Operating Room Circulator Full-time

Provides direct patient care to pediatric through geriatric patient populations.  Addresses the psychosocial, physical and general aspects of care related to the surgical environment.  Assists with the maintenance of operating room equipment and inventory.  Participates in performance improvement activities.  Responsible for monitoring patient’s physiological status in the perioperative environment.  Communicates with surgeon and anesthesiologist continuously. 

 

General Requirements: 

 

Employee will adhere to dress code, appearance is always neat and clean 

Employee will complete successfully all annual education requirements 

Employee will maintain all professional/regulatory requirements 

Employee will maintain patient confidentiality at all times 

Employee will report to work on time and as scheduled, and will complete work within the designated time 

Employee will wear identification while on duty 

Employee will use computerized punch time system correctly 

Employee completes all in-services and returns them in a timely fashion 

Employee will attend annual review and department in-services, as scheduled 

Employee will make best efforts to attend all staff meetings 

Employee will represent Novi Surgery Center in a positive and professional manner 

Employee will participate in Performance Improvement and Quality Improvement activities 

Employee will comply with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices 

Employee will communicate the mission, ethics and goals of Novi Surgery Center 

 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: 

Competency to assess the physiological health status of the patient 

Verify the operative procedure prior to procedure using consent forms, patient statements, and surgeon verification 

Note the condition of the skin for rashes, bruises, lesions, and previous incisions 

Determine mobility of the body using patient statements, range of motion, and the history and physical 

Report deviation of diagnostic studies such as lab or radiology reports 

Verify pre-operative vital signs upon admission to surgery: blood pressure, pulse, respirations, pulse oximetry, pain, and temperature 

Identify presence of prosthesis such as dentures, pacemaker, and joint prosthesis/implants 

Note nutritional status, such as patient has been NPO 

Verify allergies to medication, food, or chemicals 

Communicate and document physiological data to other members of the surgical and health care team in verbal or written report, including data which might be relevant to discharge planning 

Formulate nursing diagnosis based on health data 

Competency to establish realistic and attainable goals based on nursing diagnosis and to develop a plan of care based on nursing actions to achieve patient goals 

Provide positioning aids during the intraoperative phase to prevent skin breakdown or impairment of the nervous or vascular system 

Provide equipment to ensure patient safety in regard to electrosurgery  

Coordinate use of supplies and equipment for intraoperative care 

Organize nursing activities in logical sequence, prioritizing nursing actions 

Coordinate patient care needs with other members of the surgical and health care team 

Assign activities to appropriate personnel based on their qualifications and patient needs 

Maintain required certifications (BLS/ACLS) and perform effectively in emergency situations 

Communicate and document patient’s plan of care to other members of the surgical and health care team in verbal and written report, including that which might be relevant to discharge planning 

Competency to create and maintain a sterile field 

Use principles of aseptic technique in varying situations, such as infection control practices and skin preps 

Demonstrate knowledge of clean versus sterile 

Initiate corrective action when breaks in technique occur 

Maintain sterility while opening sterile items for procedure, including pouring solutions 

Inspect sterile items for integrity of package, sterile indicators, and/or outdate prior to delivery to the field 

Adhere to dress code policy for peri-operative areas 

Monitor suite to ensure that movement around the sterile field is appropriate at all times 

Communicate and document maintenance of and/or compromise of sterile field 

Competency to provide equipment and supplies based on patient needs 

Anticipate needed equipment and supplies, utilizing the surgeon preference card 

Select equipment and supplies in an organized, timely, and cost-effective manner throughout the peri-operative phase 

Assure all equipment is functioning before use 

Operate mechanical, electrical, and powered equipment according to manufacturer’s instructions and Novi Surgery Center policy 

Remove malfunctioning equipment from service, tag it appropriate, and initiate repair 

Use supplies judiciously and in a cost-effective manner 

Communicate and document provision of equipment and supplies 

Competency to perform sponge, sharps, and instrument counts according to Novi Surgery Center policy 

Initiate corrective action when count is incorrect 

Communicate and document results of counts according to policy 

Competency to administer drugs and solutions, as prescribed 

Administer medications to the sterile field according to policy 

Communicate and document administration of medications and solutions according to policy 

Competency to physiologically monitor the patient during the peri-operative phase 

Assist/monitor physical symptoms, behavioral changes, intake and output, and vital signs 

Initiate nursing actions or obtain physician orders as appropriate, based on interpretation of physiologic data/changes 

Communicate and document patient’s physiological response to other members of the surgical and health care team in verbal or written report, including that which might be relevant for discharge planning 

Competency to monitor and control the environment 

Control the environment to provide ultimate patient care, such as temperature of room, sensory stimuli, traffic, and noise level 

Adhere to all safety policies and procedures 

Maintain appropriate traffic pattern in the peri-operative environment 

Adhere to sanitation policies for infection control including confining and containing waste for appropriate disposal 

Communicate and document environmental controls and breaks in technique promptly and appropriately 

Competency to respect patient’s rights 

Demonstrate awareness and practice according to Patient’s Bill of Rights and Novi Surgery Center policy 

Provide for patient safety and maintain patient confidentiality 

Communicate and document provision of patient rights, as appropriate 

Competency to evaluate patients 

Develop outcome criteria measures degree of achievement 

Communicate and document degree of goal achievement to other members of the surgical and health care team in verbal and written report, including that which might be relevant to discharge planning 

In keeping with the teamwork philosophy, act as a resource person for other staff 

Adhere to OSHA guidelines for Universal Precautions for exposure to blood and body fluids, using appropriate personal protective equipment and sharps handling 

Demonstrate flexibility in meeting the needs of Novi Surgery Center, including cross-training for all nursing functions and being flexible with shift times 

Follow AORN/ASPAN/APIC recommended practices and Novi Surgery Center policy at all times 

Perform effectively in emergency situations 

 

Professional/Regulatory Requirements: 

 

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing 

Current Registered Nurse licensure in the State of Michigan 

Current BLS and ACLS certification (or within six months of hire) 

Follows AORN, ASPAN, & APIC standards 

Minimum of two (2) years work experience in an operating room 

Prior knowledge working with sterile instrumentation and sterile fields 

 

Language Skills: 

 

Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing. 

 

Other Skills: 

 

Basic computer knowledge 

 

Physical Requirements: 

 

Transferring a patient to and from and repositioning a patient on an OR Table 

Lifting and holding patients’ extremities 

Standing for long periods of time and sustaining awkward positions 

Lifting and moving equipment 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising patient care