Pre - op / PACU Registered Nurse

Valleygate Dental Surgery Centers operates in North Carolina as the state’s first dental-only ambulatory surgery centers, offering specialized care in oral surgery, anesthesia, and sedation dentistry. With locations in Fayetteville, Greensboro, and Charlotte, VDSC provides an essential solution for patients needing comprehensive dental surgeries that require anesthesia, while maintaining a strong commitment to patient safety and quality care.

Our mission is to offer safe, high-quality dental surgery services in a patient-centered environment. This is achieved through advanced technology, experienced clinical staff, and a dedication to improving access to dental care. Our state-of-the-art facilities provide the highest level of surgical care, particularly for patients who cannot be treated in traditional dental offices due to special needs or medical conditions.

Valleygate prides itself on its excellent work environment, offering competitive pay and benefits, with a strong emphasis on work-life balance—no nights or weekends required for staff, ensuring employees have time for personal well-being. It’s an ideal place to work for professionals passionate about dental health and dedicated to making a difference in patients’ lives.

 Must be willing to train at our Fayetteville, NC location until official opening of Garner center.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
1. Maintains quality patient care and patient education, in accordance with written policies and standards of care.
2. Supervises the pre-operative and recovery staff and spearheads the daily staffing.
3. Ensures adherence to Surgery Center policies, procedures, and safety programs.
4. Maintains clinical skills and knowledge.
5. Performs the orientation of new employees in the pre-operative and recovery areas.
6. Assesses the staff's educational needs and implements a plan to meet these needs.
7. Maintains an adequate inventory of drugs and medical supplies in the pre-operative and recovery areas.
8. Maintains a collegial relationship with providers to ensure quality patient care.
9. Develops and monitors standards of care.
10. Participates in and monitors quality improvement programs.
11. Fosters a positive environment which promotes staff development and loyalty to the organization.
12. Receives report from the anesthesiologist and circulating nurse and identifies patient.
13. Takes vital signs consisting of blood pressure, pulse, and respirations when the patient arrives in recovery and every 15 minutes thereafter unless otherwise ordered.
14. Charts patient's color, level of consciousness, condition of dressings and character of respirations on arrival and every 30 minutes while patient is in recovery.
15. Verifies doctor's orders, administers medications, and performs procedures as ordered.
16. Secures the proper patient belongings when appropriate.
17. Gives all prescriptions to the appropriate person (i.e. patient, visitor).
18. When patient meets discharge criteria, the Recovery Room Nurse:

•  Notifies anesthesiologist or surgeon to check patient
•  Discontinue use of IV if applicable
•  Reviews, educates and provides a copy of the written discharge instructions to the patient
•  Discharges the patient either per wheelchair, assisting with ambulation, or other appropriate method based on patient condition.

e. Discharges patients through appropriate exit only
19. At the end of the day:

•  Returns appropriate items to reception area
•  Assists with preparations of recovery and preoperative areas for the next day
•  Closes facility according to protocol

20. Reports malfunctioning equipment to Charge Nurse.
21. Assists with receiving and storing supplies, as needed.
22. Disposes of contaminated needle containers in appropriate receptacle.
23. Assists with post-op phone calls, as needed.
24. May be required to provide assistance with the operative log.
25. Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: 

Must meet the following requirements: (1) Successful completion of an Associate Degree from an Accredited School of Nursing or bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) (2) Obtain state Licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN), progressive work experience in recovery rooms of no less than three (3) years which reflects both clinical and management skills. 

ASC Experience preferred 

PACU & Pre-Op Experience Required