OR Circulator Registered Nurse

MedHQ; Santa Maria (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 112,000; Full time

Job summary

RIVA Surgery Center in Orcutt, CA is seeking a Circulator Registered Nurse to coordinate and manage multi-disciplinary activities for a safe surgical environment. You will support patient care before, during, and after surgery, acting as an advocate and ensuring smooth OR flow.

The role requires active RN licensure in California, BLS (ACLS/PALS optional), and peri-operative experience to uphold high safety and quality standards in a new ambulatory center.

Qualifications

• Licensed RN in the State of California.
• Current BLS certification; ACLS and PALS if applicable.
• Minimum of one year peri-operative nursing experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Act as patient advocate within operating room nursing.
• Improve patient safety during intra-operative state of enforced dependency.
• Create a safe, therapeutic environment addressing patient needs.
• Provide a channel of communication between the OR team and outside contacts.
• Prepare instruments, supplies, and equipment for procedures.
• Document data including charge sheets, nursing notes, and surgical logs.
• File incident reports for unusual events per center policy.

Skills

English communication

Peri-operative nursing

Patient advocacy

Safety awareness

OR coordination

Education

RN license in California

BLS/ACLS/PALS certifications

Job description

RIVA Surgery Center is a new ambulatory surgery center located in Orcutt, CA. We are currently building our team and looking for dedicated, motivated professionals who are interested in being part of a new center from the beginning. This is a great opportunity to join a growing team, help establish a positive and collaborative work environment, and provide quality patient care in a state-of-the-art facility.

Position Summary

The Circulator RN is the surgical team member responsible for coordinating and controlling the multi-disciplinary activities required to provide a safe environment for patients undergoing surgical intervention. The Circulator's work is crucial to the smooth flow of events before, during, and after a surgical procedure.

Responsibilities

• Act as patient advocate within operating room nursing
• Take responsibility for improving patient safety during the state of enforced dependency created intra-operatively
• Create a safe, therapeutic environment in which the patient's psychological, physiological, and physical needs are identified, anticipated, and met
• Provide a channel of communication between the operating room team and persons outside the room who are concerned with the patient's operative status
• Make provisions for instrument, supply, and equipment requirements of surgical procedures, as assigned
• Document accurate, timely data, including charge sheets, incident reports, nursing notes, and surgical logs
• Files incident reports for any unusual event involving a patient or staff member (such as falls, needlestick injuries, aspiration, allergic reactions, or disruptive behavior) and reports any actual or alleged abuse, harassment, or injury, per center policy.

Pre-Operative

• Check the OR schedule to confirm the patient's name, surgeon, anesthetist, and the nature of the surgical procedure
• Request drugs as required by the anesthetist or physician
• Inspect the OR to be certain it is clean, complete, and safe; check all equipment, including lights and suction, for safety, function, and complete assembly
• Direct and assist the surgical technician in preparing for the procedure according to established procedure and the surgeon's preference card
• Conduct and document surgical counts with the surgical technician
• Greet the patient in the Pre-Op Holding Area for identification and physical/psychological assessment
• Accompany the patient to the OR and assist in transfer to the operating table
• Remain at the patient's side during induction of anesthesia until the patient is anesthetized, positioned safely, and fastened securely to the table, including placing the safety belt, placing monitor electrodes per established procedures, and confirming the oxygen flow alarm is on when oxygen is turned on

Intra-Operative

• Anticipate the needs of the surgical team and provide supplies and equipment as requested
• Coordinate all activities within the OR for a safe, effective, and timely surgical procedure
• Provide for the patient's physiological and psychological needs; maintain an environment free of disturbing sounds and statements; stay alert for any break in technique that may contaminate the operative field
• Keep a running tally of sponge, material, and needle counts, document them, and inform the surgeon of any discrepancies
• Handle specimens, including accurate labeling and identification, placement in the appropriate containers or solutions, and dispatch to the laboratory per established procedures
• Maintain accurate records of patient data during the procedure, such as vital signs
• Assist with dressing

Post-Operative

• Remain at the patient's side and assist the anesthesiologist as required (suctioning, extubating, etc.); transfer the patient to a post-op gurney or wheelchair if the patient received only local anesthesia
• Give a patient condition report to the Recovery Room nurse, identifying any problems, potential problems, and dressings
• Complete documentation and distribute it to the designated area
• Make certain all specimens are placed for dispatch and entered in the Specimen Log
• Direct and assist with between-case clean-up for smooth flow of following cases; inspect the room and prepare for the next case as assigned
• If last case of the day, direct or perform all terminal cleaning activities
• Turn off oxygen at the end of the surgery day and ensure sufficient sterile packs are prepared for the next day's surgeries

Qualifications

• Licensed as an RN in the State of California
• Current BLS certification; ACLS and PALS if applicable
• Minimum of one year of peri-operative nursing experience preferred but not mandatory, including a thorough working knowledge of surgical and aseptic technique
• Working knowledge of the physiological and anatomical aspects of scheduled surgical procedures
• Ability to communicate and understand the English language, both verbal and written
• Physical ability and perceptive acuity (e.g., visual, hearing) to satisfactorily perform all direct and indirect care functions
• May be expected to lift 25 pounds without assistance. Must obtain assistance when moving patients who are unable to assist, unless the patient is in a wheelchair or on a gurney. May be required to push patients in wheelchairs or on gurneys.