RN Circulator

Circulator Nurse

Position Summary:

Provides circulating nurse services in the operating room during surgical or pain management procedures and assists the surgical team as needed in any other capacity, according to established procedures.

The staffing of Summit Medical Center is based on a teamwork concept. Employees may be cross-trained in other clinical areas and may be expected to perform duties other than their normal ones as staffing and patient needs change.

Responsibilities:

1. Supervises and directs patient care in the individual operating rooms; communicates with surgeon and anesthesiologist continuously and as needed about patient condition.
2. Performs all circulating duties with efficiency and speed.
3. Ensure patient’s emotional, physical and psychological needs are met.
4. Ensures that proper techniques and practices are used according to accepted standards of practice.
5. Supervises and assists scrub technician as necessary; performs scrub duties as necessary.
6. Ensures care of patient through proper identification, checking of chart, and reporting of changes in condition.
7. Assists in control and maintenance of supplies and equipment.
8. Assists the anesthesiologist/CRNA as necessary.
9. Documents all nursing care delivered in the operating room in the medical record.
10. Performs other duties as assigned or requested.
11. Maintains established center/departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
12. Maintains and cares for department equipment and supplies.
13. Participates in educational programs and in-service meetings.
14. Maintains confidentiality of patient and center related business.
15. Develops and maintains an effective working relationship with patients, families, visitors and other center employees.
16. Documents concisely, precisely and accurately on all records or documents as indicated by policy.
17. Participates in Quality Assessment activities as directed for the continuous improvement of patient care and center business.

Qualifications:

1. Graduate of an accredited school of professional nursing; BSN preferred.
2. Basic Computer Knowledge.
3. Current Registered Nurse licensure in the state of Oklahoma.
4. Operating room experience (minimum 1 year); current BLS certification; ACLS required within one year of employment.

Special Skills and Knowledge:

1. Knowledge of principles of aseptic technique.
2. Leadership skills.
3. Knowledge of care of the surgical patient.
4. Knowledge of anesthetic agents and their usage and effect on the surgical patient.
5. CPR
6. Principles of Universal Precautions.

Essential Functions:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

1. Ability to adequately assess, diagnose, plan and implement nursing interventions and evaluate patient condition.
2. Compliance with the attendance policy.
3. Compliance with continuing and mandatory education programs.
4. Accepts responsibility and accountability for own actions.
5. Possesses appropriate communication skills to practice collaborative nursing.
6. Ability to respond quickly, physically and mentally when priorities and /or the patient’s condition changes.

Physical/Mental Requirements for Position:

1.       Ability to read and write (legibly.)
2.       Ability to communicate appropriately and effectively.
3.       Ability to understand and resolve simple to complex problems.
4.       Ability to understand simple to complex instructions.
5.       Ability to constantly walk, stand, and/or lift.
6.       Ability to frequently utilize full range of motion, including crouching, stooping, reaching, bending and twisting.
7.       Ability to frequently lift, pull, push with assistance of one other person, the weight of the average patient.
8. Ability to see and hear and distinguish color.
9. Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks.
10. Ability to function independently without constant supervision.

Bloodborne Pathogen Classification:

Category 1-Occupational exposure

Qualifications