Perioperative Services Educator

Perioperative Education Coordinator

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

• Assessing learning needs of perioperative staff in collaboration with the Director and department leaders.
• Developing, implementing, and evaluating orientation programs specific to perioperative roles.
• Ensuring all education and training programs align with evidence-based practice, organizational policies, and perioperative standards.
• Designing and overseeing competency validation programs.
• Providing ongoing clinical education, in-services, and just-in-time training.
• Serving as a clinical resource and role model for perioperative staff.
• Supporting adherence to surgical safety practices, infection prevention standards, and safe medication practices.
• Collaborating with Quality, Infection Prevention, and leadership to address practice gaps and support performance improvement initiatives.
• Assisting with implementation of new procedures, equipment, and evidence-based practice changes.
• Coordinating simulation-based training and skills labs relevant to perioperative care.
• Ensuring staff education and competencies meet regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Maintaining accurate, timely, and audit-ready documentation of orientation, competencies, and required education.
• Working collaboratively with surgeons, anesthesia providers, nursing leadership, and ancillary departments.
• Supporting interdisciplinary education and team-based training.
• Communicating effectively with staff to promote a positive learning environment and Just Culture principles.
• Maintaining current knowledge of perioperative standards and best practices.
• Participating in professional development activities and continuing education.
• Participating in department and organizational meetings as required.
• Supporting fiscal responsibility in education planning.
• Performing other duties as assigned.
• Coordination of orientation and competency programs.
• Guidance and support of preceptors and staff.
• Oversight of clinical education activities.

Qualifications include:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required.
• Minimum of 3 years of perioperative nursing experience (OR, PACU, or SDS) required.
• Prior education, preceptor, or leadership experience preferred.
• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Iowa.
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification through the American Heart Association required.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) through the American Heart Association required.
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) through the American Heart Association required.
• CNOR, CAPA, or CPAN certification – preferred.
• Understanding of adult learning principles and competency-based education.
• Strong knowledge of perioperative clinical practices and standards.
• Knowledge of teaching and learning concepts in the health care environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of computer software programs (Microsoft Word, Excel).
• Exceptional customer service skills with the ability to work effectively and positively with a variety of employees, departments, and the public.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Must possess effective time management skills.
• Ability to carry out assignments with minimal supervision and guidance.

Language skills include:

• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English sufficiently to perform job duties.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to speak effectively before customers, patients, families and employees of the organization.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from learners.

Physical demands include:

• Combination of sedentary, light, and moderate physical activity.
• Frequent standing, walking, and sitting throughout the workday.
• Frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and reaching.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for fine motor tasks.
• Ability to lift, push, pull, and carry up to 20 pounds frequently, and up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Specific vision abilities include close and distance vision, depth perception, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Effective hearing, verbal communication, sustained attention, and the ability to respond to interruptions are required.
• Ability to tolerate intermittent physical activity, time pressures, emotional stress, and high-acuity clinical environments.

Work environment includes:

• Perioperative and administrative settings, including operating rooms, PACU, SDS, skills labs, simulation areas, offices, and meeting spaces.
• Routine exposure to blood borne pathogens, infectious diseases, bodily fluids, and regulated medical waste.
• Exposure to moving mechanical parts, medical equipment, electrical hazards, sterilants, disinfectants, trace anesthetic gases, and radiation.
• Noise levels are typically moderate, with occasional increases related to alarms, equipment, and simulation activities.
• Exposure to unpleasant sights or odors and participation in stressful clinical education or performance improvement activities…