Circulating Nurse

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Operating Room Circulating Nurse (Float/Fill-In)

Job Description

This role serves as a circulating nurse in the operating room with a strong focus on fill-in and float coverage across the operating floor. You support the surgical team by coordinating care, managing supplies and equipment, maintaining a safe and sterile environment, and assisting in all aspects of perioperative care outside the sterile field. You help ensure that each surgical case runs smoothly by anticipating needs, communicating effectively with staff and families, and supporting both clinical and sterile processing functions.

Responsibilities

• Provide clear and timely communication between the surgical team inside the operating room and staff or family members outside the operating room.
• Inform the Surgical Nursing Director of case progress and promptly report any unusual circumstances or concerns.
• Obtain required supplies and equipment for each specific procedure and ensure they are available when needed.
• Ensure adequate amounts of surgical and anesthetic supplies are in the operating room prior to scheduled cases.
• Check suction units, lights, and other required equipment to confirm proper functioning before procedures.
• Arrange and prepare operating rooms for specific operative procedures according to established protocols and surgeon preferences.
• Perform scrub and needle counts with the Scrub Nurse, record the counts, sign immediately, and report any unresolved discrepancies to the OR Director.
• Conduct sponge and needle counts with the Scrub Nurse at all required times during the procedure to support patient safety.
• Receive faulty instruments from the Scrub Nurse, mark them appropriately, and return them to the workroom for repair or replacement.
• Anticipate the needs of the surgical team and promptly provide needed items to the sterile field.
• Prepare for upcoming cases by reviewing surgeon preference cards, verifying supplies, checking instruments, and arranging any additional equipment.
• Receive specimens from the Scrub Nurse, place them in appropriate containers, label them accurately, and complete pathology slips correctly.
• Decontaminate surgical instruments and equipment using approved detergents and disinfectant solutions in accordance with facility policies.
• Sterilize instruments, equipment, and supplies using ultrasonic cleaners, steam sterilizers, and steris systems.
• Report malfunctioning equipment promptly to the Director of Surgical Nursing to ensure timely repair or replacement.
• Perform routine cleaning and maintenance of ultrasonic units, sterilizers, and steris equipment.
• Distribute supplies and stock sterile storage areas to maintain readiness for scheduled and emergency cases.
• Rotate sterile supplies regularly and remove outdated items to support safe and compliant inventory management.
• Assist with receiving, unpacking, and storing supplies in appropriate locations.
• Dispose of contaminated needle containers and related items in designated red contaminated trash bags in accordance with safety protocols.
• Order anesthesia supplies and medications using established stock lists and procedures.
• Float across the operating floor as needed to support various functions, including circulating, scrub support, and sterile processing tasks outside the primary surgery room.

Essential Skills

• Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of Kansas.
• At least 6 months of progressive work experience in an Operating Room, including both clinical and management-related skills.
• Demonstrated experience working in an operating room environment, including circulating responsibilities and coordination with surgical teams.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) or Advanced Life Support (ALS) certification, or the ability to obtain within six months of employment.
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification, or the ability to obtain within six months of employment.
• Knowledge of sterile technique, surgical instrumentation, and operating room protocols.
• Ability to perform and document accurate sponge, needle, and instrument counts.
• Competence in using ultrasonic cleaners, steam sterilizers, and steris systems for instrument processing.
• Strong communication skills to coordinate between the surgical field, staff, and families.
• Ability to anticipate surgical team needs and respond quickly in a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to detail and adherence to safety, infection control, and documentation standards.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in a clinical office environment.
• Experience in ENT, Orthopedics, GI, or General Surgery is a plus.
• Ability to speak and understand additional languages is desirable.
• Experience or familiarity with scrub tech, sterile processing, or surgery hospital workflows is beneficial.
• Advanced understanding of specialty hospital operations and multidisciplinary surgical care.
• Interest in transitioning into a permanent role within a specialty hospital environment if there is mutual fit.

Work Environment

This position is based in a specialty hospital setting that focuses on surgical care. The schedule consists of four 9-hour day shifts, Monday through Friday, with rotating days off, providing a structured weekday schedule. You work primarily on the operating floor, supporting multiple operating rooms and sterile processing areas. The environment is fast-paced and highly collaborative, requiring close coordination with surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, scrub techs, and sterile processing staff. You regularly work with operating room equipment such as suction units, surgical lights, ultrasonic cleaners, steam sterilizers, and steris systems, as well as a wide range of surgical instruments and anesthesia supplies. The role emphasizes adherence to strict infection control practices, sterile techniques, and safety protocols. Professional clinical attire appropriate for an operating room setting is expected. The hospital is one of the largest privately owned physician specialty hospitals in the area and offers the opportunity to transition to a permanent role when there is a strong mutual fit, providing a stable and supportive environment for professional growth

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Leawood, KS.

The pay range for this position is $38.00 - $43.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Leawood,KS.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 27, 2026.

About Actalent

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The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.