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RN Education Coordinator, Surgical Services - Day Shift

Mercyhealth · Rockford, IL · $73,108–$109,661 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

What perioperative experience do you have, and how have you taught other nurses?

What they are checking: Whether they have both OR depth and real teaching experience for this educator role.

Tell me about a time you taught a group that did not want to be there.

What they are checking: Engagement skills with busy, experienced staff who may resist education.

What would you do

A preceptor tells you a new nurse is not progressing. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can address performance fairly with a clear plan and timeline.

How would you build an annual education calendar with unit leaders?

What they are checking: Planning that balances staff needs with surgical schedules.

How do you help nurses move up the clinical ladder or earn national certification?

What they are checking: Commitment to professional growth and practical support for staff.

About the work

Walk me through how you would onboard a new graduate nurse in the operating room.

What they are checking: Whether they can build a structured plan that works with unit preceptors.

How would you run an educational needs assessment for the surgical services staff?

What they are checking: Use of data, observation and occurrences to target teaching where it matters.

How do you validate competencies in skills like counts, positioning or sterile technique?

What they are checking: Whether they verify skills through observation, not just sign-off sheets.

How would you teach the clinical parts of the electronic medical record in the OR?

What they are checking: Whether they can make EMR training relevant to perioperative workflow.

How do you know if your education actually changed practice?

What they are checking: Whether they measure outcomes, not just attendance.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Mercyhealth.

OVERVIEW The Operating Room RN Education Coordinator leads the design, implementation, and evaluation of educational initiatives for perioperative nursing staff. This role promotes clinical excellence by supporting new staff onboarding, validating competencies, and fostering continuous professional growth within the surgical services department. Shift: Day Shift Hours Schedule: Monday to Friday ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Serves as primary educator for new staff in their entity and coordinates with each unit preceptor • Participates in education as appropriate for the Electronic Medical Record, especially as it relates to clinical content • Is a mentor for new employees and new graduate nurses by supporting the new employee through programs such as the new grad support group and the preceptor group. • Conducts periodic educational needs assessments and develops educational programs based on the identified needs. • Identifies clinical learning needs through use of a variety of methods including observation, staff meetings, occurrences, unit-based data and partner input • In collaboration with unit leadership, creates an annual calendar of planned educational offerings and updates throughout the year • Enhances partner growth through promoting clinical ladder level advancement and attainment of national certification. • Assists partners in portfolio development and in attaining education required to achieve national specialty certification • Participates in unit-based meetings including Nurse Practice Council, Professional Development Council and routine staff meetings, sharing upcoming learning opportunities along with identified needs within the department • Implements innovative instructional methods for use in meeting the educational needs of all nursing department personnel. • Coordinates outside consultants and trainers who conduct training on specific topics (i.e. vendors whose new products have been selected for use within the hospital). • Maintains class evaluations of instructors, consultants, and trainers. • Assists directors and clinical nurse specialists in maintaining unit bulletin boards. • Obtains CEU's for programs as appropriate • Collaborates with others in order to provide monthly newsletters • Facilitates Evidence Based Practice initiatives by providing resources and direction to nurses and dissemination of other entity research and best practice initiatives. • Assists in coordinating education as requested to all components of the health system (i.e. Harvard, Walworth, clinics). • Participates as a member of the Education Team for house wide education and dissemination of information. • Collaborates with Clinical Nurse Specialists and system education coordinators in coordinating annual nursing documentation and skills fair. • Plans and hosts unit-based skills validations as appropriate to the department • Coordinates and participates in teaching programs as appropriate for areas of expertise such as EKG Class, CCRN review, monthly nursing education classes. • Participates in writing and updating policies/procedures as appropriate • Maintains records for mandatory certifications of staff as appropriate for their units EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE • ADN or BSN from an accredited BSN Completion Program required. • MSN preferred. • Two or more years RN experience, or one or more years RN experience in area of specialty. CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE • Licensed as an RN in state of practice • Approved BLS certification required within 90 days • Other certification per unit requirements: ACLS, PALS, PEARS, NRP PAY RANGE: $73,107.50 - $109,661.26 Mercyhealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Mercyhealth offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package including: • Medical, Dental, Vision • Life & Disability Insurance • FSA/HSA Options • Generous, accruing paid time off • Paid Parental and caregiver leave • Career advancement and educational opportunities • Tuition and certification reimbursement • Certification Reimbursement • Well-being Programs • Employee Discounts • On-Demand Pay • Financial Education • Annual recognition/awards events • Partner appreciation days • Family entertainment/attractions discount • Community service/improvement opportunities Click here for more details regarding Mercyhealth Careers Benefit Information. At Mercyhealth, we don’t simply hire people, we empower employee-partners who are passionate about making lives better. As an integrated health system, we deliver exceptional, coordinated across seven hospitals, 85 primary and specialty clinics, and a team of over 7,500 professionals serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Mercyhealth has been nationally recognized for our commitment to our people and culture, including: • #1 in the nation on AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50 • One of Working Mother magazine's 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers • A Top 50 Company and Top 10 Nonprofit for Executive Women

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