Registered Nurse (Operating Room)

Veterans Health Administration • Richmond, VA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Veterans Affairs Operating Room in Richmond, Virginia, is a state-of-the-art surgical facility providing care to Veterans. The Richmond VAMC is a 1a complex facility with nine operating rooms serving specialties including neurosurgery, orthopedics, ophthalmology, podiatry, gynecology, plastics, cardiac, thoracic, bariatrics, robotic surgery, ENT, and general surgery.

The Nurse II Perioperative Operating Room Registered Nurse is accountable for patient outcomes related to nursing care during surgical and invasive procedures. The RN plans, directs, and coordinates each patient's care, recognizing the individual needs of the patient and the contributions of the care team. The nurse is expected to work proficiently as both circulator and scrub nurse and be competent across the surgical specialties served. The role follows current AORN standards, VHA directives, and service-level standard operating procedures, and ensures a sterile surgical field and safe, efficient use of instruments and equipment.

The RN protects patients from injury, performs surgical counts, participates in the Time Out process, follows implant and tissue product documentation procedures, manages specimens, administers medications safely, and takes measures to maintain wound and tissue perfusion and prevent surgical site infections. The nurse ensures timely, complete, and accurate documentation in the electronic health record, and follows procedures for reusable medical equipment, consulting Sterile Processing or Infection Control as needed. On-call coverage during off-tour hours is required for emergency procedures. The nurse also demonstrates leadership, evaluates practice using best evidence, provides constructive feedback, and supports colleagues' professional development.

This is a full-time position with a day schedule and rotation to evening shifts as needed, including weekly rotations to support evening staffing. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. 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 VA provisions for bridge-program candidates or graduates of foreign nursing schools.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered professional nurse license in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a Graduate Nurse Technician exception may apply to qualifying candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the education, experience, and dimension criteria for the applicable VA Nurse grade; the described position is Nurse II.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Pass required pre-employment urinalysis, background/security investigation, and physical evaluation/examination; complete onboarding and application requirements.
• Comply with the seasonal influenza vaccination program and VHA-mandated vaccinations and employee health requirements.
• Be available for on-call coverage during off-tour hours for emergency procedures and rotation to evening shifts as needed.
• Meet the physical requirements of direct patient care, including lifting, prolonged standing and sitting, bending, stooping, walking, reaching, repetitive motion, and climbing stairs.
• Meet the position's mental and sensory requirements, including information processing and retention, reading, recall, reasoning, complex problem-solving, hearing, clear speech, writing, keyboarding, telephone use, and use of video connectivity.
• Provide face-to-face patient care and use available IT software and equipment, including timely and accurate navigation and documentation in electronic medical records.
• Adapt to a steady-to-fast-paced environment, multiple priorities, frequent and sometimes intense customer interactions, and changes in a sometimes-noisy environment; use personal protective equipment when needed.
• Work with patients who may have communication difficulties, cognitive loss, behavioral challenges, or altered mentation, and with stressed caregivers; collaborate with multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and coordinate care for patients undergoing operative and other invasive procedures.
• Function proficiently in both the circulator and scrub roles and maintain competence 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 use instrumentation and equipment safely and efficiently.
• Protect patients from chemical, electrical, mechanical, thermal, and other sources of injury.
• Perform counting procedures to prevent unintended retained surgical items and participate in the Time Out process to confirm the correct site, side, and level.
• Follow implant and tissue/tissue-based product documentation, policies, and procedures.
• Manage specimens appropriately, administer medications safely, maintain wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline, and implement interventions to prevent surgical site infection.
• Complete timely, comprehensive, and accurate documentation of perioperative care in the electronic health record.
• Know which reusable instruments, equipment, medical devices, and supplies are used in the clinical area; obtain, read, and follow applicable RME SOPs and consult Sterile Processing or Infection Control as needed.
• Provide on-call patient care during off-tour hours for emergency procedures.
• Demonstrate leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaboration.
• Evaluate practice on an ongoing basis using best evidence, provide peers with constructive feedback, and foster a safe and supportive environment for professional development.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, 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.
• 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
• Career Level: Mid Level