RN: Surgical Services Specialty RN

Pagosa Springs Medical Center•Pagosa Springs, CO

1d•$33 - $51•Onsite

About The Position

Pagosa Springs Medical Center (PSMC) is seeking an experienced RN: Surgical Services Specialty RN to join our growing Pain Management and Surgical Services team. This unique role combines advanced clinical nursing with patient navigation, care coordination, and specialty program development. Working closely with specialty physicians, surgeons, nurse anesthetists, medical assistants, schedulers, clinic staff, and surgical leadership, the Specialty RN coordinates seamless patient care from the initial clinic consultation through surgery, recovery, and follow-up. The Surgical Services Specialty RN serves as the primary clinical resource and nurse navigator for assigned specialty service lines. This position helps ensure exceptional patient experiences, timely coordination of care, patient and family education, and continuity across clinic and surgical settings. The RN also follows up daily on outstanding patient orders, referrals, and prior authorizations.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited Registered Nursing program required
Current Colorado Registered Nurse license in good standing
Current AHA BLS certification for Healthcare Providers
Current ACLS certification or successful completion of the next available course within three months of hire
Excellent clinical assessment and critical-thinking skills
Strong organizational and care coordination abilities
Outstanding communication and patient education skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Ability to work independently while collaborating across multiple departments
Proficiency with electronic health records
Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
Strong judgment, initiative, accountability, and attention to detail

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred
Five years of outpatient and/or hospital nursing experience preferred
Experience in surgical services, pain management, perioperative nursing, orthopedics, ambulatory surgery, or specialty clinic care strongly preferred
Previous patient navigation or care coordination experience highly desirable
Cerner EHR experience preferred

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary nurse navigator for assigned specialty service lines
Coordinate patient care from the initial consultation through surgery, recovery, and follow-up
Ensure continuity of care across clinic and surgical settings
Follow up daily on referrals, prior authorizations, test results, and outstanding patient orders
Coordinate communication between patients, providers, and multidisciplinary care teams
Ensure patients’ follow-up appointments are scheduled appropriately
Monitor patient portal, telephone, and departmental message queues and respond in a timely manner
Perform comprehensive nursing assessments and ongoing patient evaluations
Develop and implement individualized nursing care plans
Initiate and direct treatments within the RN scope of practice
Administer medications safely and document care accurately
Monitor patients for changes in condition and communicate abnormal findings promptly
Perform patient triage, medication reconciliation, and comprehensive electronic health record documentation
Assist with specialty procedures, surgical preparation, and post-procedure care
Maintain medical and surgical asepsis and create sterile fields when appropriate
Apply age-specific nursing principles throughout the continuum of care
Educate patients and families regarding medical conditions and diagnoses, treatment plans, diagnostic and surgical procedures, pain management, medications, durable medical equipment, post-procedure and postoperative care, and rehabilitation goals and recovery strategies
Reinforce provider instructions, assess patient understanding, and develop teaching plans based on identified learning needs
Collaborate with surgeons, specialty providers, nurse anesthetists, clinic staff, and Surgical Services leadership
Coordinate referrals, imaging, laboratory testing, and specialty consultations
Review chart preparation, orders, insurance authorizations, and required testing
Complete medication and procedure-related prior authorizations
Monitor authorizations to prevent expiration during treatment
Submit booking requests for procedures, injections, and surgeries
Complete required durable medical equipment documentation
Retrieve outside medical records as needed to support continuity of care
Reconcile patient charges for accuracy and completeness
Promote timely, coordinated, and patient-centered care
Serve as a clinical resource for providers and support staff
Mentor and provide guidance to Medical Assistants and LPNs
Assist with oversight, training, education, and leadership of clinical support staff
Participate in the orientation and training of new clinical employees
Provide appropriate input regarding Medical Assistant performance
Assist with the development of clinical workflows, policies, and evidence-based practices
Support quality improvement, regulatory compliance, and patient safety initiatives
Help maintain exam and procedure rooms, supplies, and department readiness