Registered Nurse OR Circulator FT

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Operating Room Nurses provide direct and individualized nursing care to patients based on the application of scientific nursing principles. In addition to general nursing care, responsibilities of OR Nurses include (but are not limited to):

• Consults and coordinates with health care team members to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care plans.

• Conducts pre- and post-operative education.
• Serves as the communication liaison to family and members of the operating team.
• Takes and monitors patients vital signs.
• Ensures that operating on correct patient and the correct procedure is being performed.
• Provides basic, bedside care.
• Prepares and administers (orally, subcutaneously, through an IV) and records prescribed medications. Reports adverse reactions to medications or treatments in accordance with the policy regarding the administration of medications by a licensed registered nurse.
• Responds to life-saving situations based upon nursing standards and protocol.
• Records all care information concisely, accurately and completely, in a timely manner, in the appropriate format and on the appropriate forms.
• Preps operating room for patient/procedure.
• Initiates corrective action whenever information from monitoring equipment shows adverse symptomatology.
• Monitors patients physical and emotional well-being throughout the care continuum.
• Initiates patient education plan, as prescribed by physician. Teaches patients and significant others how to manage their post-treatment home care needs, self-administration of medication and rehabilitation.
• Performs other position-related duties as assigned, depending on assignment setting

During the surgical procedure, OR Nurses can take the role of:

Circulating Nurse, with the following additional duties:

• Assists in positioning, responding to comfort/safety of patient
• Provides for accurate care and handling of specimens
• Observes and enforces strict standards of asepsis
• Observes, checks and monitors all equipment used during surgery to confirm they are running smoothly
• Handles patient documentation Inventories all items both pre- and post-surgery