Clinical Nurse I: Pre/PACU - Hoag Surgery Center

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The Clinical Nurse I – Perioperative role provides direct patient care in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act for assigned patients in a Perioperative unit. The nurse collaborates with other disciplines of the health care team to ensure the delivery of safe, timely, and appropriate quality patient care. This includes providing physical assessments, nursing interventions, pain management, medication administrations, specimen collection, meeting nutritional needs, and teaching and discharge needs of the patients assigned.

Utilizes the nursing process based on evidence-based best practices to meet patient care needs. Evaluates and adjusts the nursing care process as necessary with consultation as needed, and confers with the appropriate resource personnel when making ethical/legal/medical dilemma decisions. Performs other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

Hoag Irvine Surgery Center is a high-volume outpatient surgery center performing same-day procedures across specialties including orthopedics, spine, ENT, ophthalmology, pain management, plastics, and general surgery. The RN in this role provides care in both Pre-Op and PACU (Phase I & Phase II Recovery), preparing patients for surgery through assessments, education, chart review, medication reconciliation, and IV starts, while also managing post-anesthesia recovery, pain control, discharge readiness, and patient/family education. Nurses work closely with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and perioperative staff to ensure a safe and seamless patient experience throughout the surgical journey. The center offers a fast-paced, team-oriented environment focused on patient safety, quality outcomes, efficiency, and exceptional patient care.

Qualifications

Education and Experience 

• Clinical Nurse Is at Magnet designated facilities only require a BSN or that a BSN program is started within one year of hire date and BSN degree is attained within two years of the starting the BSN program
• BSN preferred
• Successful completion of an ECG course or equivalency required only for units with telemetry monitoring
• 1+ year Preop/PACU Experience in a surgery center preferred
• 1+ year experience in an acute care setting preferred

Additional department specific requirements are as follows:

• Pre Post Unit: One year nursing experience in a perioperative setting in an acute care hospital or an outpatient surgery center.
• Recovery Room/PACU: One year recent PACU experience in an acute care hospital or critical care unit required.

Licenses Required: 

• Registered Nurse in the State of California - Current and in good standing

Certifications Required

• Current BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA) upon hire
• Additional department specific certification requirements are as follows:
  • Irvine Recovery Room/PACU and Irvine Pre Post Unit: ACLS and PALS (PALS required within 90 days of hire)
  • Recovery Room/PACU: ACLS and PALS (PALS required within 90 days of hire)
  • Pre Post Unit: 
    • Nurses hired before 10/1/2025: ACLS; 
    • Nurses hired after 10/1/2025: ACLS, PALS within 90 days of hire

Certifications Preferred

• Pre Post Unit: Specialty certification 
• Recovery Room/PACU: ASPAN certification