CLINICAL NURSE I - OPERATING ROOM NURSING

Cook County•Chicago, IL

2d•$38 - $52•Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Nurse I in Operating Room Nursing is specially trained to provide nursing care throughout the perioperative period, from preoperative assessment through intraoperative intervention and postoperative evaluation. The role uses the nursing process to meet patient needs and ensure continuity of care during the surgical experience. The nurse performs scrub or circulating duties, prepares the operating room and supplies, assesses and supports patients, assists the surgical and anesthesia teams, documents care and materials used, and helps maintain and clean the operating room. The position also contributes to staff education, professional development, research, and efficient management of the Perioperative area. This position is at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital in Stroger Perioperative Services, with a shift from 10:30 p.m. to 6:45 a.m. Pay is $38.203–$52.061, commensurate with disclosed and documented experience. The position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, and internal eligible applicants will be considered before external applicants.

Requirements

Current license as a Registered Professional Nurse in the State of Illinois; proof is required at interview if already obtained.
One year of Operating Room experience within the past six years, or proof at interview of completing a Senior Synthesis or Capstone rotation in an Operating Room or Perioperative Services.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification; proof is required at interview if already obtained.
Working knowledge of current requirements of accrediting and regulatory agencies.
Interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills for working with people from varied socioeconomic backgrounds.
Strong emergency response, customer service, and empathy skills.
Analytical, organizational, problem-solving, critical-thinking, and conflict-management or resolution skills.
Attention to detail, accuracy, and precision.
Ability to resolve complex patient or administration problems and research issues; prioritize, plan, and organize projects and tasks; and maintain professional demeanor and composure when challenged.
Ability to work autonomously and as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
Ability to see and hear clearly, including with correction.
Ability to tolerate exposure to unpleasant noise, odors, and temperatures; walk extensively; lift moderately heavy objects; climb stairs; and consistently push, pull, twist, turn, bend, kneel, stoop, lift, reach above the shoulder, and stand for prolonged periods.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited college or university.
Two years of Cardiothoracic Operating Room experience in scrub and circulating roles.
Two years of Neurosurgery Operating Room experience in scrub and circulating roles.
Two years of Vascular Operating Room experience in scrub and circulating roles.
Two years of Orthopedic Operating Room experience in scrub and circulating roles.
One year of Operating Room robotics experience in scrub and circulating roles.
One year of Operating Room nursing experience in scrub and circulating roles.
Certification in perioperative nursing.
Bilingual ability.

Responsibilities

Perform in a scrub or circulating role.
Prepare for scheduled procedures by reviewing assignments, anatomy, surgeon preferences, procedure sequence, and requested instrumentation or prosthetics.
Attend report and prepare the operating room, including damp dusting surfaces, checking supplies against preference cards, confirming blood product availability, opening sterile supplies, performing baseline counts, and checking lights and equipment.
Receive patients from Pre-Op, verify required documentation and identification, assess physical and psychosocial needs, provide support and explanations, and assist with safe movement and positioning.
Ensure required members of the surgical team are present before anesthesia begins, remain with the patient during induction, and assist the anesthesiologist as needed.
Perform pre-induction and pre-incision time-outs with the surgical and anesthesia teams.
Assess patient skin integrity, prepare the skin, place the grounding pad, assist with gowning, and connect suction and electrosurgical equipment.
Manage surgical-field supplies and medications, including checking labels and expiration dates with scrub staff and notifying the anesthesiologist when specified medications are on the field.
Ensure counts are performed when scrub or circulating staff are permanently relieved, and accurately complete and document final counts with scrub staff.
Coordinate upcoming cases and notify the Control Desk if a room delay may affect the next scheduled surgery.
Document supplies, implants, medications, nursing interventions, and required procedure information.
Remain in the operating room unless properly relieved, and notify scrub staff before leaving to obtain supplies when necessary.
Prepare dressings, gurney, and suction; clean the patient, apply dressings, connect drains, assist with extubation, and transfer the patient to a gurney.
At procedure end, clean and stock the room, return supplies, furniture, and equipment to their designated locations, ensure specimens reach the specimen refrigerator, assist with equipment collection and room cleaning, complete and submit documentation, sign out, and record the next case time.
Perform special weekly assignments as needed.
Support the hospital nursing philosophy and goals, maintain clinical competence, and participate in continuing education and competency-building activities.
Act as a role model or preceptor for staff, orientees, and students in collaboration with nursing staff and the clinical instructor.
Participate in staff meetings, unit and patient-care conferences, committees, and professional organizations to coordinate care and contribute to professional practice.
Provide ethical care that respects patient rights, incorporate current research into practice, support departmental research, and contribute to efficient operation of the Perioperative area.