Operating Room Nurse

Operating Room Nurse - Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington

Join a balanced, well-resourced, and collaborative surgical team at Madigan Army Medical Center in the scenic Pacific Northwest (PNW). In this role, you will practice alongside premier civilian and military healthcare experts, providing world-class perioperative care to active-duty military, their families, and retirees. We offer a highly supportive clinical setting that values both clinical excellence and professional growth.

Enjoy a varied clinical caseload spanning multiple surgical specialties, including routine outpatient procedures, obstetrics, spine, trauma, and pediatric cases. This provides a dynamic, yet manageable environment tailored for dedicated Operating Room Nurses seeking a fast-paced, highly collaborative, and multidisciplinary team setting.

Madigan provides a highly competitive and comprehensive compensation package designed for long-term career satisfaction. This includes opportunities for night, and weekend differential pay, potential yearly retention bonuses of base pay, and performance incentives. Additionally, employees receive access to top-tier health insurance benefits and a secure, vested pension plan achieved after just five years of employment.

As a premier military medical treatment facility, we emphasize academic and teaching excellence in perioperative care. We actively seek and give hiring preference to highly capable Operating Room Nurses who are motivated by clinical leadership, dedicated to patient safety, and passionate about mentoring the next generation of military surgical staff.

Recruitment Bonus Up to $10,000, and Relocation Assistance Maybe authorized

Salary: Up to $147,260 per year

Madigan Army Medical Center is one of four Level II Trauma Centers in Washington State and participates in unique partnerships with civilian facilities to provide care to non-beneficiary trauma victims beyond the gates of Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Tacoma is an innovative city of 200,000 nestled between Seattle and the state capital of Olympia. The region offers the attractions of larger metropolitan areas, with a hometown feel. World-class museums, hotels and theaters draw thousands to downtown Tacoma while the shores of the Puget Sound and Mount Rainier inspire outdoor enthusiasts. The Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, Chihuly Bridge of Glass, Emerald Downs Racetrack, Emerald Queen Casino, Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, Lakewold Gardens, and the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad represent a small sampling of the region's varied entertainment options. The city offers excellent schools, universities, parks, festivals and regional shopping centers.

Located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest on the Puget Sound, in Washington State, Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) is near the city of Lakewood, 10 minutes from Tacoma and 20 minutes from Olympia, the state capitol. JBLM is situated in a key location along Interstate 5, allowing easy access to Sea-Tac Airport and to the deep-water ports of Tacoma and Seattle. Although the Army and Air Force missions have changed over the years, one thing has not changed—the natural setting of the base. Majestic Mount Rainier looms on the horizon, towering over the other peaks of the Cascade Range. From the mountains to the deep waters of Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean, the local areas abound in natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. Camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, boating and now sports are a way of life in Washington State.

Intraoperative & Clinical Duties

Perform circulating or scrub roles for diverse, complex surgical cases across all age groups. Enforce strict aseptic/sterile techniques and conduct accurate instrument, needle, and sponge counts. Actively assist surgeons and anesthesia providers (including induction, extubation, and invasive line placement). Administer prescribed medications and controlled substances. Continuously monitor patient status, respond to emergencies/codes, and maintain meticulous documentation (nursing notes, implant logs).

Equipment & Supply Management

Set up, operate, and troubleshoot highly technical surgical equipment (e.g., lasers, robotics, operative microscopes, electrosurgical generators). Oversee the handling, assembly, sterilization, and reprocessing of surgical instruments. Manage unit inventory, review surgeon preference cards, and coordinate with vendors for new equipment training.

Leadership & Unit Operations

Function as Charge Nurse when required, distributing workload, delegating tasks, and monitoring work quality. Precept, train, and mentor military personnel, civilians, medical students, and residents. Drive process improvement, risk management, and update facility policies in accordance with national evidence-based practices.

Qualifications

Must be a US Citizen

Education - Graduate degree, Bachelor's, Associate's, or Diploma from a CCNE-accredited nursing program. (Note: Official transcripts required. Foreign degrees require CGFNS certification).

Licensure - Current, active, full, and unrestricted RN license from a U.S. State, D.C., or Territory, AND a passing score on the NCLEX.

Experience OR Advanced Education - At least one (1) full year of professional operating room nursing experience OR a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in nursing or a related medical science field.