Registered Nurse - Surgical Services Operating Room

At Henry Ford Health, we're committed to advancing health and improving lives for the millions of people we serve across Michigan and around the world. As one of the nation's leading academic health systems, we provide a comprehensive continuum of care that includes primary and preventive services, specialty and complex care, virtual care, pharmacy, home health, eye care, health insurance, and more. With 12 hospitals and hundreds of ambulatory care locations, including former Ascension Southeast Michigan and Flint Region facilities, our growing network expands access to exceptional care in the communities we serve.

Headquartered in Detroit, Henry Ford Health is helping shape the future of healthcare through the transformative Future of Health: Detroit initiative, a $3 billion investment that is redefining our academic healthcare campus and advancing innovation, research, education, and community impact.

Our work is grounded in purpose, collaboration, and belonging. We empower team members to grow their careers, contribute innovative ideas, and make a meaningful difference every day. Whether you're caring for patients, supporting operations, conducting research, or driving new solutions, you'll be part of a team united by a shared mission: delivering exceptional care, advancing health outcomes, and building healthier communities for all.

Job Description

Location: Henry Ford Jackson Hospital

Schedule:  3 12-hours shifts per week; 7am-7:30pm. Requires participation in a weekend rotation of approximately 3-4 weekends per year. Candidates must also participate in the holiday rotation and be available for 3-4 call shifts during each 6-week scheduling period.

Unit Overview:

The Surgical Services Operating Room at Henry Ford Jackson Hospital is a dynamic, team-focused environment featuring 12 operating rooms, including specialized cardiac, vascular hybrid, and urology suites. Nurses in this department provide care for a diverse patient population ranging from elective surgical cases to trauma and organ donation procedures. With a 1:1 nurse-to-patient ratio, RN circulators play a critical role in coordinating patient care, maintaining patient safety, supporting sterile technique, and collaborating closely with surgeons, CRNAs, residents, and surgical technologists throughout each procedure.

 

What truly sets our team apart is our culture of support, teamwork, and professional growth. Every case is a collaborative effort, and nurses are surrounded by experienced colleagues who are committed to helping one another succeed. Whether you're an experienced OR nurse or bring previous OR tech, anesthesia tech, or scrub experience, you'll find opportunities to expand your skills across multiple surgical specialties while benefiting from a structured orientation and strong team support. If you thrive in a dynamic environment that values critical thinking, anticipation, and teamwork, you'll find a rewarding career and a welcoming home in our Operating Room.

 

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary circulating nurse, coordinating all aspects of patient care throughout surgical procedures while maintaining strict adherence to sterile technique and safety protocols

• Conduct comprehensive preoperative assessments, including patient history review, verification of informed consent, and communication of pertinent information to the surgical team

• Prepare and maintain the operating room environment, ensuring all equipment, instruments, and supplies are properly organized, functional, and readily accessible

• Advocate for patient safety by implementing infection control measures, verifying surgical site markings, and ensuring compliance with The Joint Commission standards and hospital policies

• Communicate effectively with surgeons, anesthesia providers, surgical technologists, and other team members to anticipate needs and coordinate seamless case flow

• Document accurate and timely nursing notes, including patient responses, medications administered, specimens collected, and any intraoperative complications or variances

• Provide compassionate patient and family education regarding surgical procedures, postoperative expectations, and discharge instructions

• Identify and implement solutions to address variances from expected patient outcomes and contribute to continuous quality improvement initiatives

Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred; Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) acceptable with commitment to complete BSN within 5 years of hire date
• Graduation from an accredited school of nursing
• Minimum of 1 year of operating room circulating experience
• Demonstrated clinical expertise in sterile technique, infection control, and patient safety protocols
• Ability to anticipate surgical team needs and adapt quickly in a fast-paced, specialized surgical environment
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with surgeons, anesthesia providers, surgical technologists, and interdisciplinary team members

 

CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSURES REQUIRED:

• Current licensure by the Michigan State Board of Nursing
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification

 

PREFERRED

QUALIFICATIONS

:

• Background as an operating room technician, scrub nurse, or anesthesia technician
• Experience across multiple surgical specialties, including cardiac, vascular, urology, or trauma procedures
• Advanced critical thinking skills with proven ability to identify and resolve intraoperative variances
• Active engagement in continuous professional development and quality improvement initiatives

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