Registered Nurse - Operating Room

Veterans Health Administration • Boston, MA

10d • Onsite

About The Position

This full-time Registered Nurse position is in the Ambulatory Care Service at the Jamaica Plain VA Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The nurse provides and coordinates perioperative care for patients undergoing surgical and other invasive procedures, with accountability for patient outcomes. Surgical specialties include ophthalmology, ENT, plastics, general surgery, GU, GYN, and orthopedics. The incumbent may be assigned to the scrub or circulating role and must function proficiently in both roles across the surgical specialties served. The work schedule is a full-time daytime tour of duty, 40 hours per week, with rotation for late-case coverage as needed. The position is not virtual; relocation is not authorized.

The RN plans, directs, and coordinates patient care while respecting each patient and recognizing the contributions of the care team. The nurse coordinates care with a focus on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care; administers medications and procedures according to policies and guidelines; and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team. The role requires maintaining knowledge of current AORN standards, VHA directives, and service-level procedures. The nurse maintains the sterile field, uses instruments and equipment safely and efficiently, protects patients from injury, performs counts to prevent retained surgical items, participates in the Time Out process to verify the correct site, side, and level, and follows implant and tissue-based product documentation and procedures.

The position requires a current, full, active, unrestricted nursing registration in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, along with qualifying nursing education from an accredited program. Applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English. A Graduate Nurse Technician temporary appointment may be available to otherwise qualified candidates pursuing licensure.

Requirements

• Graduate from a professional nursing program accredited by ACEN or CCNE, or meet the stated qualifying foreign-education or nursing bridge-program provisions.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered nurse licensure in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a temporary Graduate Nurse Technician appointment may be possible for eligible candidates pursuing licensure.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Ability to perform the position's duties satisfactorily; a pre-placement physical examination is required.
• Two years of operating room experience in both circulating and scrub roles is stated as required under Preferred Experience.
• U.S. citizenship is required unless recruitment of qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
• Selected applicants must meet applicable pre-employment screening, identification, background/security investigation, onboarding, and credentialing requirements; designated positions require pre-appointment drug testing.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• Education used to qualify must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires the specified equivalency documentation.

Nice To Haves

• Operating room experience in ophthalmology.
• CNOR certification.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and coordinate care for patients undergoing surgical and other invasive procedures.
• Coordinate care with a focus on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
• Administer medications and perform procedures in accordance with established policies and guidelines.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to influence patient outcomes.
• Function proficiently in both circulating and scrub roles and be competent in the surgical specialties served.
• Maintain knowledge of current AORN standards, VHA directives, and service-level standard operating 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, and thermal sources, as well as 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, policy, and procedures for implants and tissue or tissue-based products.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular salary increases and potential performance awards.
• 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, and 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.

What This Job Offers

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