Registerd Nurse (RN) OR Circulator

Talented Medical Solutions; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Talented Medical Solutions in San Luis Obispo, CA is seeking a Registered Nurse for an Operating Room Circulator role on a 13-week full-time contract. This OR Circulator provides perioperative care, collaborates with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and the OR team, and documents care in Epic EMR to ensure clinical communication and patient safety.

The ideal candidate has current RN licensure, BLS (ACLS preferred), CNOR preferred, and solid perioperative nursing experience.

Qualifications

• Current RN license in good standing.
• Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
• BLS certification required.
• ACLS certification preferred or required per facility policy.
• CNOR certification preferred.
• 1–2 years OR nursing experience preferred.
• Epic EMR experience preferred.
• Knowledge of AORN standards and sterile technique.
• Strong clinical assessment and teamwork.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced OR.

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive preoperative patient assessments and verify identity, procedure, consent, allergies, and site.
• Coordinate all aspects of patient care before, during, and after surgery.
• Advocate for patient safety and adherence to standards of care.
• Maintain sterile OR environment and proper counts with scrub personnel.
• Conduct time-outs and participate in Universal Protocol.
• Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesia providers, CRNAs, and OR team.
• Monitor patient status and respond to changes.
• Coordinate equipment, implants, and supplies for procedures.
• Administer medications and fluids per orders.
• Document perioperative care in Epic EMR.
• Ensure infection control and regulatory compliance.
• Assist patient transfer to PACU and handoffs.

Skills

RN license

BLS

ACLS (preferred)

CNOR (preferred)

Epic EMR

Teamwork

Critical thinking

Patient safety

Sterile technique

Education

Accredited nursing program

Tools

Epic EMR

Job description

Full-time, Contract, 13 weeks EPIC is a must

In-Office | San Luis Obispo, CA, United States

The Opportunity

The Registered Nurse (RN) – Operating Room Circulator is responsible for providing comprehensive perioperative nursing care to patients undergoing surgical procedures. Working collaboratively with surgeons, anesthesia providers, surgical technologists, and other healthcare professionals, the OR Circulator ensures patient safety, maintains a sterile environment, and coordinates all aspects of patient care throughout the surgical experience. This role utilizes the Epic electronic health record (EHR) system to accurately document patient care, manage perioperative workflows, and support clinical communication.

Key Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive preoperative patient assessments and verify patient identity, surgical procedure, informed consent, allergies, and surgical site according to hospital policies.

Coordinate all aspects of patient care before, during, and after surgical procedures.

Serve as the patient advocate throughout the perioperative experience, ensuring patient safety and adherence to evidence-based standards of care.

Maintain a safe, sterile, and organized operating room environment.

Conduct surgical time-outs and participate in Universal Protocol to ensure patient safety.

Collaborate effectively with surgeons, anesthesiologists, certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), surgical technologists, and interdisciplinary team members.

Monitor patient condition throughout surgery and promptly recognize and respond to changes in patient status.

Manage surgical specimens according to policy and ensure proper labeling and documentation.

Oversee surgical counts with the scrub person to ensure accuracy and prevent retained surgical items.

Coordinate equipment, implants, supplies, and instrumentation required for surgical procedures.

Administer medications and intravenous fluids in accordance with physician orders and nursing standards.

Document all perioperative care accurately and timely using the Epic electronic medical record (EMR), including assessments, medications, implants, counts, and intraoperative events.

Ensure compliance with infection prevention protocols, regulatory standards, and organizational policies.

Assist with patient transfer to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and provide comprehensive handoff communication.

Qualifications

Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing.

Graduate of an accredited nursing program.

Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification preferred or required based on facility policy.

CNOR certification preferred.

Minimum of one to two years of Operating Room nursing experience preferred.

Experience using Epic electronic medical record (EMR/EHR) system preferred.

Knowledge of AORN standards, sterile technique, surgical instrumentation, and perioperative nursing practices.

Strong clinical assessment and critical thinking skills.

Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.

Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced surgical environment.

Proficiency in Epic documentation and perioperative workflows.

Strong attention to detail and commitment to patient safety.

Knowledge of infection prevention, quality improvement, and regulatory compliance standards.

Ability to remain calm and effective during emergency or high-acuity situations.

Physical Requirements

Ability to stand for extended periods during surgical procedures.

Frequent lifting, pushing, pulling, and repositioning of patients and equipment.

Manual dexterity sufficient to handle surgical equipment and supplies.

Ability to respond quickly to emergency situations.

The Operating Room Circulator works in a fast-paced surgical environment requiring flexibility, critical thinking, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. The position may require rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, call coverage, and overtime based on departmental needs.