Registered Nurse - Perioperative Operating Room Nurse

Summary

The Perioperative Operating Room (OR) Registered Nurse is accountable for patient outcomes for individuals undergoing surgical and other invasive procedures – functioning competently in both the circulator and scrub roles across all surgical specialties served. Manages instruments and supplies, administers medications, documents care, and ensures adherence to AORN, VHA, and OR standards to support optimal surgical outcomes.

• English Language Proficiency: must be proficient in basic written and spoken English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Graduate of a professional nursing school approved by an accrediting agency and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
• Those attending a master’s‑level bridge program in nursing may become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completing the bridge program if they have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
• Upon achievement of a state license, the individual may be appointed on a temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program (per VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6).
• Foreign school graduates: possession of a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration meets the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry‑level nursing education program.
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher than an associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA, such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD).
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a U.S. state, territory, or Commonwealth (e.g., Puerto Rico) or the District of Columbia.
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception:
  Candidates who meet the basic education requirements but do not possess the required licensure may be appointed at the entry step of the applicable grade on a 120‑day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case‑by‑case basis). Grandfathering Provision applies to all persons currently employed in VHA in the 0610 series and performing the duties described on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024).
• Grade Determinations:
  Candidates must meet scope, education, and dimension criteria. Detailed requirements for each grade and level are available at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Questionnaire/.
• Preferred Experience:
  
  Evidence of Belt/Systems Redesign training or certification, professional governance participation, preceptor or charge nurse experience or training (combination acceptable), evidence‑based practice training (combination acceptable), and 2–3 years operating room RN experience (CNOR preferred).
• Physical Requirements:
  
  the position may require heavy lifting of 45 pounds and over, moderate lifting of 15–44 pounds, heavy carrying of 45 pounds and over, moderate carrying of 15–44 pounds, light carrying under 15 pounds, straight pulling for 1–2 hours, pushing for 1 hour, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, walking for 8–10 hours, standing for 8–10 hours, repeated bending, rapid mental and muscular coordination, vision and hearing requirements, mental and emotional stability, fine manipulation, twisting, and sitting periods.
  
  See full physical requirement details in the job posting.

• Participate in the CTVHCS cultural change initiative to shift from a disease‑focused approach to a health and wellbeing approach, implementing the Whole Health System of Care.
• Contribute to the VA‑wide initiative to provide a comprehensive and systematic approach to improve healthcare delivery at all stages of Veteran care.
• Support the transition from an episodic, siloed approach to an interdisciplinary, holistic approach that emphasizes self‑care in the context of well‑being.
• Assist in moving the focus from “What’s the matter with you?” to “What matters to you, and how can we…