Pre-Op / PACU Registered Nurse (RN) – Ambulatory Surgery Center

Pre-Op / PACU Registered Nurse (RN) – Ambulatory Surgery Center

Must be available to work 40 hours a week, 4 - 10 hour shifts on a weekly basis.

This is a FT opportunity.

Position Summary

We are seeking a seasoned Gastroenterology Pre-Op and PACU Registered Nurse (RN). Responsible for comprehensive perioperative nursing care in a fast-paced ambulatory surgery center. This role supports patients through the full surgical experience—from pre-operative preparation through post-anesthesia recovery and safe discharge. The RN ensures patient safety, comfort, and optimal clinical outcomes for patients coming to complete a GI Procedure - Colonoscopy/Endoscopy.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Operative Care

  • Perform initial patient assessment, including medical history, allergies, medications, and NPO status
  • Verify surgical consent, procedure site, and patient identification (surgical safety checklist compliance)
  • Establish IV access and administer pre-operative medications as ordered
  • Provide patient and family education regarding procedure, anesthesia expectations, and post-op care
  • Collaborate with anesthesia and surgical teams to ensure patient readiness for surgery
  • Identify and escalate any abnormal findings or safety concerns prior to surgery

PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) Responsibilities

  • Provide immediate post-anesthesia recovery care following surgical procedures
  • Continuously monitor airway, breathing, circulation, vital signs, and neurological status
  • Manage pain control, nausea/vomiting, and post-operative symptoms per protocol
  • Recognize and respond to post-anesthesia complications such as respiratory depression, hypotension, bleeding, or agitation
  • Administer medications including analgesics, antiemetics, and oxygen therapy as ordered
  • Ensure safe patient stabilization and progression toward discharge criteria (e.g., Aldrete scoring)
  • Communicate effectively with anesthesia providers and surgeons regarding patient status
  • Complete accurate and timely EMR documentation

Discharge & Continuity of Care

  • Ensure patients meet discharge criteria for ambulatory surgery center release
  • Provide clear verbal and written discharge instructions to patients and caregivers
  • Reinforce post-operative care guidelines including pain management, wound care, activity restrictions, and follow-up instructions
  • Coordinate safe patient discharge and transportation verification

Required Qualifications

  • Active and current Registered Nurse (RN) license (NYS or compact state equivalent)
  • Current BLS certification (required)
  • Current ACLS certification (required or obtained within specified timeframe)
  • Minimum 4 years of nursing experience, preferably in:
  • PACU
  • Emergency Department/Level 1 Trauma
  • Perioperative / Surgical Services
  • Strong knowledge of anesthesia recovery, perioperative protocols, and outpatient surgical care
  • Excellent IV administration skills
  • Proficiency in electronic medical records (EMR) systems

Required Experience

  • Ambulatory surgery center (ASC) experience
  • Experience across multiple specialties (gastroenterology, orthopedics, ENT, urology, general surgery, pain procedures)
  • Strong IV skills and conscious sedation recovery experience

Key Skills & Competencies

  • Excellent clinical assessment and critical thinking skills
  • Ability to manage multiple patients in a fast-paced environment
  • Strong communication with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams
  • High attention to detail and adherence to safety protocols
  • Ability to respond rapidly to clinical changes and emergencies
  • Strong organizational and documentation skills
  • Compassionate, patient-centered approach

Work Environment

  • Outpatient ambulatory surgery center setting
  • Fast-paced perioperative workflow with same-day discharge focus
  • Exposure to multiple surgical specialties and varying patient acuity
  • Requires standing, walking, and physical support of patients throughout shift

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55.00 - $63.00 per hour

Experience:

  • PACU/ Pre Op/Or Circulating: 2 years (Preferred)
  • excellent IV skills : 2 years (Preferred)
  • Hospital, Acute Care or PACU RN: 2 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

  • NY RN (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

  • New York, NY 10128 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Back to blog

Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...