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Operating Room Scheduler Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Traveler Rn Or Schedule 645pm-715am Varies 13 weeks 660a Surgery - Ground Fl - RN OR Min of 2 years of experience within specialty. Required AHA BLS Preferred ACLS ATL: Travelers but have expertise ...

Global Room Scheduler

East Hanover, NJ · On-site

$18.75 - $24/hr

Adhere to multiple Standard Operating Procedures related to the role and scheduling requirements ... Coordinate room changes, cancellations, and escalations to minimize disruptions. * Track and update ...

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Operating ROOM Scheduler information

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How much do operating room scheduler jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for operating room scheduler in the United States is $19.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.03 and $20.43 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by operating room schedulers, and how can they effectively manage last-minute changes to the surgery schedule?

Operating Room Schedulers frequently encounter challenges such as sudden changes in surgical priorities, emergency cases, or surgeon availability. Effectively managing these situations requires strong organizational skills, the ability to communicate promptly with surgical teams, and adaptability to shifting circumstances. Utilizing scheduling software and maintaining clear, consistent communication with staff helps minimize disruptions and ensures patient safety. Building strong relationships with surgeons, nurses, and administrative staff is also key to navigating these changes smoothly.

What is the difference between Operating Room Scheduler vs Surgical Scheduler?

AspectOperating Room SchedulerSurgical Scheduler
CredentialsTypically requires medical office or administrative certificationsSimilar certifications, often including medical office administration
Work EnvironmentHospitals, surgical centers, outpatient clinicsHospitals, outpatient surgical facilities, clinics
Employer & IndustryHealthcare providers, hospitalsHealthcare providers, surgical practices
Search & Comparison IntentFocuses on scheduling surgeries and operating room availabilityIncludes scheduling surgeries, coordinating with surgical teams

The main difference between an Operating Room Scheduler and a Surgical Scheduler lies in their scope. Operating Room Schedulers primarily focus on managing operating room schedules and availability, while Surgical Schedulers often handle broader tasks like coordinating with surgical teams and patient prep. Both roles require similar certifications and work in healthcare settings, but their specific responsibilities and focus areas differ slightly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an operating room scheduler, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Operating Room Scheduler, you need strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of medical terminology, with most employers requiring a high school diploma and experience in healthcare scheduling. Familiarity with hospital scheduling software, electronic health records (EHR) systems, and sometimes certification in medical administrative support are typically expected. Excellent communication, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to multitask under pressure are crucial soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure efficient surgical scheduling, minimize conflicts, and support optimal patient care and surgical team coordination.

What is an operating room scheduler?

Operating Room Schedulers are healthcare professionals responsible for coordinating and managing the scheduling of surgeries and procedures in a hospital or surgical center. They work closely with surgeons, nurses, patients, and administrative staff to ensure that operating rooms are efficiently utilized and that all necessary equipment and personnel are available. Their duties include managing surgical calendars, verifying patient information, and handling any changes or emergencies that may affect the surgical schedule. They play a critical role in maintaining smooth surgical operations and minimizing delays.
More about Operating ROOM Scheduler jobs
What cities are hiring for Operating Room Scheduler jobs? Cities with the most Operating Room Scheduler job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Operating Room Scheduler jobs? The top employers for Operating Room Scheduler jobs are:
What states have the most Operating Room Scheduler jobs? States with the most job openings for Operating Room Scheduler jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to Operating Room Scheduler jobs? For Operating Room Scheduler jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Operating Room Scheduler job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 65% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 6% Temporary, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $40,834 per year, or $19.6 per hour.

Registered Nurse (RN) Scheduler - Operating Room

VCU Health System

Richmond, VA

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago


VCU Health rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 171 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

305th of 887 rated healthcare providers


Job description

The RN Operating Room Scheduler is a licensed registered nurse who coordinates and manages surgical scheduling for inpatient, outpatient, and ambulatory procedures. This role ensures timely, accurate, and efficient scheduling while maintaining compliance with clinical protocols and patient safety standards. The RN leverages clinical judgment and critical thinking to optimize surgical workflows and enhance communication between clinic schedulers, providers, and surgical teams.

Essential Job Statements

Review patient charts and clinical documentation to assess readiness and appropriateness for surgery. Schedule inpatient, outpatient, and ambulatory surgical procedures based on physician orders, patient condition, and operating room availability. Ensure alignment with clinical protocols, resource capacity, and patient safety standards.

Proactively identify surgical cases appropriate for robotic-assisted procedures by reviewing patient charts, surgeon preferences, and clinical criteria. Collaborate with surgical teams to coordinate available robotic block time, ensuring optimal utilization of robotic systems. Balance scheduling needs between robotic and non-robotic cases to maximize operating room efficiency, reduce downtime, and support strategic growth in minimally invasive surgical services.

Establish and maintain strong working relationships with surgeons, anesthesiologists, perioperative nurses, and administrative staff to ensure seamless coordination of surgical logistics. Act as a central point of communication to align scheduling priorities, anticipate resource needs, and resolve conflicts. Collaborate closely with surgical teams to understand their preferences and procedural patterns, enabling strategic optimization of block time and improved operating room utilization.

Manage cancellations, reschedules, and urgent add-ons while notifying all affected parties promptly. Backfill with appropriate patients and procedures.

Assist in the orientation and ongoing training of new and existing scheduling staff, ensuring familiarity with surgical protocols, scheduling systems, and departmental workflows. Share clinical insights to enhance team understanding of procedure requirements, patient preparation, and interdepartmental coordination. Participate in process improvement initiatives and help identify training needs to promote efficiency, accuracy, and professional growth within the scheduling team.

Support the Scheduling and Optimization Manager in the development, review, and revision of scheduling policies and procedures to ensure alignment with clinical standards, regulatory requirements, and operational goals. Provide frontline insights to help shape best practices for surgical scheduling, block utilization, patient preparation, and interdepartmental coordination. Collaborate with nursing leadership and surgical services to identify gaps, recommend improvements, and support implementation of updated protocols.

Collect, review, and analyze scheduling data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement in surgical operations. Monitor key performance indicators such as block utilization, first-case on-time starts, cancellation rates, and case volume distribution. Use data insights to support decision-making, optimize scheduling practices, and contribute to strategic planning initiatives. Collaborate with perioperative leadership to present findings and recommend actionable solutions that enhance patient flow, resource allocation, and overall surgical throughput.

Patient Population: Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide equitable care appropriate to the age of the patients served on their assigned unit.Demonstrates knowledge and related competencies of the principles of growth and development of the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age, specific needs and to provide the equitable care needed as described in departmental policies and procedures. Neonates (0-4 weeks), Infant (1-12 months), Pediatrics (1-12 years), Adolescents (13-17 years), Adults (18-64 years), Geriatrics (65 years and older)

Employment Qualifications

Required Education: Associate's degree in Nursing/ AN

Preferred Education: Bachelors degree in Nursing/ BSN

Licensing/ Certification

Licensure/Certification Required: Current active nursing license

Licensure/Certification Preferred: CNOR

Minimum Qualifications

Years and Type of Required Experience Required: 2 years' operating room experience

Preferred: Previous surgeon clinic nursing or paranesthesia experience preferred Level 1 teaching hospital preferred

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: Excellent customer service skills, ability to read and interpret MD notes, Strong understanding of medical terminology, surgical procedures, and patient care workflows

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred: EPIC, Excel, Tableau

Working Conditions: Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur. General office environment. May have periods of constant interruptions. Prolonged periods of working alone.

Physical Requirements

Physical Demands: N/A

Work Position: Sitting

Additional Physical Requirements/ Hazards

Physical Requirements: Repetitive arm/hand movements

Hazards: N/A

Mental/Sensory -Emotional

Mental / Sensory: Strong Recall, Reasoning,Problem Solving, Hearing, Speak Clearly, Write Legibly, Reading, Logical Thinking

Emotional: Fast pace environment, Steady Pace, Able to Handle Multiple Priorities,Frequent and Intense Customer Interactions,Able to Adapt to Frequent Change

EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran


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