Registered Nurse (RN) Surgical Lead - Cardiothoracic Team

Location:

Newport News, Virginia

Salary Range: $43.40–$59.68 per hour. Actual pay is determined based on job‑related factors such as relevant experience, education, credentials, skills, internal equity, and business needs.

The RN Cardiothoracic Specialty Surgical Lead works under the supervision of the OR Nurse Manager/Clinical Director and ensures operational oversight of surgical cases, assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating total nursing care for assigned patients. The lead coordinates with physicians, staff, vendors, and surgical leadership to confirm proper preparation for surgical cases within the specialty and demonstrates competence in addressing age‑related needs of specific patient populations served in the perioperative setting.

The role participates in product standardization efforts through the Surgical Services Value Analysis Team.

• Assess cardiothoracic patients’ clinical and psychosocial needs using standards of practice for the specialty.
• Partner with patients and families to develop, implement, and evaluate a plan of care that enhances physiological and psychosocial outcomes.
• Apply evidence‑based standards and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to coordinate care.
• Facilitate safe patient transitions to the next care setting as part of the plan of care.
• Round pre‑operatively and post‑operatively to enhance the patient experience.
• Demonstrate urgency to facilitate patient throughput and ensure consistent, competent, and ethical care.
• Focus on quality outcomes when addressing patient needs, incorporating evidence‑based practice and quality measures.
• Delegate and prioritize tasks to meet patient care needs and respond to emergency situations.
• Coordinate with physicians, staff, and leadership to meet specialty‑specific needs, including employee education, equipment and supply needs, and physician preferences.
• Work with leadership to determine cardiothoracic coverage needs on a daily/on‑call basis.
• Educate patients and families using individualized methods to ensure comprehension and provide discharge education.
• Complete mandatory clinical and quality documentation consistently per RHS standards and regulatory requirements, including registry and medication timing data.
• Implement cost‑saving measures such as limited supply use, accurate documentation and auditing, vendor coordination, and physician support for product standardization.
• Train all staff assigned to the specialty to a level of proficiency with documented competencies and engage physicians in the training process.
• Work directly with the specialty tech and lead first assistant to ensure competencies are valid and complete for surgical techs.
• Collaborate with the OR Educator to ensure completion of specialty‑specific competencies for all OR staff.
• Manage emergency supplies and conduct related processes and drills for cardiothoracic surgery.

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (Preferred) or Associate’s Degree in Nursing (Preferred) or Program Graduate, Nursing (Required);
  High School Diploma or GED (Required only if not holding an RN diploma).
• OR RN Experience (Required) – 2 years.
• Cardiothoracic OR RN Experience (Required) – 6 months.
• Registered Nurse licensure in Virginia (VDHP) or licensed in a compact state mandatory at hire.
• CPR/BLS Certification mandatory at hire.
• ACLS Provider mandatory at hire.
• Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) mandatory at hire.

• Call rotation.
• Weekend shifts.
• Irregular shifts.
• Mandatory participation in work/float at more than one work location.