Position Summary: The PRN Pre-Op/PACU Registered Nurse cares for patients before and after outpatient surgical and procedural services. In pre-op, this nurse makes sure patients are assessed, prepared, and safe to proceed to surgery. In PACU, this nurse monitors patients through recovery, responds to changes in condition, and prepares patients and their caregivers for a safe discharge home.

Pre-Op Responsibilities:

• Admit patients and verify identity, procedure, surgical site, and consent
• Complete pre-op nursing assessments, including health history, allergies, current medications, and NPO status
• Obtain and record baseline vital signs
• Start peripheral IVs and perform blood draws as ordered
• Perform point-of-care testing as ordered, such as blood glucose and pregnancy tests
• Administer pre-op medications according to provider orders and center policy
• Complete the pre-op checklist and make sure all required documents are in the chart
• Educate patients and caregivers on what to expect before, during, and after surgery
• Confirm the patient has a responsible adult to drive them home and stay with them as required
• Give a clear handoff report to the OR team

PACU Responsibilities:

• Receive patients from the OR and procedure rooms and obtain handoff report from anesthesia and the surgical team
• Monitor vital signs, level of consciousness, and recovery progress using approved scoring tools
• Maintain and discontinue peripheral IVs
• Educate patients and caregivers on post-op care, medications, warning signs, and follow-up instructions
• Determine discharge readiness using established criteria and discharge patients safely

General Responsibilities

• Document all care accurately and on time in the medical record
• Follow infection control, patient safety, and regulatory standards
• Communicate clearly with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and team members
• Help with room turnover, stocking, and unit readiness as needed
• Float between pre-op and PACU based on patient flow and staffing needs
• Complete pre-op/ post-op phone calls
• Sterilize surgical tools

Required Qualifications

• Active, unrestricted Registered Nurse license in Maryland or a compact multistate license
• Current BLS and ACLS certification
• Minimum of 1 year of Nursing experience
• Proficiency in IV insertion, blood draws, and comprehensive nursing assessments
• Strong critical thinking skills and the ability to respond quickly in emergencies
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Ambulatory surgery center experience
• Pain Management experience

Compensation: $41.00-$47.00/ hr

Status: Non-Exempt