Surgery Registered Nurse; RN

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Surgical Services:
Pre-op, Post-op, PACU, Circulator Nursing

The Surgery RN is responsible for providing comprehensive perioperative nursing care to surgical patients across all age groups — from neonates to geriatric. The RN collaborates with the surgical team to ensure patient safety, proper technique, and optimal surgical outcomes.

• Provide pre-operative education to patients and families.
• Explain surgical principles, goals, and instructions.
• Utilize individualized teaching strategies.
• Confirm patient identity, chart completeness, and procedure site.
• Supervise care and staff in the assigned operating room.
• Assist the surgeon and anesthesia team during procedures.
• Maintain and ensure sterile technique and best practices.
• Participate in evaluating and improving standards of patient care.
• Identify and address inappropriate care practices.
• Mentor and supervise assigned personnel.
• Communicate effectively with staff and patients.
• Engage in ongoing professional education and development.
• Monitor and intervene in environmental safety concerns.
• Evaluate and suggest improvements for OR procedures, supplies, and equipment.
• Stay current with trends in perioperative nursing.

• Ensure completion of nursing assessments and consent forms.
• Confirm all pre-op orders are completed.
• Administer and document medications.
• Initiate IV lines and fulfill pre-op requirements.
• Document vital signs and pre-op data in the patient chart.
• Alert anesthesia and surgeons of abnormal pre-op results (e.g., labs, vitals, EKG).
• Complete discharge processes as per surgeon’s orders.
• Deliver clear discharge instructions and verify patient understanding.

• Prepare OR using surgeon preference cards.
• Assess and meet patient’s physical, emotional, and safety needs.
• Lead and document surgical time-out.
• Complete patient charting and OR records.
• Perform counts of sponges, sharps, and instruments with the scrub nurse.
• Label and dispatch specimens correctly.
• Document all medications used intraoperatively.
• Provide accurate post-op handoff to PACU nurse.
• Set up recovery area for incoming patients.
• Monitor patients during anesthesia recovery.
• Record vital signs and assess post-anesthesia condition.
• Address symptoms like pain or nausea.
• Communicate patient status to surgeon and anesthesia provider.
• Enter vital data into the patient record.
• Provide thorough hand-off reports.

• Report changes and updates in OR activity to appropriate team members.
• Notify staff of surgery schedule changes.
• Prepare surgical suites and equipment for upcoming procedures.
• Transport patients when available.
• Demonstrate proper use of standard precautions.
• Uphold infection control practices and hospital protocols.

• Associate Degree in Nursing (minimum)
• Minimum one (1) year surgery experience preferred.
• Two (2) years acute care hospital nursing experience required.

• Sound understanding of nursing theory and evidence-based practice
• Ability to make clinical judgments and assume responsibility
• Strong computer and documentation skills
• Legible handwriting and ability to print clearly
• Mandatory Reporter certified
• Team-oriented with effective communication skills
• Strong organizational and time management abilities
• Ability to handle difficult or emotional situations with tact and composure

• Current RN license in the State of Iowa
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support…