RESPONSIBLE TO: Director of Nursing

DEFINITION: Operating Room Circulating Nurse works to ensure a safe environment and smooth flow of events throughout the patient’s perioperative experience.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience: Previous Operating Room experience required

Moderate Sedation experience

Scrub experience

CNOR preferred

Education: Must be a Registered Nurse and hold a license in the state of Oregon

Must have a current BLS and ACLS certification

The circulating nurse must possess a unique set of skills and training to be successful in the perioperative environment. He/she will use and require impeccable sterile technique in the OR and have working knowledge of the various instrumentation and equipment of multiple specialties. As the patient advocate, the circulating nurse must use sound judgment, thorough assessment, professional communication, and critical thinking to ensure patient safety during the procedure.

JOB DUTIES:

1. Checks essential equipment at the beginning of each surgery day.

2. Ensures instruments and supplies necessary to the procedure are available prior to the procedure.

3. Assists surgical technician with opening supplies for each case using sterile technique.

4. Interviews patient preoperatively and checks for items such as orders, H&P, allergies, and NPO status.

5. Brings patients to OR and assists with connecting patient to monitors and applies grounding pad if needed.

6. Responsible for helping relieve the patient's apprehension before and during administration of IV sedation or anesthesia.

7. Remains at patient's side during induction and assists the anesthesiologist.

8. Preps surgical site.

9. Completes accurate documentation throughout the procedure.

10. Counts sponges and needles with surgical technician and documents count.

11. Assists in transferring patient back to Recovery Area.

12. Assists in cleaning Operating Room following case, if appropriate.

13. Inventories and restocks supplies needed in Operating Room.

14. Updates physician preference cards, as needed.

Work Remotely

• No

Responsible To: Director of Nursing

Position Summary

The Registered Nurse (RN) provides comprehensive nursing care across the perioperative continuum, including preadmission testing, pre-anesthesia assessment, operating room circulating, post-anesthesia care, and interdisciplinary team members to ensure safe, high-quality patient care before, during, and after surgical procedures.  Recent Medical-Surgical nursing experience is required to support patient assessment, clinical decision-making, and post-operative care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Preadmission Testing (PAT)

  •    Conduct comprehensive nursing assessments prior to surgical procedures.

  •    Review medical history, medications, allergies, laboratory results, and diagnostic studies.

  •    Identify and communicate potential surgical or anesthesia risks to appropriate providers.

  •    Provide patient education regarding preoperative instructions, medication management, and procedural expectations.

  •    Coordinate necessary testing and follow-up to ensure surgical readiness.

Peri-Anesthesia Nursing

  •    Assess, monitor, and care for patients during the preoperative and postoperative phases.

  •    Recognize and respond appropriately to changes in patient condition.

  •    Monitor vital signs, pain levels, airway status, and recovery progression following anesthesia.

  •    Administer medications and treatments according to physician orders and nursing standards.

  •    Provide patient and family education regarding recovery and discharge instructions.

Operating Room Circulator

  •    Function as the circulating nurse during surgical procedures.

  •    Ensure a safe and sterile environment in accordance with infection prevention and regulatory standards.

  •    Verify patient identity, procedure, consent, and surgical site prior to surgery.

  •    Coordinate communication among the surgical team throughout procedures.

  •    Document intraoperative care accurately and completely.

  •    Assist with patient positioning, equipment preparation, and specimen handling.

Extended Stay Nursing   

  •    Provide ongoing assessment and nursing care for patients requiring extended observation following procedures. Overnight stay or assisting in patients discharge.

  •    Monitor patient recovery, pain management, fluid status, and postoperative complications.

  •    Collaborate with physicians and ancillary staff to facilitate discharge planning and continuity of care.

  •    Educate patients and families regarding post-discharge care and follow-up requirements.

  •    Escalate changes in patient condition promptly and appropriately.

Qualification

Required

  •    Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing.  

  •    Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.

  •    Minimum of 2 years of recent Medical-Surgical nursing experience.

  •    Current BLS certification.

  •    Ability to assess, prioritize, and manage care for patients with varying acuity levels.

  •    Strong communication, organizational, and critical-thinking skills.

Preferred

  •    Previous experience in preadmission testing, perioperative nursing, PACU, or ambulatory surgery.

  •    ACLS certification.

  •    CNOR and/or CPAN/CAPA certification.

  •    Experience with electronic medical records (EMR).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  •    Comprehensive knowledge of perioperative nursing standards and practices. 

  •    Ability to provide patient-centered care throughout the surgical contimuum.

  •    Strong clinical assessment and problem-solving skills.

  •    Ability to work effectively in a face-paced, multidisciplinary environment.

  •    Excellent documentation and communication skills.

  •    Commitment to patient safety, quality improvement, and regulatory compliance.

Work Environment

  •    Ambulatory surgery center and/or hospital surgical services setting.

  •    Requires standing, walking, lifting, bending, and assisting with patient transfers.

  •    May require participation in on-call rotations based on department needs

This position supports patient care across the full perioperative experience, utilizing both recent

Medical-Surgical nursing expertise and specialized perioperative nursing skills to promote safe

surgical outcomes and exceptional patient experiences.

Work Remotely:

-No

Benefits:

• 401(k)

• 401(k) matching

• Dental insurance 

• Flexible schedule

• Health insurance

• Life insurance

• Paid time off

• Vision insurance

Medical Specialty:

• Perioperative Care

• Surgery

Physical Setting:

• ASC

• Outpatient

Supplemental Pay:

• Overtime pay

Education:

• Associate (Preferred)

Experience:

• Nursing: 1 year (Required)

License/Certification:

• BLS and ACLS Certification (Required)

• RN (Required)

Work Location: In person