Registered Nurse- Operating Room- OR, RN

Duties and Responsibilities:

Provides professional nursing care to patients undergoing surgery. Prepares and maintains operating room for all surgical procedures. Establishes and utilizes a checklist to monitor the physical plan of the operating room and equipment for conformity to all national standards for ensuring safety for the patient and all personnel. Assembles the type and quantity of material and special equipment needed for daily procedures and possible emergencies. Circulates and scrubs for surgical procedures. Responds to surgical emergency requirements such as cardiac, pulmonary, or respiratory failure and hemorrhage.

Maintains open communication lines, both intradepartmentally and interdepartmentally, to provide for total needs of the patient. Conducts preoperative and postoperative visits. Discusses operative procedures with patients and informs them of what to expect during surgery. Consults with the operating surgeon and establishes priorities of care for each patient entering the operating suite. Coordinates with other hospital units, which include recovery room, intensive care, obstetrics, and nursing units, on patients’ progress and any special equipment or supplies that will be needed for the patient returning from surgery.

Manages operating room activities. Directs and instructs personnel in preparing, sterilizing, and caring for operating room equipment and supplies. Supervises central sterile supply service activities. Maintains concise and complete records and reports. Coordinates an ongoing, in-service education program to continually update knowledge and skills of all assigned operating room nursing personnel.

Specialty Qualifications:

Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of operating room techniques and management

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  Must have eye/hand/foot coordination, finger/fine dexterity and be able to handle/grip/squeeze.  Must be capable of transferring-vertical/horizontal, lifting carrying greater than 35 pounds with assistance and be able to push/pull, stoop/bend, kneel, walk, sit, crouch/squat, stand, hold, flex/position/twist, restrain, and reach.

SUMMARY:  Under minimal supervision, provides nursing care for a group of patients assigned to the nurse based on matching the pateints' needs with the nurse' competencies.