Pre-Surgical Assessment Nurse GNMSS

Job description

Position Summary:
The Pre-Surgical Assessment Nurse (PSA-N) conducts a comprehensive medical intake and risk screening in the clinic immediately following the provider’s surgical consultation. This role validates clinical information necessary to determine patient readiness for surgery. The PSA-N will work closely with the Nurse Navigator to communicate clearance requirements, risk findings, and readiness status to support safe appropriate, and efficient scheduling. This position serves as clinical checkpoint to reduce surgical delays and cancellations. This also serves to provide patient’s with education and expectations.
The PSA-N will also work closely with the Surgical Clinic Nurse to assist with Surgical Order Entry when needed and managing denied/cancelled/returned authorization files to prevent surgical delays and patients falling through the cracks.
Additionally, this nurse will help to assess patient concerns via phone or electronic communication and determining the appropriate level and timing of care, both for specialty care and primary care, with emphasis for patients with chronic diseases. This role supports efficient patient scheduling, ensures timely medical attention for urgent issues, and helps optimize provider schedules by matching patient needs with appropriate appointment types.
Having a Pre-Surgical Assessment Nurse and Surgery Nurse Navigator working together will help align clinic and surgery operations. These roles not only coordinate care they will help eliminate friction, miscommunication, and the “us vs them” mindset.
Primary Duties:
• Meet with patients after the provider determines surgery is indicated
• Identify comorbidities and risk factors that may impact surgery and require additional clearances or testing based on medical history and medications.
• Identify the patient’s current specialists (Cardiologist, Rheumatologist, Pulmonologist)
• Last follow-up and recent testing
• Consult with APPs if needed
• Give patient a tentative date for surgery based on needed clearances, surgical equipment needs and current surgery schedule.
• Explain the pre-operative process and required steps that need to be completed before surgery
• Educate patients on their role and duties to prevent delay or cancellation of surgery
• Provide written instructions outlining next steps and expected timeline.
• Assist in telephone and message triage for both specialty care and primary care patients
• Assess patient symptoms through phone calls, patient portal messages, or walk-in inquiries
• Use clinical judgement and standardized triage protocols to determine
• Emergency care (ER/911)
• Same day appointment
• Urgent visit within 24-72 hours
• Routine follow-up/next available appointment
• Home care advice
• Document triage encounters in the EHR
• Refer appropriate patients to chronic care management and remote patient monitoring programs
• Communicate patient risk status and clearance requirements
• Communicate contact information and testing for patient current specialists.
• Communicate higher-risk cases that need to be escalated to Anesthesia for review prior Scheduling
• Provide Nurse Navigator with expected timeline given to patient
• Provide updates on pending or scheduled testing within GNMSS
• Assist with Surgical Order Entry in Meditech
• Manage ARM Files that are Denied or Returned to Surgery-Clinic to determine next steps

Collaborate with Surgery Nurse Navigator:
Collaborate with Surgical Clinic Nurse:
How these Roles can Bridge Clinic and Surgery:
Pre- Surgical Assessment Nurse:
o Meets patient after provider visit
o Reviews Medical History, Medication, Allergies to identify risk factors
o Identifies Current Specialists
o Educates on required clearances and testing
o Sets Expectations for Timeline based on Tentative surgery date with patient
o Prepares Documentation for Request for Surgery and Insurance Authorization
o Communicates readiness status to Nurse Navigator with Tentative Date
Surgery Nurse Navigator:
o Escalate Higher Risk cases to Anesthesia for approval prior to Scheduling
o Tracks labs, consults, imaging
o Obtains any needed Specialist Orders
o Communicates with Anesthesia and OR Team
o Coordinates Equipment, Implants, and Reps needs
o Keeps patient informed of Progress
o Completes Pre-Op Education (Phone, In-Person, Joint Camp)
o Ensures chart completeness prior to surgery date
With Defined Roles:
Readiness is verified before scheduling so the need for clearances/tests/orders are known well in advance.
Identify higher risk cases for early anesthesia evaluation prior to scheduling.
Tentative surgery dates are more reliable and accurate as clearances, equipment, and current cases are taken into consideration.
Patients are clearly educated on their responsibilities and timeline to become an active member in the surgical process.
Patients that may require assistance with obtaining clearances and tests are identified early.