Operating Room Registered Nurse (OR RN)

Quick Facts

• Role: Perioperative Operating Room Registered Nurse (OR RN)

• Focus: Surgical and invasive procedure nursing care

• Schedule: Monday–Friday 0730–1600 with on-call rotation after hours, weekends, and holidays

Description

The perioperative OR RN plans, directs, and coordinates nursing care for patients undergoing operative and other invasive procedures. The role includes functioning proficiently as the circulator and maintaining understanding/competency of the scrub role, supporting all surgical specialties served, and following current AORN standards, VHA directives, and service-level procedures. The OR RN ensures sterility, patient safety (including hazard protection and surgical counts), correct Time Out participation, safe medication/specimen handling, wound/perfusion support, surgical site infection prevention, and timely, accurate electronic health record documentation.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and coordinate perioperative nursing care for surgical and invasive procedures

• Maintain sterility of the surgical field and ensure safe, efficient use of instrumentation and equipment

• Protect patients from chemical, electrical, mechanical, and thermal injury risks and extraneous objects

• Perform surgical counts to prevent unintended retained surgical items

• Participate in the Time Out process to confirm correct site, side, and level

• Follow implant and tissue/tissue-based product documentation requirements

• Manage specimens appropriately

• Administer medications safely and correctly

• Provide interventions to maintain wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline

• Perform interventions to protect against surgical site infection

• Ensure comprehensive perioperative documentation is timely, complete, and accurate in the electronic health record

• Provide on-call coverage during off tour hours for emergency procedures

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship

• English proficiency (basic written and spoken)

• Graduate of an accredited school of professional nursing (ACEN or CCNE) or eligible equivalent pathway

• Current full active unrestricted RN license in a U.S. state/territory/DC (or eligible Graduate Nurse Technician temporary exception while pursuing licensure)

• Selective Service registration for eligible males (born after 12/31/1959)

• Subject to background/security investigation

• Pass pre-employment physical evaluation

• Complete online onboarding and pre-employment requirements (including acceptable ID)

• TB testing (and any additional required tests)

• Participation in seasonal influenza vaccination program

• Ability to serve a probationary period if required

• On-call availability during off tour hours for emergency procedures

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular increases and potential performance awards

• Paid Time Off: 50 days/year (annual leave, sick leave, and paid Federal holidays)

• Retirement: Traditional federal pension and federal 401K (up to 5% VA contributions)

• Insurance: federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care options

• Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted RN license from any US state or territory