PreOpPACU Registered NurseFull Time No weekends No Holidays

Surgical Specialists; Fort Walton Beach (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO from day 1

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with employer matching

Job summary

Surgical Specialists is seeking a Pre‑Op/PACU Registered Nurse for our physician‑owned ambulatory surgery center. You will provide safe, efficient care for adult patients before and after surgery in a fast-paced outpatient setting.

The role emphasizes critical thinking, IV skills, and patient education, with early morning start times and weekday schedule. Join a collaborative team focused on quality perioperative care and work‑life balance.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• Current, active RN license in the state of practice.
• Current CPR (BLS) certification.
• Strong IV insertion and management skills.
• Evidence of leadership qualities and professional accountability.
• Proficient in written, verbal, and telephone communication in American English.
• Computer skills with ability to chart in an EHR.

Responsibilities

• Perform thorough pre-operative assessments including history, medications, allergies, and anesthesia/surgical risk screening.
• Verify consents, orders, NPO status, and pre-op instructions; clarify discrepancies with providers.
• Start and manage peripheral IVs; administer medications; complete pre-op testing and documentation in the EHR.
• Provide education to patients and families regarding procedures, anesthesia, post-op expectations, pain control, and discharge instructions.
• Receive patients from the OR into PACU; complete handoff; assess airway, breathing, circulation, and pain.
• Monitor and manage post-anesthesia pain, nausea/vomiting, hemodynamics, and complications; escalate as needed.
• Progress patients safely through recovery and document all care in the EHR.
• Provide discharge teaching and post-op calls as assigned.
• Collaborate with surgeons and anesthesia; demonstrate problem-solving in daily workflow.
• Maintain a clean, safe environment and adhere to infection control standards.

Skills

Critical thinking

IV insertion

EHR documentation

Leadership

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or GED

Nursing program graduate

Tools

EHR software

Office software

CPR (BLS) certification

Job description

Pre-Op/PACU Registered Nurse

Step into a physician‑owned ambulatory surgery center where your skills and your time are truly valued. Our team‑based, outpatient environment offers early‑day starts with most days ending in the early afternoon, no weekends, no major holidays, and no call, allowing you to enjoy a rewarding perioperative career and a healthy work‑life balance.

Position Summary

The Pre‑Op/PACU RN provides safe, efficient, and compassionate care to adult patients before and after surgery in an ambulatory setting. The nurse uses strong critical thinking, assessment, and IV skills to support optimal patient outcomes and a smooth surgical experience in a fast‑paced environment.

Schedule

• Typical Pre‑Op start time: between 5:15 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
• Typical PACU/Post‑Op start time: between 6:30 a.m. and 7a.m.
• Pre‑Op nurses may leave after the last patient has been taken back to the operating room.
• PACU nurses may leave after the last patient has been safely discharged home.
• Monday–Friday only; no weekends, no major holidays, no call.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform thorough pre‑operative assessments, including history, medications, allergies, and anesthesia/surgical risk screening.
• Verify consents, orders, NPO status, and pre‑op instructions; clarify discrepancies with providers.
• Start and manage peripheral IVs; administer ordered medications; complete pre‑op testing and documentation in the EHR.
• Provide education to patients and families regarding procedures, anesthesia, post‑op expectations, pain control, and discharge instructions.
• Receive patients from the OR into PACU; complete handoff; assess airway, breathing, circulation, level of consciousness, pain, and surgical site/dressings.
• Monitor and manage post‑anesthesia pain, nausea/vomiting, hemodynamics, and potential complications; elevate to anesthesia or surgeon as needed.
• Progress patients safely through recovery, documenting all care and assessments accurately and timely in the electronic health record.
• Provide discharge teaching to patients and caregivers and complete post‑op phone calls as assigned.
• Collaborate effectively with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and teammates; demonstrate problem‑solving and informal leadership in daily workflow.
• Maintain a clean, safe environment and adhere to infection prevention, safety, and regulatory standards.

Job Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• Current, active RN license in the state of practice.
• Current CPR (BLS) certification.
• Demonstrated strong IV insertion and management skills.
• Evidence of leadership qualities and professional accountability.
• Strong ethical and moral character references.
• Proficient in written, verbal, and telephone communication in American English.
• Computer skills with the ability to chart in an electronic health record and use basic office software.

Preferred Qualifications

• ACLS and PALS certification (or willingness to obtain after hire).
• Prior experience in an ASC, Pre‑Op/PACU, PACU, ER, or critical care setting.
• Demonstrated computer literacy beyond basic use (EHR, email, scheduling systems).

Professional Competencies

• Cooperative, team‑oriented attitude toward coworkers, management, physicians, patients, and visitors.
• Ability to promote a positive image of the facility to physicians, patients, payers, and the community.
• Strong decision‑making and problem‑solving skills.
• High degree of accuracy, attention to detail, organization, and timeliness.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, prioritize effectively, and handle frequent interruptions while re‑evaluating priorities.

Physical and Cognitive Demands

• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods and safely move/stretchers and patients with appropriate body mechanics and assistance.
• Capability for occasional overhead and low reaching, and strength to manage equipment and patient care activities.
• Adequate visual and auditory acuity to monitor patients, equipment, and alarms and respond promptly.
• Ability to move quickly in response to changing patient needs.
• Ability to make frequent clinical judgments in routine situations and respond appropriately to emergencies, disasters, or drills.
• Demonstrated problem‑solving and critical‑thinking skills in a fast‑paced environment.

Benefits

• PTO accrued from day 1
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) with employer matching.