Pre-Admission Teaching Registered Nurse (PRN)

Description

Are you passionate about serving patients in an inspiring work environment alongside talented people? Then get moving with OCR! With 55 years in the Front Range, we are still the premier provider of orthopedic care in Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska; and as our organization continues to grow, we are looking for individuals who share our mission!

The Pre-Admission Teaching RN serves as a member of the Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) OCR team and performs assessments with patients prior to admission for surgery either in-person or through a phone interview. The teaching RN collects the patient’s medical, pharmaceutical, surgical, and family history and updates current health history as necessary. This position also works closely with the anesthesia, Pre-Op/PACU department and clinical staff in coordinating the patient’s needs in order to have a successful surgical outcome. 

**This Position is Monday-focused, with flexibility to pick up additional shifts throughout the week on an as needed basis/department needs.**

**The selected candidate will be expected to orient a minimum of 3 days per week until they are deemed ready to transition off orientation. **

Employees must abide by all applicable accrediting body requirements including but not limited to sensitivity to cultural diversity, patient care, patient’s rights and ethical treatment, safety and security of physical environments, emergency management, teamwork, respect for others, participation in ongoing education and training, communication and adherence to safety and quality programs, sustaining compliance with National Patient Safety Goals, and licensure and health screenings. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs assessment with patient prior to admission – in person or via telephone, communicating information to appropriate team members. 
• Ensures pre-operative care requirements of patients are accomplished thorough use of the nursing process including assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation. 
• Performs patient teaching/education as established by the ASC guidelines. 
• Assesses pertinent information, plans, implements and documents interventions and evaluates results. 
• Coordinates with outside medical specialty for surgical clearance if deemed necessary. 
• Maintains and promotes patient’s safety by assessing physical and psychological needs. 
• Responds to inquiries regarding expressed needs of the patient. ? Performs outbound post-op follow-up calls as requested. 
• Provides general health information. 
• Alerts anesthesia of lab results, physical assessment, medications, or special needs of the individual with medical problems prior to date of surgery. 
• Answers inquires in a timely and helpful manner. 
• Communicates arrival time and NPO (nothing by mouth) instructions to patients as prescribed. 
• Demonstrates flexibility in performance of patient care tasks to achieve timely, responsive, cost effective and high-quality care. Demonstrates flexibility in performance to achieve the ASC’s goals. 
• Participates in quality improvement activities as requested. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Requirements

 Education and Experience 

• Previous Pre-operative Teaching experience is strongly preferred, or experience in a nursing role where patient education and teaching were a significant or primary component of the position.
• Associates Degree from an accredited Registered Nursing (RN) program. 
• Two years’ peri-operative experience, preferably in orthopedics, required. 
• One year experience in Ambulatory Surgery Center, preferred. 
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite or related software, medical records software, and similar computer applications. 
• Possess a good working knowledge of nursing theory, practice, and legal aspects of nursing, and techniques, care and use of equipment used in an ambulatory surgery center setting. 

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations 

•  Valid Colorado Registered Nurse (RN) license. Must provide proof of license and be in good standing. 
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. 
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification. ? Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification. 

Physical Requirements

• The work environment is a typical medical office environment. The employee must be able to complete their work satisfactorily in an environment where there are significant distractions, including staff, patients, and vendors walking through and conversing, telephones ringing, conversations carrying over, loud noises, and interruptions to answer questions from others.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls up to 12 hours per day. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear up to 12 hours per day. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl up to 12 hours a day.
• The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and should do so in a sound and safe manner. The employee will regularly assist patients in turning (170 lb average); will regularly assist patient in arising from exam table; will regularly push wheelchair patients; and regularly assists patients in arising from and returning to wheelchair or bed.

Core Competencies 

• Detail Oriented – Consistently checks and rechecks work product for accuracy; able to manage multiple tasks while accurately performing essential job functions, prepares accurate and thorough reports, emails, and data as required by the position. 
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; sets goals and objectives; organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; develops realistic action plans. 
• Oral and Written Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; able to read and interpret written information, ability to communicate with clients or customers. 
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs; solicits customer feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments. 
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan. 
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed. 
• Confidentiality - Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to manage sensitive and confidential situations with tact, professionalism, and diplomacy. Adheres to HIPAA guidelines. 

Independence of Action

• Work is closely monitored by supervisor/manager; detailed instructions and procedures are generally provided. 

Travel Requirements 

• Position requires acceptable motor vehicle driving history, valid and free from restrictions, and must have a valid driver’s license and appropriate vehicle insurance coverage. Ability to travel between all OCR locations. 

Benefits

• Paid sick leave
• Company-sponsored events
• Annual increases (based on performance)

Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies (OCR) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination or harassment of any kind. OCR is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual experience and qualifications, without regard to a person's race, color, age, sex, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, the presence of any physical or mental disability, or status as a disabled veteran, recently separated veteran, other protected veteran, or Armed Forces service medal veteran, or any other protected status.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; to receive full consideration, please apply by September 5, 2026.