Operating Room RN

The OR RN works with the multidisciplinary surgical team for the coordination of care focused on the patient throughout the continuum of care. Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in the unit/program level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs.

The (OR) Registered Nurse (RN) is accountable for patient outcomes resulting from the nursing care for the patient undergoing a surgical/ invasive procedure. The OR RN plans directs and coordinates the care of every patient undergoing
operative and other invasive procedures taking into consideration respect for the individual and recognition of the important contribution that each team member makes to the patients wellbeing.

The OR RN is expected to function proficiently in either the circulator or scrub role within the OR and to be competent in all surgical specialties served. All OR RNs will carry out a range of duties including but not limited to: circulating cases; scrubbing at the minimum cases in their area of specialty; computer charting and ordering; updating surgeon preference cards; preparing cases for the following day coordinating with vendors and the Perioperative Business Manager to address service specific needs coordinating with the Perioperative Nurse Educator for staff in services on new procedures and equipment and other duties as assigned by OR leadership.

The OR RN maintains knowledge of current Association of Peri -Operative Registered Nurses (AORN) Standards VHA Directives and facility/service level guidance. The OR RN assures the sterility of the surgical field is maintained and all instrumentation and equipment is used in a safe and efficient manner. The OR RN protects the patient from injury caused by chemical electrical mechanical and thermal sources and extraneous objects performs counting procedures to protect the patient from unintended retained surgical items participates in the Time Out process to ensure correct site side and level and follow implant and tissue/tissue based product documentation policy and procedures. The OR RN manages the patients specimens in the appropriate manner administers medications safely and correctly performs
interventions to maintain the patients wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline levels and performs interventions to protect the patient from surgical site infection.

The OR RN is responsible for ensuring comprehensive documentation of all care provided during the perioperative experience is timely complete and accurate in the electronic health record (EHR). The OR RN spends time reviewing the patients history labs allergies and other pertinent information before interviewing the patient in the pre-op area. The OR RN communicates throughout the case with the family or other support person offering support and information and documents this in the EHR.

The OR RN will be assigned to a surgical specialty as a service coordinator. As a service coordinator the OR RN will be responsible for working with the other coordinator(s) to ensure all needs for the surgical specialty are being met. The duties of the service coordinator will
include but are not limited to: communicating with surgical staff for case/patient specific needs communicating with the sterile processing service (SPS) for instrument needs coordinating with the Perioperative Business Manager for new equipment or purchases maintain knowledge of inventory and supplies needed evaluate par levels annually with logistics ensure preference cards are evaluated and updated in a timely manner for changes serve as a resource for staff outside of the specialty during orientation and as needed.

The OR RN is required to be included in the OR on-call rotation to provide patient care for emergency procedures during off tours (nights weekends holidays).

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0645 to 1515. On-Call duties required to include holidays evenings nights and weekends.
Telework: Not Authorized
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); OR Individuals attending a masters level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelors level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (Reference VA Handbook 5005 Appendix G6); OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing possession of a current full active and unrestricted registration will meet 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 that 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 State Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. Puerto Rico) of the United States or the District of Columbia. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements but do not possess the required licensure may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.)

• BSN or Higher preferred
• Recent experience in a complex operating room (within last 2 years) preferred.
• Scrub experience preferred.
• CNOR recognized preferred.