OR Circulating Nurse

Job Title: Circulating Nurse

Position: Full-Time

Benefit Eligible: Yes

Report To: Operating Room Manager

POSITION SUMMARY: The experienced OR nurse will function in our critical access hospital cognizant of and ready to respond to the needs of a variety of patient procedures and emergencies as they present to our facility. On-call duties are shared and rotated with equal distribution of weekends and holidays. He/she will perform at the level of RN circulator on our team to provide direct patient care to pediatric through geriatric patient populations.

As a team member, he/she works with the surgical tech to assemble and open all sterile supplies and equipment needed, manages the no sterile field and observes the sterile field during the surgical procedure. Capable of using endoscopic and arthroscopic devices and an ability to problem solve as needed. Understands boundaries and limitations of their role according to acceptable AORN standards of practice and state board of nursing rules and regulations.

Candidate must demonstrate aptitude for proper operation of OR equipment/technology in multiple specialties

• Individual must be well organized, with exceptional skill in planning and preparation for expected events
• Knowledge of surgical procedure and ability to access and research appropriate knowledge bases for information
• Ability to quickly adjust to changes in patient focused events
• Solid understanding of patient safety and precautions
• Candidate must possess general clinical competency in circulating nursing for Ophthalmology, Orthopedics (total joint replacements and arthroscopic procedures), Urology, ENT, General Surgery, GI (Endoscopy), Podiatry, Pediatric Dental procedures, Cesarean Sections and related OB/GYN procedures
• Experience in Post Anesthesia Care and Recovery of surgical patients preferred
• Current Nebraska Registered Nurse license; ACLS & BLS required certification, PALS preferred or competent in the care of

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Pre-Operative: Procedures

Standard Procedures

• Follow standard procedures for surgical/procedural intervention, adapting for surgeon and anesthesia preference.
• Adapts procedures to meet individual needs of pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
• Verifies all patient information; name procedure, equipment, allergies, implanted devices, implants, correct position, side and surgical site
• Use preference cards, as needed, updating regularly as changes occur.

Readiness

• Ready and prepared consistently for assigned cases; does not cause delay of case; minimize turnover time.
• Assists in opening surgical supplies in a sterile fashion, observes sterile field for breaks or contamination and assists the scrub personnel to be gowned and ready for patient arrival.
• Assures that the surgical scrub is prepared with appropriate instrumentation, medications and surgical counts are completed

Pre-Op Care and Preparation

• Ensure pre-op checklist is complete and all consents are signed, lab results are documented, site is signed-if appropriate, review history and physical and confirm it is within 30 days of procedure before patient is taken into surgical suite.
• Confirm availability of blood products if ordered
• Coordinate and supervise patient care; provide patient and family with teaching/education as necessary. Approach patient/family in a kind, gentle, and friendly manner while protecting patient sensitivities and right to privacy.
• Compassion and caring should be demonstrated at all times.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Intra-Operative: Initial Assessment

• Brings patient to the OR suite and introduces patient to staff, assists patient to OR table and completes initial timeout.
• Demonstrate knowledge of anesthetic drugs, actions, and side effects; and knowledge of
• IV conscious sedation/or medications (actions and delivery). Understands induction process, complications of anesthesia, malignant hyperthermia risks and treatment.
• Identifies induction and intubation supplies used and their location. Stays with patient at head of bed, assisting with anesthesia until released from duty by provider.

Surgical Knowledge

• Demonstrate thorough knowledge of location, care, and operation of surgical equipment/instruments.
• Positions patients safely; pads and protects bony prominences and protecting nerves.
• Performs skin shave and prep according to surgeon preference, observes and assists surgical scrub to drape correctly for all procedures. Carry out medical and surgical asepsis all procedures.
• Has a strong knowledge of procedure and is able to anticipate needs of the surgical team.
• Communicates calmly and professionally to the entire staff at all times.
• Monitors placement of equipment, fire hazards, observes for maintained sterility of field, back table and surgical personnel throughout the procedure, professionally addressing any breaks and takes immediate action to remedy equipment or instrumentation concerns or issues.
• Documents and initiates counts at appropriate wound closure and immediately…