Registered Nurse (RN) - Total Joint Nurse Navigator & Pre Surgical Assessment

Riverside Health System•Smithfield, VA

11d•$37 - $50•Hybrid

About The Position

This hybrid position combines the roles of Total Joint Nurse Navigator and Pre Surgical Assessment Nurse. The nurse assesses patients’ clinical and psychosocial needs, reviews medical histories, medications, allergies, and diagnostic results, and identifies perioperative risks. The role coordinates preoperative testing and consultations, collaborates with surgeons and anesthesia providers, and ensures patient readiness and relevant considerations are communicated to the care team. The nurse educates patients and caregivers about surgical preparation, medication management, NPO guidelines, arrival and recovery expectations, discharge instructions, rehabilitation, and follow-up. The role supports patients through the total joint treatment continuum, including post-surgical follow-up, and helps ensure safe transitions of care. The position also supports leadership, quality, and process improvement for the Hip and Knee Replacement Program. Responsibilities include facilitating program education and staff development, helping standardize care processes, participating in committees, supporting accreditation review preparation, and ensuring applicable quality reporting requirements are met. The nurse documents assessments and patient interactions accurately and promptly in the electronic medical record and escalates significant findings or unresolved concerns appropriately.

Requirements

Nursing Diploma (ADN or BSN) or program graduate; if a program graduate, a high school diploma is required.
At least 2 years of Registered Nurse experience.
Registered Nurse (RN) license from the Virginia Department of Health Professions or a compact state, required upon hire.
CPR/BLS certification from the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or American Safety and Health Institute, required upon hire.
ACLS Provider certification from the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or American Safety and Health Institute, required within 90 days.
General clerical skills, including use of a computer, copier/scanner/fax machine, and conference phones.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Precise written and verbal communication skills.
Problem-solving skills.
Organizational skills and attention to detail.
Time management skills.

Nice To Haves

At least 1 year of experience in Surgical Services or an orthopedic setting.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive preoperative nursing assessments, including medical history, medication review, and allergy verification.
Review diagnostic results, such as laboratory tests, EKGs, and chest X-rays, and identify potential perioperative risks.
Collaborate with anesthesia providers and surgeons regarding medical clearance and patient readiness.
Coordinate required consultations, including cardiology and endocrinology, and ensure preoperative testing is scheduled and completed on time.
Communicate patient readiness, special considerations, and outstanding needs to surgical, anesthesia, and preoperative teams.
Educate patients and caregivers about surgical preparation, NPO guidelines, medication management, arrival instructions, procedures, and immediate recovery.
Take proactive steps to reduce same-day cancellations and complications.
Complete preoperative screening calls, appointments, and documentation accurately and in a timely manner.
Assess patient condition, history, and needs through chart review, telephone, and in-person interactions to support optimization for surgery or procedures.
Identify significant findings, escalate them promptly to appropriate care team members, and ensure follow-up; escalate to leadership when needed.
Organize daily activities to balance quality care with efficient use of time and resources.
Document clinical findings, patient and caregiver interactions, and matters requiring anesthesia review in accordance with RHS standards and regulatory requirements.
Collaborate with providers, physicians, advanced practice providers, nursing leadership, therapy staff, and support services to address patient needs, barriers, and changes in assessment and care.
Guide patients and families through the treatment continuum and coordinate care, rehabilitation, and transitions to the next care setting.
Contact total joint replacement patients at intervals after surgery to reinforce discharge instructions, medications, rehabilitation and recovery plans, and follow-up appointments.
Lead and support the Hip and Knee Replacement Program, including standardization of processes across the care continuum.
Represent the Hip and Knee Replacement Program on hospital committees and lead pertinent collaborative committees as appropriate.
Facilitate total joint replacement education and staff development.
Facilitate performance improvement activity for the total joint program and help prepare the organization for accreditation certification review surveys.
Monitor applicable patient populations and ensure facility quality reporting program requirements for total joint replacement procedures are met.
Evaluate patient and caregiver comprehension of instructions and document accordingly; respond to questions about pre-procedure and preoperative instructions.