Registered Nurse Operating Room

Job Summary:


The Registered Nurse in the Operating Room is responsible for providing comprehensive perioperative nursing care across multiple surgical specialties including general surgery, neurology, orthopedics, plastic surgery, transplant, urology, and trauma. This role requires expertise in emergency management, use of specialized surgical equipment, and adherence to hospital protocols within a Level I trauma, Magnet-designated acute care setting. The nurse will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure patient safety and optimal surgical outcomes, working primarily on 4x10 hour shifts with occasional on-call duties.

Responsibilities:

• Provide skilled nursing care in the operating room covering general, trauma, neurology, orthopedics, plastic surgery, transplant, and urology cases.
• Perform preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative nursing assessments and care.
• Administer blood products and manage infection control procedures.
• Handle surgical specimens with proper labeling and follow universal protocol including time-outs.
• Operate and manage specialized surgical equipment such as electrosurgical units, fiber optic light sources, and Hana tables.
• Respond to emergency situations including code response, fire safety, malignant hyperthermia, and latex allergy management.
• Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate patient care.
• Maintain accurate documentation using Cerner electronic medical records.
• Support hospital policies on radiation safety and urinary bladder catheterization.
• Participate in ongoing education and maintain certifications relevant to perioperative nursing.

Required Skills & Certifications:

• Active Registered Nurse license for Illinois or in application process.
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in operating room nursing with general OR and trauma experience.
• BLS certification required.
• Level I trauma experience.
• Experience with laparoscopic assisted bariatric cases and a wide range of surgical procedures including appendectomy, cholecystectomy, craniotomy, arthroscopy, free flap microvascular surgery, organ donation, and trauma-related surgeries.
• Proficiency in emergency management including code response and fire safety.
• Knowledge of administration of blood products, infection control, and universal surgical protocols.
• Experience with Cerner electronic health records system preferred.

Preferred Skills & Certifications:

• CNOR certification preferred.
• Cerner charting experience.
• Experience with specialized surgical instrumentation and equipment.

Special Considerations:

• On-call required one week per month, though frequency may vary.
• Must live at least 50 miles from the facility to be eligible.
• All requested time off requires manager approval under strict RTO policies.
• Work excludes cardiovascular service lines.
• Parking permit required but provided at no cost.
• Scrub color is provided for this role.
• Guaranteed hours subject to client call-offs with specific billing policies for cancellations.

Scheduling:

• Work schedule consists of four 10-hour shifts, typically 06:45 to 17:15.
• Weekend work required once per month.
• Block scheduling is not accommodated.
• Shift assignments are fixed and not subject to floating outside of the nurse's skill set.