Clinic Nurse II, Neurosurgery

About the role

The Registered Nurse II – Neurointerventional Pain Management Specialist is accountable for the assessment, coordination, delivery, and evaluation of specialized nursing care for patients undergoing neurointerventional procedures and chronic/acute pain management therapies. This role also serves as the primary nursing liaison for neurosurgery spine patients transitioning into pain management care.

Responsibilities

• Performs comprehensive neurointerventional and pain-focused patient assessments encompassing neurological status, pain etiology and severity, functional limitations, psychological response to chronic/acute pain, spiritual wellbeing, and relevant social determinants of health.
• Utilizes validated pain assessment tools (e.g., NRS, CPOT, DN4, PainDETECT) and neurological assessment scales (e.g., NIHSS, GCS) to establish baselines and detect changes in patient status pre-, intra-, and post-procedure.
• Collaborates with interventional pain physicians, neurologists, anesthesiologists, and the multidisciplinary team to interpret diagnostic findings, adjust treatment plans, and coordinate care for patients undergoing procedures such as spinal cord stimulation, epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, kyphoplasty, and other neurointerventional therapies.
• Communicates patients' procedural and pain management plans of care during shift transitions, handoffs, and interdepartmental transfers, ensuring continuity and patient safety.
• Serves as the primary nursing liaison for neurosurgery spine patients transitioning into pain management care, encompassing patient education, care coordination, inbox and referral management, clinic support, and appointment scheduling.
• Fosters collaborative relationships among patients, families, interventional pain physicians, neurosurgeons, spine specialists, anesthesiologists, and interdisciplinary team members through timely and effective communication.
• Adheres to hospital policies, industry standards, evidence-based practices, and applicable laws and regulations to promote optimal patient outcomes and experience.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing, or RN licensure evidencing completion of an RN program.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
• Required: RN – Registered Nurse license for the state where care is provided.
• Required: BLS – Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider.
• Required: ACLS – Advanced Cardiac Life Support.
• NIHSS – National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale certification.
• Preferred / Highly Desirable: CCRN or CNRN – Critical Care or Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse.
• Preferred / Highly Desirable: CAPA or CPAN – Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia or Post Anesthesia Nurse.
• Preferred / Highly Desirable: Pain Management Nursing Certification (RN-BC) issued by ANCC.
• Preferred / Highly Desirable: Moderate Sedation/Analgesia competency certification per institutional policy.
• Preferred / Highly Desirable: Fluoroscopy/Radiation Safety training or certification per state and departmental requirements.
• Preferred / Highly Desirable: Contrast Media Administration certification/competency per departmental protocol.
• Minimum 2 years of recent relevant RN experience required.
• At least 6 months of experience in a procedural, PACU, ICU, ED, or neuroscience/neurology setting within the last 2 years strongly preferred.
• Experience with neurointerventional or interventional pain management procedures is highly desirable.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge and competence in nursing theories, concepts, and practices, including medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology, with clinical competence in neurological and pain assessment using standardized scales (NRS, NIHSS, GCS, CPOT).
• Understanding of moderate sedation/analgesia principles, monitoring requirements, reversal agents, contrast media administration, and ALARA radiation safety principles.
• Knowledge of healthcare regulations, safety precaution policies, HIPAA, and PHI protection standards, including awareness of changes in local/state/federal regulations; ensures protection of each patient's protected health information.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.