Registered Nurse - Operating Room Staff Nurse

Perioperative Operating Room Registered Nurse (RN)

The Perioperative Operating Room (OR) Registered Nurse (RN) is accountable for patient outcomes resulting from the nursing care for the patient undergoing a surgical/invasive procedure. The focus is on individual growth and development in practice with increased levels of self-direction. The nurse brings principles and theory with limited application of critical thinking skills. The OR RN plans, directs, and coordinates the care of every patient undergoing operative and other invasive procedures, taking into consideration respect for the individual and recognition of the important contribution that each team member makes to the patient's well-being.

The OR RN is expected to function proficiently as the circulator within the OR and to be competent in all surgical specialties served. The OR RN maintains knowledge of current Association of peri-Operative Registered Nurses (AORN) standards, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Directives, and service level standard operating procedures (SOPs). The OR RN assures the sterility of the surgical field is maintained and all instrumentation and equipment in play is used in a safe and efficient manner.

Protects the patient from injury caused by chemical, electrical, mechanical, and thermal sources, and extraneous objects, performs counting procedures to protect the patient from unintended retained surgical items, participates in the Time Out process to ensure correct site, side, and level, and follows implant and tissue/tissue-based product documentation, policy, and procedures. Manages the patient's specimens in the appropriate manner, administers medications safely and correctly, performs interventions to maintain the patient's wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline levels, and performs interventions to protect the patient from surgical site infection.

Responsible for ensuring comprehensive documentation of all care provided during the perioperative experience is timely, complete, and accurate in the electronic health record. Responsible for knowing what reusable instruments, equipment, medical devices, or supplies are in use in the clinical area. Obtains, reads, and follows Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all reusable medical equipment (RME) in use in the clinical area and consults Sterile Processing and/or Infection Control as needed.

The OR RN is required to be on-call during off tours hours to provide patient care for emergency procedures.