Job Description 

Perioperative Clinical Educator

Position Summary

The Perioperative Clinical Educator is responsible for planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs that promote clinical excellence, professional development, regulatory compliance, and patient safety throughout the perioperative continuum. This role serves as the clinical expert and educational resource for Operating Room, Pre-Admission Testing (PAT), Pre-Op, PACU, Endoscopy, Sterile Processing, and other procedural areas. The educator collaborates with leadership, physicians, anesthesia providers, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure staff competency and evidence-based practice while supporting strategic departmental goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Education

• Develop, coordinate, and deliver orientation programs for newly hired perioperative staff.
• Create individualized orientation plans based on employee experience and specialty.
• Provide ongoing clinical education utilizing adult learning principles.
• Coordinate annual competency assessments for all perioperative staff.
• Evaluate staff competency using direct observation, simulation, return demonstrations, and competency validation tools.
• Maintain educational records and competency documentation.

Professional Development

• Mentor nurses, surgical technologists, anesthesia technicians, and support personnel.
• Promote specialty certification including:
  • CNOR
  • CSSM
  • CNAMB
  • CAPA
  • CPAN
  • CER
  • CRCST
• Assist staff in developing professional growth plans.
• Coordinate continuing education offerings.

Regulatory Compliance

Ensure departmental compliance with:

• AORN Guidelines
• Joint Commission standards
• CMS Conditions of Participation
• OSHA regulations
• CDC infection prevention guidelines
• State Board of Nursing regulations
• Hospital policies

Prepare educational initiatives supporting regulatory readiness and survey preparedness.

Quality Improvement

Collaborate with leadership to improve:

• Surgical Site Infection (SSI) reduction
• Time Out compliance
• Instrument counts
• Medication safety
• Fire safety
• Specimen handling
• Hand hygiene
• Surgical smoke evacuation
• Pressure injury prevention
• Documentation compliance
• Core measure performance

Analyze quality metrics and implement education to address identified opportunities.

Orientation & Onboarding

Coordinate orientation for:

• Registered Nurses
• Surgical Technologists
• First Assistants
• Sterile Processing staff
• Endoscopy personnel
• Anesthesia Technicians
• Students
• Agency personnel
• Travelers

Validate readiness for independent practice.

Clinical Practice Support

• Serve as clinical resource during complex surgical procedures.
• Assist with implementation of new technology and equipment.
• Coordinate physician preference updates.
• Support introduction of new service lines and procedures.
• Assist during product evaluations and trials.

Simulation & Skills Training

Develop simulation-based education including:

• Malignant Hyperthermia
• Massive Transfusion Protocol
• Code Blue
• Airway emergencies
• Fire drills
• Difficult airway management
• Robotic emergencies
• Laser safety
• Trauma response
• Crisis Resource Management

Policy Development

• Assist in development and revision of departmental policies.
• Ensure policies reflect current evidence-based practice.
• Standardize clinical workflows.
• Participate in policy review committees.

Evidence-Based Practice

• Review current literature.
• Incorporate AORN Guideline updates.
• Lead evidence-based practice initiatives.
• Participate in research and performance improvement projects.

Leadership Collaboration

Partner with:

• Director of Surgical Services
• Nurse Managers
• Clinical Coordinators
• Charge Nurses
• Medical Staff
• Infection Prevention
• Quality Department
• Risk Management
• Human Resources

to support departmental initiatives.

Competencies

Demonstrated knowledge of:

• Perioperative nursing practice
• Sterile technique
• Surgical instrumentation
• Surgical technology
• Anesthesia considerations
• Infection prevention
• Adult education principles
• Competency assessment
• Quality improvement methodologies
• Regulatory standards
• Change management
• Clinical coaching
• Conflict resolution
• Project management