Operating Room Registered Nurse

Veterans Health Administration • Tulsa, OK

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Perioperative Operating Room Registered Nurse (RN) is accountable for patient outcomes arising from nursing care provided to patients undergoing surgical or invasive procedures. The RN is expected to function proficiently in both the circulator and scrub roles and to be competent across all surgical specialties served. The role includes planning, directing, and coordinating each patient's perioperative care; maintaining a sterile surgical field and using instrumentation and equipment safely and efficiently; and protecting patients from injury and unintended retained surgical items. The nurse participates in the Time Out process, follows implant and tissue-product documentation procedures, manages specimens, administers medication safely, and performs interventions to preserve wound and tissue perfusion and prevent surgical site infections. The RN ensures that care during the perioperative experience is documented accurately, completely, and promptly in the electronic health record, and knows the reusable instruments, equipment, medical devices, and supplies used in the clinical area. The position requires on-call availability during off-tour hours for emergency procedures.

The position is with the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System, a Joint Commission-accredited Level 1c complexity system consisting of a 61-bed hospital in Muskogee and six community-based outpatient clinics. The stated work schedule is Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with an on-call component. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying education under the stated bridge-program or foreign-nursing-education provisions.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted professional nurse registration in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a temporary Graduate Nurse Technician appointment may be available to qualifying candidates pursuing licensure.
• U.S. citizenship, except where non-citizens may be appointed under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Selected applicants must complete required pre-employment screening and onboarding, including drug testing for testing-designated positions, a background/security investigation, and a physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• May be required to serve a probationary period.
• Physical capacity for direct patient care, potentially including prolonged walking, standing, or sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling, and use of safe patient-handling and mobility protocols.

Nice To Haves

• One year of operating room experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and coordinate care for patients undergoing operative and other invasive procedures.
• Maintain the sterility of the surgical field and ensure instruments and equipment are used safely and efficiently.
• Protect patients from injury caused by chemical, electrical, mechanical, or thermal sources and extraneous objects.
• Perform counting procedures to prevent unintended retained surgical items.
• Participate in the Time Out process to confirm the correct site, side, and level.
• Follow documentation policies and procedures for implants and tissue or tissue-based products.
• Manage patient specimens appropriately and administer medication safely and correctly.
• Perform interventions to maintain wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline and protect patients from surgical site infection.
• Document all perioperative care promptly, completely, and accurately in the electronic health record.
• Know which reusable instruments, equipment, medical devices, and supplies are in use in the clinical area.
• Provide patient care for emergency procedures when on call during off-tour hours.

Benefits

• 50 days of paid time off per year: 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree