Registered Nurse - Open Heart Surgery
About The Position
The Registered Nurse (RN) – Open Heart Surgery provides specialized perioperative nursing care for patients undergoing complex cardiovascular surgical procedures, including Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) and heart valve surgeries. Working collaboratively with surgeons, anesthesiologists, perfusionists, and the surgical team, the RN circulates surgical cases, coordinates patient care throughout the operative process, and helps ensure patient safety, quality, and clinical outcomes. The RN is a key operating-room resource and supports efficient surgical operations through teamwork, regulatory compliance, and performance improvement initiatives. Saint Michael's Medical Center is a 358-bed regional tertiary-care, teaching, and research center in Newark, New Jersey. Established by the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor in 1867, the hospital is accredited by The Joint Commission and is home to the Heart and Vascular Institute. The position is full-time on days in the Surgery department.
Requirements
- Current, unrestricted State Registered Nurse (RN) license.
- Current BLS certification from the American Heart Association (AHA).
- Current ACLS certification from the AHA within 30 days of hire and maintained throughout employment.
- Current PALS certification from the AHA within 30 days of hire and maintained throughout employment.
- At least one year of perioperative nursing experience or equivalent surgical services training.
- Recent open-heart surgery experience.
- Demonstrated ability to circulate CABG and valve surgery cases.
- Strong knowledge of perioperative nursing practices, sterile technique, patient safety standards, and cardiovascular surgical procedures.
- Excellent clinical judgment, communication, and teamwork skills.
Nice To Haves
- CNOR (Certified Nurse Operating Room) certification.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
- Experience in a cardiovascular operating room within an acute-care hospital setting.
Responsibilities
- Circulate open-heart surgical procedures, including CABG and valve replacement or repair cases.
- Provide perioperative nursing care through patient assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
- Prepare and maintain the operating-room environment, equipment, instruments, and supplies for cardiovascular procedures.
- Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, perfusionists, surgical technologists, and interdisciplinary team members to support safe and efficient surgical care.
- Monitor patient status throughout the perioperative process and advocate for patient safety.
- Coordinate care transitions and communicate with surgical and postoperative care teams.
- Direct and support OR technicians and ancillary personnel during surgical procedures.
- Comply with hospital policies, regulatory requirements, infection-prevention standards, and surgical best practices.
- Participate in quality improvement initiatives, staff education, department meetings, and ongoing professional development.
- Serve as a clinical resource and mentor for perioperative staff as appropriate.
Benefits
- Paid time off.
- 401(k) retirement plan.
- Medical coverage.
- Dental coverage.
- Vision coverage.
- Tuition reimbursement.
- Voluntary benefit options.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
