Operating Room Registered Nurse

Veterans Health Administration; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 74,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Retirement

Insurance

Licensure

Work schedule

Job summary

The Iowa City VA Medical Center is recruiting for an Operating Room (OR) Registered Nurse (RN). The OR RN plans, directs and coordinates the care of every patient undergoing operative and other invasive procedures.

As part of Veterans Health Administration, you will work within a Whole Health System and collaborate with the surgical team to provide sterile, safe, and high-quality perioperative care, including on-call coverage and documentation in the electronic health record.

Qualifications

• Perioperative nursing care responsibilities
• Team coordination across surgical staff
• Knowledge of perioperative standards and directives

Responsibilities

• Provides accountable, outcome-based perioperative nursing care for patients undergoing surgical and invasive procedures
• Plans, directs, and coordinates all aspects of perioperative nursing care with respect for patient individuality
• Functions as circulator and scrub nurse across surgical specialties and maintains up-to-date knowledge of AORN and VHA directives
• Ensures sterility, safe instrument use, and correct documentation in the EHR
• Participates in on-call coverage during off-tour hours to support emergency procedures

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The Iowa City VA Medical Center is recruiting for an Operating Room (OR) Registered Nurse (RN). The OR RN plans, directs and coordinates the care of every patient undergoing operative and other invasive procedures.

Key Responsibilities

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran.

This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Provides accountable, outcome-based perioperative nursing care for patients undergoing surgical and invasive procedures.

Plans, directs, and coordinates all aspects of perioperative nursing care with respect for patient individuality and collaboration with the surgical team. Functions proficiently in both the circulator and scrub roles across all surgical specialties. Maintains current knowledge of Association of peri-Operative Registered Nurse Standards (AORN), VHA Directives, and service-level operating procedures.

Ensures sterility of the surgical field and uses instrumentation and equipment safely and efficiently. Protects patients from injury related to chemical, electrical, mechanical, thermal sources, and extraneous objects. Performs counting procedures to prevent unintended retained surgical items. Participates in the Time Out process to ensure correct patient, site, side, and procedure. Follows all implant, tissue, and tissue-based product documentation requirements and policies.

Manages and processes patient specimens appropriately. Administers medications safely and accurately. Performs interventions to maintain wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline. Implements measures to prevent surgical site infections. Completes comprehensive, timely, and accurate perioperative documentation in the electronic health record.

Participates in on-call coverage during off-tour hours to support emergency surgical procedures

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package:

• VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards
• Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
• Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm, shift during call weeks is 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.
• Compressed/Flexible: Not available.
• Telework: Not available.
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $73696 – $122961/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-12.

How many openings are available?

There are 2 openings for this position.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.