Registered Nurse - Operating Room

WellSpan Health•Chambersburg, PA

About The Position

The Registered Nurse works in Surgical Services, which includes 11 operating rooms, including Cystoscopy and Obstetrics suites. The department supports a wide range of specialties, including orthopedics, general surgery, vascular surgery, neurosurgery, ENT, plastics, OB/GYN, urology, and robotic surgery using the Da Vinci Xi. The unit also handles urgent and emergent cases and cesarean sections 24 hours a day, seven days a week. RN orientation includes a comprehensive Relias program. The schedule is based on operating seven to eight rooms Monday through Friday. Day shifts are 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. or 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; the description also notes running eight rooms per day until 3:30 p.m. and five rooms from 3:30–7:30 p.m. The position averages 80 hours biweekly and is listed as an 8-hour day shift. Weekend work is as needed, and the role participates in call coverage. Seven-day call coverage is described for 3:30 p.m.–7:00 a.m.; Saturday staffing and subsequent call coverage are also specified in the posting. Weekend differential is available. The Registered Nurse is responsible and accountable for implementing, directing, and coordinating patient care through assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation. This includes recognizing and addressing physical and psychosocial changes relevant to the age and population served. In the operating room, the nurse assesses and monitors patients, prepares the room and equipment, supports the surgical team, maintains aseptic technique and safety standards, accounts for supplies and specimens, documents care, and coordinates handoffs and transfer to PACU.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
Eligible for or currently licensed as a Registered Professional Nurse in Pennsylvania.
CPR certification required.
Experience applying customer-service behaviors and communication skills required.
Evidence of participation in educational programs to update and maintain current knowledge and clinical skills.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing is preferred, not required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Previous nursing experience in the specialty area.
Certification in the specialty.
CNOR certification for the OR.

Responsibilities

Implement, direct, and coordinate patient care through assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Recognize and address physical and psychosocial changes relevant to the patient’s age and population group.
Demonstrate safe medication practices, accurately transcribe physician orders, and complete chart checks for missed orders.
Use therapeutic communication, assess patient education needs, and use patient education resources.
Participate in unit activities by attending at least 50% of staff or committee meetings and area in-services.
Demonstrate leadership through the nursing process and supervision, maintaining accountability for treatment and patient outcomes; serve as a resource for patient care, specialty practice, orientation, and staff teaching.
Analyze assessment data, identify priority problems, document the plan of care, and use problem-solving skills to plan care.
Identify significant changes in patient condition and respond appropriately, including in emergency situations.
Complete and document discharge assessments against plan-of-care goals; initiate and maintain intravenous therapy according to standards.
Use proper body mechanics and safely position, transfer, and transport patients.
Function as a virtual nurse when assigned, including admissions, discharges, education, documentation through a virtual platform, and collaboration with bedside nursing staff.
Identify patients before OR admission and assess the operative site; review health history and anesthesia assessments for factors that may require protocol adjustments.
Continuously assess patients during surgery and promptly report abnormalities to the surgeon or anesthesia personnel; report pertinent intraoperative information to PACU staff.
Plan for and obtain appropriate equipment and supplies for each procedure and physician preference, including assisting with radiological procedures and equipment needs.
Position and drape patients according to protocols, prepare skin for surgery, and maintain a sterile field and aseptic technique to prevent injury and infection.
Obtain and account for needles, sponges, sutures, instruments, and other supplies, and document counts and implant records according to policy.
Handle surgical specimens according to policy and procedure.
Prepare patients for transfer to PACU under the direction of the surgeon and anesthesia personnel; provide accurate SBAR handoffs between levels of care.
Complete unit-based competencies for the electrosurgical unit, procedural counts, and Orthopat-Zimmer.
Document accurately in the ORM portion of Meditech and maintain required surgical safety practices, including Universal Protocol, sharps safety, no-pass-zone, PPE, medication labeling, and specimen handling.
Monitor relevant SCIPS information and follow practice and hospital protocols.
Prepare operating rooms and set up tables, instruments, and supplies for cases; prepare rooms between procedures and after terminal cleaning, and monitor and restock supplies.
Assist the surgical team during procedures, including retracting tissue under direction, maintaining correct counts, and caring for specimens.