Operating Room RN

Veterans Health Administration • Madison, WI

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Operating Room Registered Nurse (OR RN), also known as a Perioperative RN, provides and coordinates intraoperative care for surgical patients in a six-suite operating room. The RN applies the nursing process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation in an ongoing, systematic manner and is accountable for patient outcomes related to nursing care during surgical and invasive procedures. The role works with the multidisciplinary surgical team to coordinate patient-focused care across the continuum and participates in unit- and program-level quality improvement and customer service initiatives.

The OR RN is expected to function proficiently as either a circulator or scrub nurse and to be competent in the surgical specialties served. The position includes circulating cases; scrubbing at least cases in the RN’s specialty; computer charting and ordering; updating surgeon preference cards; preparing cases for the following day; and coordinating with vendors, the Perioperative Business Manager, and the Perioperative Nurse Educator regarding specialty needs, procedures, and equipment. The RN maintains knowledge of current AORN standards, VHA directives, and facility and service guidance.

The RN protects patients from injury and infection, maintains the sterility of the surgical field, uses instruments and equipment safely, performs surgical counts and time-out procedures, and follows documentation procedures for implants and tissue products. The RN manages specimens, administers medications safely, supports wound and tissue perfusion, and ensures timely, complete, and accurate documentation in the electronic health record. Before surgery, the RN reviews patient history, laboratory results, allergies, and other relevant information and interviews the patient in pre-op. During the case, the RN communicates with and supports the patient’s family or support person and documents that communication.

Each OR RN is assigned to a surgical specialty as a service coordinator. In coordination with other specialty coordinators, the RN helps ensure specialty needs are met, communicates case-specific needs to surgical staff and instrument needs to sterile processing, coordinates equipment or purchase needs, maintains supply and inventory knowledge, reviews annual par levels with logistics, updates preference cards, and serves as a resource for staff outside the specialty during orientation and as needed.

The position participates in the OR on-call rotation for emergency procedures during off tours, including nights, weekends, and holidays. The stated regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 6:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.; on-call duties also include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Telework, relocation/recruitment incentives, and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from a professional nursing program accredited by ACEN or CCNE, or another qualifying nursing education pathway described in the announcement.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted RN registration in a U.S. State, Territory, or Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; the announcement describes a temporary Graduate Nurse Technician exception for certain eligible candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the applicable VA Nurse grade and level criteria for education, experience, and dimensions of practice.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination.
• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated VA position must undergo urinalysis for illegal drug use; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• May be required to serve a probationary period and is subject to background and security investigation.
• Complete the online onboarding process if selected.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Meet the physical requirements of walking, bending, stooping, some lifting, possible extended sitting, and wearing a lead apron for an extended period.
• Participate in the OR on-call rotation, including coverage for emergency procedures during nights, weekends, and holidays.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or higher.
• Recent RN experience in an operating room.
• Scrub experience.
• CNOR recognition.

Responsibilities

• Provide and coordinate intraoperative nursing care for patients undergoing surgical or invasive procedures, applying the nursing process in an ongoing and systematic manner.
• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary surgical team to coordinate patient-focused care throughout the continuum.
• Participate in unit- and program-level quality improvement initiatives and customer service programs.
• Function proficiently in the circulator or scrub role and maintain competency in the surgical specialties served.
• Circulate cases and scrub at least cases in the RN’s area of specialty.
• Complete computer charting and ordering, update surgeon preference cards, and prepare cases for the following day.
• Coordinate with vendors, the Perioperative Business Manager, and the Perioperative Nurse Educator regarding specialty needs, new procedures, and equipment.
• Maintain knowledge of current AORN standards, VHA directives, and facility- and service-level guidance.
• Maintain the sterility of the surgical field and ensure instruments and equipment are used safely and efficiently.
• Protect patients from chemical, electrical, mechanical, thermal, and other sources of injury; perform counts and participate in time-outs to prevent retained items and confirm the correct site, side, and level.
• Follow policies and procedures for implant and tissue-product documentation; manage specimens appropriately; administer medications safely; support wound and tissue perfusion; and help prevent surgical site infections.
• Ensure perioperative care is documented accurately, completely, and on time in the electronic health record.
• Review patient history, laboratory results, allergies, and other relevant information and interview the patient in the pre-op area.
• Communicate with and support the patient’s family or support person during the case and document the communication in the electronic health record.
• Serve as a coordinator for an assigned surgical specialty, working with other coordinators to meet the specialty’s needs.
• Communicate case- and patient-specific needs to surgical staff and instrument needs to sterile processing.
• Coordinate new equipment and purchasing needs with the Perioperative Business Manager; maintain knowledge of inventory and supplies; and review annual par levels with logistics.
• Ensure preference cards are reviewed and updated in a timely manner and serve as a resource for staff outside the specialty during orientation and as needed.
• Participate in the OR on-call rotation to provide emergency patient care during off tours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Benefits

• The VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package for nurses.
• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

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