Registered Nurse - Operating Room

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Martinsburg (WV); On-site; USD 71,000 - 136,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, seeks a Perioperative Operating Room Registered Nurse (OR RN) to oversee patient care for surgical procedures.

The role includes circulator and scrub responsibilities, adherence to AORN standards, and meticulous documentation in the EHR. Responsibilities extend to maintaining sterile fields, administering medications, preventing infections, and ensuring patient safety.

Qualifications

• Active RN license in any US state or territory.
• Experience in perioperative/OR nursing preferred.
• Ability to function as circulator and scrub nurse in diverse surgical specialties.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct and coordinate care for patients undergoing operative procedures.
• Maintain sterility and safe use of instruments and equipment.
• Administer medications safely and ensure wound perfusion and infection prevention.
• Document care accurately in the electronic health record.
• Be on-call during off-tour hours for emergencies.

Skills

Circulator role competence

Scrub role knowledge

AORN standards familiarity

EHR documentation

On-call nursing

Education

RN licensure (US)

Tools

EHR systems

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

VHA Mission Statement: Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. VHA Vision Statement: VHA will continue to be the benchmark of excellence and value in health care and benefits by providing exemplary services that are both patient centered and evidence based. Core Values - "I CARE" Integrity Commitment Advocacy Respect Excellence

Key Responsibilities

The Perioperative Operating Room (OR) Registered Nurse (RN) is accountable for patient outcomes resulting from the nursing care for the patient undergoing a surgical/ invasive procedure. The perioperative OR RN plans, directs and coordinates the care of every patient undergoing operative and other invasive procedures, taking into consideration respect for the individual and recognition of the important contribution that each team member makes to the patient's well-being.

The OR RN is expected to function proficiently as the circulator and understand the scrub role/competencies within the OR and to be competent in all surgical specialties served. The OR RN maintains knowledge of current Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Standards, VHA Directives, and service level standard operating procedures.

The OR RN assures the sterility of the surgical field is maintained and all instrumentation and equipment in play is used in a safe and efficient manner.

The OR RN protects the patient from injury caused by chemical, electrical, mechanical, and thermal sources, and extraneous objects, performs counting procedures to protect the patient from unintended retained surgical items, participates in the Time Out process to ensure correct site, side, and level, and follow implant and tissue/tissue-based product documentation, policy, and procedures.

The OR RN manages the patient's specimens in the appropriate manner, administers medications safely and correctly, performs interventions to maintain the patient's wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline levels, and performs interventions to protect the patient from surgical site infection.

The OR RN is responsible for ensuring comprehensive documentation of all care provided during the perioperative experience is timely, complete, and accurate in the electronic health record. The OR RN is required to be on-call during off tours hours to provide patient care for emergency 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 0730-1600, with on-call rotation afterhours, weekends, and holidays.

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 $70938 – $135855/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-12.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.