Preoperative Registered Nurse
Washington, DC
Access Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Days

Job Opportunity: Pre-Op Registered Nurse (Travel/Contract)

Location: Washington, District of Columbia
Contract Length: 13 weeks (approximately 3 months)
Specialty: Registered Nurse (Pre-Op)
Employment Type: Travel/Contract

Job Description

• Schedule: 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (5:00 AM - 5:30 PM)
• Weekend/Holiday Requirement: Every other weekend and alternate holidays
• Patient Ratio: 1 nurse to 3 patients
• Work Setting: Inpatient, Ambulatory/Outpatient, Level II Trauma, Phase II Recovery
• EMR System: Cerner

Unit Overview

The Preoperative Unit is an 18-bed area within a Level I Trauma Center preparing patients for surgery across multiple specialties including cardiac, plastics, breast, ENT, vascular, minimally invasive, general surgery, bariatric, colorectal, endocrine, orthopedics, neurosurgery, oncology, gynecological surgery, and urology. The unit handles both elective and urgent cases, requiring adaptability and proficiency in managing complex patient populations.

Responsibilities

• Complete comprehensive preoperative assessments
• Initiate IV access
• Provide patient education
• Coordinate closely with anesthesia and surgical teams
• Assist with regional anesthesia procedures such as nerve blocks
• Support moderate sedation during preoperative interventions

Requirements

• Experience: Minimum 2 years of nursing experience required
• Travel Experience: First-time travelers accepted (no prior travel experience required)
• Licensure:

  • Pending DC nursing license accepted at time of submission
  • Must have DC license in hand prior to start date
• Certifications:

  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
  • BLS (Basic Life Support)
• Skills:

  • Moderate sedation experience required
  • Must pass Relias EKG Rhythm Interpretation Exam with:

    • Minimum overall score of 80%
    • 100% score on lethal rhythms section
• Scrub Color: Ceil Blue

Additional Information

• Background Checks: Criminal background check within 90 days required, including multi-state searches
• Health Requirements:

  • Annual physical exam confirming ability to work without accommodations and free from communicable disease
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray within the past year (or annual questionnaire if history of latent TB)
  • Required immunizations or titers for Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Tdap
  • Drug screen within 90 days of start (excluding marijuana)
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption required during flu season
  • N95 fit test within 9 months of start, updated annually
• Competency Exams:

  • Medication/Pharmacology competency exam (minimum 80% score) within 3 years
  • Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam with required scores as above
• References: Two positive supervisory references supporting at least 2 years of experience within the last 3 years
• Work History: Complete 7 years of work history with no gaps, including education and license information

This position offers the opportunity to work in a high-acuity, fast-paced Level I Trauma Center preoperative unit with a diverse surgical patient population. It is suitable for RNs with moderate sedation skills and strong EKG interpretation abilities. First-time travel nurses are welcome to apply.