Circulating Registered Nurse

Indiana Joint Replacement Institute•Noblesville, IN

About The Position

The Circulating Registered Nurse is responsible for patient safety and nursing care while patients are transferred to and from the operating room and while they are in the operating suite. The role provides direct or indirect patient care using specialized nursing knowledge and judgment, including preoperative patient visits and assessment, intraoperative safety, and collaboration with physicians and anesthesia personnel. The nurse prepares and sets up operating rooms for procedures, checks supplies and equipment, supports aseptic techniques, helps care for and sterilize instruments, and maintains operating-room supplies and cleanliness. The role also includes transporting and preparing patients, reviewing preoperative records, maintaining operating-room documentation, recording orders and medications, managing counts, and assisting the surgical team throughout procedures. This position requires graduation from an accredited School of Nursing and current Indiana licensure as an RN or LPN. Healthcare experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Experience in outpatient healthcare operations or an ambulatory surgery center is preferred, and orthopedic surgery experience is desirable. The employee must be knowledgeable in facility equipment and technology, including C-arm, patient monitors, defibrillators, medical recording devices, computers, and emergency equipment. The work includes desk duties and interaction with patients, staff, and physicians, and may require travel between assigned facilities and community locations, as well as minimal travel to meetings. Direct patient care regularly involves lifting and moving patients weighing up to 200 pounds and assisting with ambulation; coworkers may assist. The role may require frequent prolonged standing and bending. The work environment is a healthcare facility with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, with possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases or materials.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the state of Indiana.
Healthcare experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge of the operation of facility equipment and technology, including C-arm, patient monitors, defibrillators, medical recording devices, computers, and emergency equipment.
Ability to lift and move patients weighing up to 200 pounds and assist with ambulation; coworkers may provide assistance.
Ability to stand for frequent prolonged periods and bend over.

Nice To Haves

Experience in outpatient healthcare operations or an ambulatory surgery center setting is preferred.
Experience in orthopedic surgery is desirable.

Responsibilities

Use specialized nursing knowledge and judgment when providing direct or indirect patient care.
Visit patients before surgery to alleviate fears and assess potential nursing problems.
Assist with proper care, sterilization, storage, wrapping, and sterilizer operation for instruments and supplies.
Support safe aseptic techniques and procedures adopted by the department.
Clean and stock operating rooms at the end of the day; put away laundry and supplies and know where supplies are stored.
Prepare operating rooms for each case and set up required equipment, instrument trays, packs, and supplies.
Assist anesthesia personnel with intubation and extubation, anesthetic blocks, and patient thermoregulation.
Maintain intraoperative patient safety during positioning and use of equipment, chemicals, and solutions.
Check rooms for supplies and prepare them for the specific patient and procedure.
Transport patients to the operating room and check records for appropriate preoperative preparation and procedure information, including EKG, consents, medication lists, and medical history.
Maintain operating-room records, implant cards, and patient charts.
Complete appropriate surgical preparation, including EKG monitors, blood pressure cuffs, oxygen saturation equipment, and prep.
Assist with safe patient positioning.
Perform and document sponge, needle, and instrument counts.
Receive and document physicians’ orders.
Obtain and record medications administered during surgery.
Inform the Clinical Nurse Manager of medication and supply needs, including weekly supply needs.
Secure and check emergency equipment and supplies monthly and as needed.
Provide assistance to physicians and anesthesia personnel as needed.
Help maintain the general tone of the operating room.
Work efficiently as a member of the surgical team during procedures.
Conduct narcotic counts with anesthesia personnel.
Perform other assigned duties as needed.