Registered Nurse (Operating Room)

Overview The Perioperative Operating Room Registered Nurse (RN) is accountable for patient outcomes resulting from the nursing care for the patient undergoing a surgical/invasive procedure. Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age-specific components. Coordinates patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. Responsibilities 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 patient\'s well-being. Functions proficiently as a circulator and, when properly in the scrub role within the OR, competent in all surgical specialties served. Maintains knowledge of current Association of peri-Operative Registered Nurses (AORN) Standards, VHA Directives, and service level standard operating procedures. Ensures the sterility of the surgical field is maintained and all instrumentation and equipment used is handled in a safe and efficient manner. Protects the patient from injury caused by chemical, electrical, mechanical, and thermal sources, and extraneous objects; performs counting procedures to prevent unintended retained surgical items; participates in Time Out to ensure correct site, side, and level and aligns with implant and tissue/tissue-based product documentation, policy, and procedures. Manages the patient\'s specimens appropriately; administers medications safely and correctly; performs interventions to maintain wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline; and implements measures to prevent surgical site infection. Responsible for ensuring comprehensive documentation of all care provided during the perioperative experience is timely, complete, and accurate in the electronic health record. On-call during assigned off-tour hours to provide patient care for emergency procedures. 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 proficient in basic written and spoken English. Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by ACEN or CCNE at the time the program was completed. OR individuals attending a master’s level bridge program in nursing with coursework equivalent to a bachelor’s 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, appointment may be temporary and later converted to permanent. Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered nursing licensure in a U.S. state/territory or the District of Columbia. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: candidates who meet basic education requirements but do not possess licensure may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level on a 120-day temporary appointment while pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case basis). Grade determinations and related experience requirements are defined in the VA qualification standard; reference: VA Qualification Standards. Preferred experience: Minimum 2 years of experience circulating in the Operating Room; scrub experience preferred. Physical requirements: No specified minimum physical requirements per updated VA guidance. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs