Registered Nurse- Operating Room

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Manchester (NH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Federal health/vision/dental insurance

Federal retirement plan

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Registered Nurse – Operating Room at the Manchester VA.

This full-time role requires RN licensure, perioperative experience, and leadership capabilities to support scrub and circulating duties across diverse surgical specialties. Responsibilities include maintaining sterile technique, coordinating with the perioperative team, documenting in the electronic health record, and supporting anesthesia during induction.

Qualifications

• English language proficiency required.
• Graduate of a nursing program approved by accrediting bodies (ACEN/CCNE).
• State licensure as a registered nurse on appointment or eligible for licensure (GNT exception possible).
• 3–5 years nursing surgery experience preferred with OR leadership/education exposure.
• CNOR preferred; experience in perioperative quality improvement is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Independently circulate surgical procedures and maintain sterile technique.
• Scrub and assist in diverse surgical specialties; prepare instruments and supplies.
• Coordinate with interdisciplinary perioperative team; ensure documentation and patient safety.
• Assist anesthesia with induction within nursing scope and prepare the OR for surgery.
• Lead nursing duties and participate in unit/hospital committees; provide staffing support.

Skills

English proficiency

Nursing leadership

Quality improvement

Education

Associate Degree in Nursing or Diploma

BSN with experience

Master's degree in nursing

Job description

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program
• Upon achievement of a State license - the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
• (Reference VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6)
• OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing - possession of a current - full - active - and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
• Current - full - active - and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or the District of Columbia
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess the required licensure - may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification
• Preferred Experience: A minimum of three to five (3-5) years of successful surgery (scrub and circulate) clinical practice required - with at least one (1) year of recent nursing charge / leadership / education experience in an Operating Room
• Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) certification highly preferred
• Experience in quality improvement or quality management within the perioperative setting - including monitoring outcomes - ensuring compliance with standards - and driving initiatives to enhance patient safety and care effectiveness
• Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13058869
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and no professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: All applicants must be physically able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position
• A pre placement examination shall be completed prior to appointment.

Duties

• This Registered Nurse- Operating Room is located in the Nursing - Perioperative Service at the Manchester VA location
• This position is full-time at 40 hours per week
• Duties are Included but are not limited to: Independently circulate a wide range of surgical procedures - ensuring adherence to sterile technique - patient safety standards - surgical time-outs - accurate documentation - and effective coordination among the interdisciplinary perioperative team throughout all phases of care according to National and local VA directives
• Perform scrub nurse responsibilities for diverse surgical specialties by maintaining sterile fields - preparing and handling surgical instruments and supplies - anticipating surgeon needs - and supporting safe - efficient intraoperative patient care
• Manage OR equipment as it applies to the surgical procedure
• Interview the patient and review the preoperative assessment - check chart for required documentation: history and physical examination - consents - day of surgery note - correct surgical site - laboratory tests results - lab values - allergies - and NPO status
• Assist anesthesia provider with induction within Nursing Scope of Practice
• Review surgeon's preference card and prepare the OR for the surgery
• Ensure availability of instruments - equipment - sterile supplies - and implants
• Ensure proper patient positioning for various surgical procedures
• Complete documentation on OR record using the electronic health record (Vista/CPRS)
• Perform surgical counts of instruments - sharps - sponges - and miscellaneous items with the scrub person per policy
• Work collaboratively with all levels of health care professional and support staff to facilitate positive patient care outcomes
• Compliance with PPE - precautions - and Infection Control Guidelines Skills in time management - priority setting - assessment and urgent intervention are essential to develop
• Demonstrate leadership by active participation in charge nurse duties and unit/hospital committees
• Offer staffing support to PACU and surgical clinics
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
• Notifications: This is not a Bargaining Unit Position This position is in the Excepted Service This position is covered by a special rate
• Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50 - (Notice of Personnel Action)
• The SF-50 must identify the position title - series - grade - step - tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted)
• In some cases - more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held
• 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.