RN Circulator (FT & PRN)

Operating Room Circulating Nurse

Full Time and PRN (w/Call)

The OR Circulating Nurse Provides individualized and specialized nursing care to patients in the surgery department in accordance with physician's orders, recognized nursing standards, legal aspects of current nurse practice within the state and Trinity Regional Hospital Sachse's policies and procedures. Functions cooperatively with physicians and staff exhibiting teamwork characteristics. Demonstrates initiative, insight and judgment in decision-making process.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under direction of the Director of Perioperative Services, the OR Circulator is responsible for all nursing activities relating to the surgical procedures to be performed in her/his assigned area. Immediate supervision of personnel in area to which she/he is assigned. Observing aseptic techniques in preparing for and assisting with surgical procedures. Providing necessary instruments, supplies and equipment for various operative procedures according to established ASC routines and routines of surgeon. Teaching and supervision of technical and ancillary personnel. Recognizing and interpreting symptoms indicative of changes in condition of patient. These responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Checks assignment for the day noting routine and special equipment and supplies needed for each operative procedure.
• Checks room for cleanliness, order and equipment necessary; assembles equipment and supplies needed for each procedure; checks equipment to see that it is in proper order. Damp dusts rooms prior to usage.
• Identifies patient on arrival in induction room; notifies anesthesia if he is not present.
• Helps position patient in prescribed position; checks operating table for necessary accessory equipment.
• Assists scrub nurse by opening sterile packs and delivering necessary packets of materials; operates autoclave for sterilization of necessary accessory items.
• Prepares the operative site by doing a surgical scrub to the operative area according to the surgeon's wishes.
• Helps transfer patient to the operating room from the induction room, giving assistance to anesthesia and the surgeon.
• Assists scrub nurse in dressing members of the operating team.
• Arrange furniture and equipment in such a manner that all pieces are accessible for efficient work by the scrub nurse, anesthesia and surgeon.
• Prepares all records pertaining to the operative procedure.
• Observes progress of the surgical procedure and provides additional instruments, supplies or equipment as necessary.
• Observe all members of the operating team for aseptic practices, reports any breaks immediately and takes steps to correct any break in technique.
• Remains calm in emergency situations and institutes emergency procedures immediately when such occasion arises.
• Directs activities of the room by making sure next patient ready in next room.
• Labels specimen containers and prepares specimen for laboratory.
• Assembles instruments, supplies and equipment for follow cases.
• Helps transfer patient to post anesthesia care unit following operation.
• Directs and assists with the cleaning and preparation of the operating room between cases.
• Directs and assists with cleaning and restocking of operating room at completion of assignment.
• Evaluates and completes assessment of patient needs to provide supportive care before, during and after surgery and maintains accurate and complete records.
• Communicates pertinent information to co-workers.
• Provides a safe environment for the patient to prevent potential injury. Investigates and intervenes in problem situations, reporting appropriate information to supervisor and documenting.
• Thorough knowledge of medical asepsis as it applies to operating room nursing.
• Knowledge of various steps of different operative procedures to be able to anticipate the needs of the surgeon.
• Proper method of handling instruments and supplies before, during and after use.
• Proper handling of tissue specimen's cultures and smears.
• Knowledge of safe and correct positioning of patients for various procedures.
• Knowledge of various instruments used for each type of operation and the proper setting up of an operating room.
• Cleaning and disinfection of equipment.
• Operates and troubleshoots specialized equipment and patient monitoring equipment.
• Anticipates and assists with maintaining adequate inventory of supplies and medications.
• Accountable for administration of drugs, IV procedures and other therapeutic and diagnostic measures in a safe and accurate manner.
• Ensures informed signed consent completed prior to administration of sedation.
• Provides guidance to other staff members assisting with orientation.
• Consults with appropriate supervisor or physicians as needed.
• Seeks educational opportunities and accepts responsibility for own professional growth and development. Participates with in service opportunities and staff meetings.
• Accepts direction from supervisor or physicians and adheres to established routines.
• Maintains patient's rights to privacy by not discussing privileged information outside the work area or with in hearing range of visitors/family or client.
• Maintains flexibility and performs other duties as required.
• Functions within the legal limits of nursing practice.
• Refers situations beyond ability or function to proper person.
• Reports errors of commission/omission.
• Initiates IV's and administers IV sedation under direction of physician.
• Assists in Code Cart Maintenance and Defibrillator Checks.
• Knowledge and understanding of nursing and patient care standards and procedures.
• Knowledge of laws, rules and regulations; standards and guidelines of certifying and accrediting bodies; hospital and department/unit standards, protocols, policies and procedures governing the provision of nursing care applicable to the area of assignment.
• Knowledge of medical terminology; principles and practices of health promotion, risk reduction,
  
  
  illness and disease prevention and management; medications and drugs, common dosages, their physical and physiological effects, and possible adverse reactions.
• Knowledge of medical and professional nursing ethics and patient privacy rights.
• Must be able to communicate thoughts clearly, both verbally and in writing.
• Interpersonal skills to interact with a wide range of constituencies.
• Must have critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to observe changes in the medical condition of patients and effectively communicate these changes to other nursing staff members and physicians/providers.
• Ability to provide age-specific, quality, patient-centered care to all patients through the nursing process and standards of nursing practice with sensitivity and respect for the diversity of human experience and to develop, evaluate, implement and, as necessary, modify a patient care plan to meet the needs of individual patients.
• General computer skills, including but not limited to: Microsoft Office, information security, scheduling and payroll systems, electronic medical documentation, and email.
  
  
  Professional Development
• Show evidence of continuing education in the area of nursing in the OR.
• Maintain membership in appropriate nursing and health care related organizations.
• Remain current on all nursing standards and techniques and provide direction to staff and facility personnel on changing standards as required.
  
  
  Professional Collaboration

• Provide for guest relations and ensure the appearance of the facility and manner in which program staff communicate with patients, families, referral sources and fellow staff is effective and professional.
• Collaborate with physician providers to identify preferences for practice, and integrate recommendations, where possible, ensuring regulatory compliance and patient safety.
  
  
  Personnel Management and Staffing

• Ensure an adequate system of communication and reporting is maintained between all staff members, as well as other departments involved in the ongoing operation of the program.

Additional Standards

• Serve on facility committees as assigned.
• Demonstrate a professional attitude and supports the objectives of the facility's customer-focused philosophy through internal and external communications and interactions with all levels of staff, patients, family members, guests, community, and referral sources.
• Adhere to facility, department, corporate, personnel and standard policies and procedures.
• Attend all mandatory facility in-services and staff development activities as scheduled.
• Adhere to facility standards concerning conduct, dress, attendance, and punctuality.
• Support facility-wide quality/performance improvement goals and objectives.
• Maintain confidentiality of facility employees and patient information.
  
  
  Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Must have excellent leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Analyze and interpret data to determine treatment recommendations and priorities
• Demonstrate adherence to accepted ethical and behavioral standards of conduct
• Participate in continuing professional development
• Skill in organizing and prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines.
• Skill in telephone etiquette and paging procedures.
• Knowledge of all code procedures.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients and co-workers.
• Ability to analyze situations, evaluate data, recommend/implement courses of action that would improve the functioning of the systems/processes he/she is involved in.
• Ability to adhere to safety policies and procedures.
• Ability to use good judgment and to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Ability to work as a team player.
• Ability to demonstrate tact, resourcefulness, patience, and dedication.
• Ability to accept direction and adhere to policies and procedures.
• Ability to recognize the importance of adapting to the various patient age groups (adolescent, adult, and geriatric).
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to meet corporate deadlines.
• Ability to react calmly, professionally, and effectively in high-stress and/or emergency situations.
• Ability to work a minimum 40-hour week.
• Ability to sit for long periods, up to twelve hours.
• Ability to use both hands in fine and gross manipulation of small tools (copier, computer,
  
  
  telephone, typewriter, calculator, facsimile machine).
• Ability to see well enough to read charts handwritten and typewritten material.
• Ability to lift, push, pull, and carry up to 50 lbs. to move/transfer file boxes, and newly admitted patients' belongings.
• Ability to stoop, kneel, and bend daily.
• Ability to reach, turn, and twist above and below the waist.
• Ability to stand and walk the facility
• Ability to handle a variety of repetitive tasks at a moderate level and work at a rapid pace.
• Prepared to handle electrical, mechanical or equipment emergencies.
• Ability to frequently handle hazardous/infectious waste.
• Other duties as assigned
  
  
  Position Specific Competencies:
• Strategic Thinking
• Results Driven
• Problem Solving/Analysis
• Teamwork /Collaboration Skills
• Evidence-based Nursing Standards of Care
  
  
  Qualifications

• Current Texas RN license required
• Current BLS, PALS, and ACLS required
• Current operating room experience of two years is preferred.
• CNOR and AORN professional affiliation is preferred.
• Maintain current knowledge and adhere to appropriate regulatory standards (i.e., Joint
  
  
  Commission, Medicare, Medicaid, employment regulations, Board of Nurse Examiners).
  
  
  Organizational Relationships
  
  
  Contacts/Interacts with: Physicians, all staff, patients, and their families/visitors, regulating agency staff, volunteers, and vendors.
  
  
  Direct Reports :N/A