Operating Room Registered Nurse (OR RN)

Quick Facts

• Role: Operating Room Registered Nurse (OR RN)

Description

The OR RN is responsible and accountable for the full nursing process in perioperative care for patients undergoing surgical and other invasive procedures. The role coordinates and delivers age-specific care by assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating outcomes, while ensuring patient safety, sterile field integrity, and timely, accurate electronic health record documentation.

Responsibilities

• Administer medications and procedures according to established policies and guidelines
• Coordinate perioperative care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to influence care outcomes
• Participate in unit/program quality improvement and customer service initiatives
• Function proficiently in both circulator and scrub roles across all surgical specialties served
• Maintain sterile field; ensure safe and efficient use of instrumentation and equipment
• Protect patients from chemical, electrical, mechanical, and thermal hazards and extraneous objects; perform surgical counts to prevent retained items
• Participate in the Time Out process to verify correct site, side, and level
• Follow implant and tissue/tissue-based product documentation requirements
• Manage specimens appropriately; administer medications safely; support wound/tissue perfusion
• Protect patients from surgical site infection
• Ensure comprehensive perioperative documentation is timely, complete, and accurate in the electronic health record
• Know what reusable instruments, equipment, medical devices, and supplies are in use; follow SOPs for reusable medical equipment and consult Sterile Processing/Infection Control when needed
• Be on-call during off-tour hours for emergency procedures
• Provide feedback, foster a safe environment for professional development, and share educational findings with peers
• Practice leadership and continuous evaluation based on best evidence

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship (non-citizens only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited per VA policy)
• English language proficiency (basic written and spoken)
• Graduate of an accredited professional nursing program (ACEN or CCNE) or meet approved RN pathway
• Current, full, active, unrestricted RN license in a U.S. State/Territory/DC (GNT exception noted if actively pursuing licensure)
• Subject to background/security investigation; complete onboarding and pre-employment requirements
• Pass pre-employment physical evaluation
• Seasonal influenza vaccination required
• Selective Service registration required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Ability to meet physical requirements (visual acuity, hearing, speech, manual dexterity; prolonged standing/walking; patient/object transferring)

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular increases and potential performance awards
• Paid time off (up to 50 days/year including annual leave, sick leave, and federal holidays)
• Federal pension and federal 401K with up to 5% contributions by VA
• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care insurance options
• Licensure: requires 1 full, unrestricted license from any U.S. State or territory
• Work schedule listed as 6:00am–3:30pm Monday–Friday (48 hours/week)
• EDRP authorized (with eligibility rules noted)