Registered Nurse - Open Heart Surgery

Saint Michael's Medical Center; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 56,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

Saint Michael's Medical Center in Newark, NJ is seeking an RN for Open Heart Surgery. This full‑time day shift role involves circulating CABG and valve procedures and delivering perioperative nursing care with a focus on patient safety and outcomes.

The ideal candidate holds an active RN license, BLS, ACLS, and PALS with perioperative experience. Join a collaborative team dedicated to excellence in cardiovascular surgery.

Qualifications

• Current and unrestricted RN license.
• Current BLS (AHA) certification.
• ACLS (AHA) certification within 30 days of hire and maintained.
• PALS (AHA) certification within 30 days of hire and maintained.
• Minimum one year of perioperative nursing experience or equivalent training.

Responsibilities

• Circulate open heart procedures (CABG, valve cases).
• Provide perioperative nursing care from assessment to evaluation.
• Prepare and maintain OR environment and equipment.
• Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and team members for safe care.
• Monitor patient status and advocate for safety throughout perioperative process.
• Coordinate transitions and communicate with care teams.
• Direct and support OR staff during procedures.
• Ensure compliance with policies and infection control standards.
• Participate in quality improvement and staff education.

Skills

RN license

BLS

ACLS

PALS

Perioperative experience

Job description

Overview

RN, Open Heart Surgery - Full Time Days

Pay: $41.62/hr - $57.47/hr

Department: Surgery

Schedule: Full-Time, Days

The Registered Nurse (RN) – Open Heart Surgery provides specialized perioperative nursing care for patients undergoing complex cardiovascular surgical procedures, including Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) and heart valve surgeries. Working collaboratively with surgeons, anesthesiologists, perfusionists, and the surgical team, this role is responsible for circulating surgical cases, coordinating patient care throughout the operative process, and ensuring the highest standards of patient safety, quality, and clinical outcomes. The RN serves as a key resource within the operating room and supports efficient surgical operations through teamwork, regulatory compliance, and performance improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Circulate open heart surgical procedures, including CABG and valve replacement/repair cases.
• Provide comprehensive perioperative nursing care through patient assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Prepare and maintain the operating room environment, equipment, instruments, and supplies for cardiovascular procedures.
• Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, perfusionists, surgical technologists, and interdisciplinary team members to ensure safe and efficient surgical care.
• Monitor patient status throughout the perioperative process and advocate for patient safety at all times.
• Coordinate care transitions and communicate effectively with surgical and post-operative care teams.
• Direct and support OR Technicians and ancillary personnel during surgical procedures.
• Ensure compliance with hospital policies, regulatory requirements, infection prevention standards, and surgical best practices.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, staff education, department meetings, and ongoing professional development.
• Serve as a clinical resource and mentor for perioperative staff as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Current and unrestricted State Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Current BLS (AHA) certification.
• Current ACLS (AHA) certification within 30 days of hire and maintained throughout employment.
• Current PALS (AHA) certification within 30 days of hire and maintained throughout employment.
• Minimum one (1) year of perioperative nursing experience or equivalent surgical services training.
• Recent Open Heart Surgery experience required.
• Demonstrated ability to circulate CABG and valve surgery cases.
• Strong knowledge of perioperative nursing practices, sterile technique, patient safety standards, and cardiovascular surgical procedures.
• Excellent clinical judgment, communication, and teamwork skills.

Preferred

• CNOR (Certified Nurse Operating Room) certification.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• Experience in a cardiovascular operating room within an acute care hospital setting.

Join an award-winning team of dedicated professionals committed to our core values of quality, compassion and community! Saint Michael's Medical Center, a member of Prime Healthcare, offers incredible opportunities to expand your horizons and be part of a community dedicated to making a difference.

Established by the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor in 1867, Saint Michael's Medical Center is a 358-bed regional tertiary-care, teaching, and research center in the heart of Newark's business and educational district and is accredited by The Joint Commission. Combining state-of-the-art technology, the latest diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, leading-edge research, and a network of highly qualified physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals, the hospital provides top-quality health care services delivered with compassionate care.

The first medical institution in New Jersey to perform open-heart surgery, and the first to develop a cardiac catheterization program, Saint Michael's Medical Center is home to the Heart and Vascular Institute, which offers a comprehensive array of innovative cardiac treatments and procedures. Learn more at www.smmcnj.com .

Pay Transparency

Saint Michaels Medical Center offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package that provides employees the flexibility to tailor benefits according to their individual needs. Our Total Rewards package includes, but is not limited to, paid time off, a 401K retirement plan, medical, dental, and vision coverage, tuition reimbursement, and many more voluntary benefit options. Benefits may vary based on collective bargaining agreement requirements and/or the employment status, i.e. full-time or part-time. The current compensation range for this role is $41.62 to $57.47. The exact starting compensation to be offered will be determined at the time of selecting an applicant for hire, in which a wide range of factors will be considered, including but not limited to, skillset, years of applicable experience, education, credentials and licensure.

Employment Status

Full Time

Shift

Days

Equal Employment Opportunity

Company is an equal employment opportunity employer. Company prohibits discrimination against any applicant or employee based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (subject to applicable law), disability, military status, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. The Company also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. Know Your Rights: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/EEOC_KnowYourRights_screen_reader_10_20.pdf