R.N, Surgical Assistant, Operating Room Nurse

Operating Room (OR) Registered Nurse Circulator

The Operating Room (OR) Registered Nurse Circulator is responsible for providing professional nursing care throughout the perioperative experience, ensuring patient safety, quality outcomes, and efficient surgical workflow. The Circulator RN serves as the patient’s advocate during operative and invasive procedures while coordinating care among surgeons, anesthesia providers, surgical technologists, and other members of the healthcare team. This role supports a variety of surgical specialties and promotes a safe, efficient, and patient-centered environment.

Position Highlights

• Full-Time | Day Shift
• Typical Schedule:
  
  6:30 AM – 4:00 PM
• No scheduled weekends; weekends are call-only
• Department closed on holidays (call only – 1 holiday per year)
• One patient at a time – no patient ratios
• Limited emergent call responsibilities
• Formal OR orientation and preceptor support
• Support for professional growth and CNOR certification

Surgical Services Supported

• General Surgery
• Orthopedics
• OB/GYN
• ENT
• Urology
• Podiatry
• Dental
• Interventional Radiology

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Patient Care – Assessment
• Performs comprehensive preoperative patient assessments, including review of medical history, laboratory results, allergies, medications, and vital signs.
• Identifies and communicates potential risks, complications, contraindications, or concerns to the surgeon and anesthesia provider.
• Provides education and emotional support to patients and families regarding the perioperative process.
• Functions as the patient’s advocate throughout the surgical experience, ensuring dignity, privacy, and safety.
• Intraoperative Nursing Care
• Coordinates and manages patient care activities within the operating room in collaboration with the surgical team.
• Participates in and facilitates the surgical time-out process to verify correct patient, procedure, surgical site, and required equipment.
• Implements physician orders, standing orders, and approved protocols based on patient condition and clinical judgment.
• Administers and documents medications as ordered and in accordance with organizational policies.
• Continuously monitors patient status and responds appropriately to changes in condition.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and timely perioperative documentation.
• Surgical Team Support
• Prepares, assembles, and verifies functionality of surgical equipment, instrumentation, supplies, and specialty devices.
• Anticipates the needs of the surgeon, anesthesia provider, and surgical team throughout procedures.
• Assists with room setup, turnover, surgical table preparation, and equipment readiness to support efficient case flow.
• Collaborates with sterile processing and ancillary departments to ensure availability of required supplies and instruments.
• Operational Excellence
• Monitors daily surgical schedules and communicates with providers regarding add-on cases, delays, cancellations, and workflow changes.
• Coordinates room assignments and case progression to optimize efficiency and minimize delays.
• Assists in maintaining a clean, safe, compliant, and organized surgical environment.
• Adheres to infection prevention, patient safety, and regulatory standards.
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives and departmental performance goals.
• Teamwork – Professional Practice
• Provides guidance, support, and education to peers, new employees, students, and other healthcare team members.
• Promotes a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and patient-centered care.
• Maintains required competencies and participates in continuing education activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Call Responsibilities
• Participates in on-call rotation, typically every sixth weekend and 2–3 weekdays per month.
• Responds within 30 minutes when called in for urgent or emergent surgical procedures.
• No solo call responsibilities during orientation period.

Qualifications

• Required
• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• Current Missouri Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing.
• Current BLS certification.
• ACLS certification obtained within six months of hire.
• Ability to arrive at the hospital within 30 minutes when on call.
• Preferred
• One to two years of nursing experience.
• Pr…