Specialty Nurse - RN - Colorectal Surgery - Waukee

Overview

UnityPoint Clinic

Specialty Nurse

Colorectal Surgery Clinic - Waukee Med Park

Waukee, IA

Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Full-time + benefits

We are seeking a compassionate and motivated Registered Nurse (RN) to join our dynamic Colorectal Surgery Clinic team at Methodist Hospital Specialty Clinic. This is an excellent opportunity for nurses who are passionate about patient-centered care and interested in developing their skills in colorectal and surgical specialty care. Whether you bring prior experience in surgical or gastrointestinal nursing or are looking to expand your clinical knowledge in this specialty, we welcome your application.

In this role, you will triage and assess patient needs, coordinate perioperative and postoperative care, and support patients and families as they navigate complex colorectal conditions. You will work closely with colorectal surgeons and a multidisciplinary healthcare team in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Why UnityPoint Health?

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.  

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.  Here are just a few:      

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.   

• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.  

• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.   

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.   

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience. 

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Responsibilities

Patient Assessment & Triage

• Evaluate incoming patient phone calls and electronic messages to determine the urgency of symptoms such as abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, changes in bowel patterns, wound concerns, or post-operative complications.• Provide telephone triage and guide patients to the appropriate level of care, including clinic visits, emergency evaluation, or home care instructions.• Assess preoperative readiness and identify risk factors that may impact surgical outcomes.

Care Coordination

• Assist in coordinating preoperative testing, surgical scheduling, and postoperative follow-up care.• Collaborate with colorectal surgeons regarding urgent issues such as infection, bowel obstruction symptoms, ostomy concerns, or wound complications.• Coordinate care with primary care providers, gastroenterologists, wound/ostomy nurses, oncology, and other specialties as needed.

Patient & Family Education

• Educate patients and caregivers on colorectal conditions such as colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, and anorectal disorders.• Provide detailed preoperative and postoperative teaching, including bowel prep instructions, pain management, incision care, ostomy care, diet modifications, and activity restrictions.• Offer emotional support and resources to patients adjusting to new diagnoses or life changes such as ostomy placement.

Clinical Documentation & Follow-Up

• Accurately document all patient interactions, assessments, surgical education, and care plans in the electronic health record (EHR).• Monitor pathology results, imaging, and lab reports, ensuring timely provider review and patient communication.• Track patient outcomes and coordinate follow-up appointments to promote healing, recovery, and long-term disease management.

Qualifications

• Licensure: Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in Iowa
• Experience: All levels of RN experience will be considered. Prior experience in neurology or specialty care is a plus, but not required.
• Education: Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) required; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
• For positions within UnityPoint Clinic, team members may be required to work at or to float to other locations to support optimized staffing