and other diagnostics; ensure results are reviewed and communicated to the surgical team.
Identify potential risks, including anesthesia concerns and comorbidities, and collaborate with providers to develop appropriate care plans.
Educate patients and families about pre-operative instructions, procedures, anesthesia, post-operative care expectations, medication management, and fasting requirements.
Address patient and family questions and concerns and provide support throughout the pre-admission process.
Work with surgeons, anesthesiologists, pre-certification specialists, and schedulers to ensure pre-operative requirements are met.
Promptly communicate changes in patient status, test results, and risk factors to the surgical team.
Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and case reviews to improve care coordination.
Ensure compliance with hospital policies, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements, including infection control, patient safety, and documentation protocols.
Maintain accurate and timely patient records in the electronic health record, including assessments, test results, education, and care plans.
Generate reports on pre-admission metrics, including readiness, testing compliance, and cancellation rates, to inform leadership of performance and improvement opportunities.
Advocate for patients and ensure their needs and concerns are addressed with patient-centered, compassionate care.
Implement safety protocols to minimize risk and improve outcomes throughout the pre-admission process.
Respond to urgent issues, such as abnormal test results or changes in patient status, and coordinate interventions and follow-up care.
Perform other duties as assigned.