Preoperative Nurse

Mercy Ships is an international charity that brings hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor through state-of-the-art hospital ships. Since 1978, our volunteer crew—made up of medical professionals and skilled workers from over 60 nations—has delivered free surgeries and medical care to over 2.8 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, transforming lives one patient and one port at a time. Join our global team of over 3,000 volunteers and help us change lives daily.

About this role

The Preoperative Nurse works with the Preoperative Team to evaluate, assess and prioritize potential patients for Mercy Ships surgical programs, working closely with other departments in the hospital. The Preoperative Nurses are always aiming for the best patient experience. This includes having the most accurate and up-to-date medical knowledge available, having good logistics in place and safe and culturally appropriate working practices.

Work collaboratively with other Preoperative Team members and Hospital Physicians to evaluate, assess and prioritize patients during the patient selection and admissions processes. Coordinate preoperative diagnostics tests with Hospital Support Services.

What you will contribute

• Assist the Preoperative Team Leader and Preoperative Clinical Supervisor in the planning and implementation of all preoperative activities, including the Nurse & Diagnostics day, Surgeon Consultation day, Hospital Admissions days, follow-up days and Hypertension and Goiter Clinic days.

• Assess and examine patients and obtain necessary specimens, including blood draws.

• Follow up with patients and caregivers regarding diagnostics tests, surgical plan and expectations for surgery.

• Orient patients and caregivers to the Ward environment and routines.

• Provide appropriate pre- and post-operative information to the patients and caregivers.

• Assist on Surgeon Consultation days as requested.

• Work together with Hospital Physicians regarding follow-up care and Hospital admission.

• Work together with Anesthesia Supervisor regarding preoperative anesthesia reviews.

• Train and oversee daily duties of Hospital Day Crew assigned to work with the Preoperative Team.

• Coordinate patient counseling with Hospital Chaplaincy as needed.

• Assist with the transportation of patients to and from the ship, from the HOPE Center and Assembly point.

• Assist in collaborating with the HOPE Center/Low Care Unit Team regarding preoperative patients.

• Cover on-call duties for the Preoperative Team, approximately every 4-6 weeks for one week.

• Orient new nurses to the preoperative process.

• Maintain Infection and Prevention Control practices.

For This Role, You Will Need

• 12 months or more commitments require successful completion of Mercy Ships On Boarding program

• Strong knowledge of Mercy Ships’ Surgical Scope of Practice preferred.

• Supportive of Mercy Ships’ mission and vision, and committed to its core values.

• Registered Nurse with active license in home country and minimum two years’ experience following licensure

• Current Basic Life Support certification is required; ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) are optional

• Recent acute inpatient surgical/medical/Emergency Room/Admissions experience of at least two years full-time or three years part-time in the past 5 years AND at the point of application can show working 30 hours or more per week in any of these clinical areas within the past 12 months.

• Understand and apply servant leadership, work collaboratively with integrity and demonstrate accountability.

• Able to live in and contribute to community life, requiring stable and healthy interpersonal skills.

• Phlebotomy experience with adults required; pediatric venipuncture beneficial.

• Ability to successfully perform an ECG.

• Strong critical thinking and verbal and physical assessment skills.

• Ability to interface with Physicians and other services involved in patient’s care, using the SBAR or similar method.

• Ability to respond to requests and obtain information in a timely manner and work under pressure in stressful, emotionally intense situations.

• Ability to cope with having to deliver difficult news to patients with compassion and respect in a cross-cultural environment.

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work in a team environment.

• Requires flexibility and sensitivity to language and cultural diversity.

• Experience with Microsoft Office, specifically Excel and Word.

• Fluent in English and conversational French preferred.

The experience of a lifetime is calling.

More than 1,200 volunteers from over 60 nations serve with Mercy Ships each year.

At Mercy Ships, we are proud to be recognized around the world for the life-changing surgeries and training we deliver. We could not achieve this without our dedicated community of talented volunteers.

Imagine finishing your shift and stepping onto deck as the sun sets—knowing that today you’ve helped transform the lives of those who need it most. Apply now to start a journey that will reshape the lives of those you serve — and your own.