Registered Nurse - Surgical Services Operating Room

Henry Ford Health • Jackson, MI

2d

About The Position

The Registered Nurse works in the Surgical Services Operating Room at Henry Ford Jackson Hospital, a team-focused department with 12 operating rooms, including specialized cardiac, vascular hybrid, and urology suites. The department cares for patients undergoing procedures ranging from elective surgeries to trauma and organ donation procedures. RN circulators coordinate patient care in a 1:1 nurse-to-patient environment, maintain safety and sterile technique, and collaborate with surgeons, CRNAs, residents, and surgical technologists.

The role involves coordinating surgical care from preoperative assessment through the procedure and patient education. Nurses work in a supportive environment with structured orientation and opportunities to develop skills across multiple surgical specialties. The schedule is three 12-hour shifts per week, 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with approximately three to four weekends per year in the weekend rotation, participation in the holiday rotation, and three to four call shifts during each six-week scheduling period.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited school of nursing.
• Minimum of 1 year of operating room circulating experience.
• Current licensure by the Michigan State Board of Nursing.
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification.
• Demonstrated clinical expertise in sterile technique, infection control, and patient safety protocols.
• Ability to anticipate surgical team needs and adapt quickly in a fast-paced, specialized surgical environment.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with surgeons, anesthesia providers, surgical technologists, and interdisciplinary team members.
• An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is acceptable with a commitment to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) within 5 years of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• Background as an operating room technician, scrub nurse, or anesthesia technician.
• Experience across multiple surgical specialties, including cardiac, vascular, urology, or trauma procedures.
• Advanced critical thinking skills and demonstrated ability to identify and resolve intraoperative variances.
• Active engagement in continuous professional development and quality improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary circulating nurse, coordinating patient care throughout surgical procedures and adhering to sterile technique and safety protocols.
• Conduct preoperative assessments, review patient history, verify informed consent, and communicate relevant information to the surgical team.
• Prepare and maintain the operating room, ensuring equipment, instruments, and supplies are organized, functional, and accessible.
• Implement infection control measures, verify surgical site markings, and ensure compliance with The Joint Commission standards and hospital policies.
• Communicate with surgeons, anesthesia providers, surgical technologists, and other team members to anticipate needs and coordinate case flow.
• Document nursing notes accurately and promptly, including patient responses, medications, specimens, and intraoperative complications or variances.
• Provide patient and family education about surgical procedures, postoperative expectations, and discharge instructions.
• Identify and implement solutions to address variances from expected patient outcomes and contribute to continuous quality improvement initiatives.

What This Job Offers

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