Registered Nurse (Operating Room)

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration in Richmond, VA seeks an experienced OR Registered Nurse (RN) to provide perioperative care across multiple surgical specialties. The role includes circulating and scrubbing, maintaining sterile technique, and ensuring accurate documentation in the electronic health record.

The ideal candidate holds an RN license in the United States, with BSN preferred and a track record in perioperative nursing.

Qualifications

• Active RN license in the United States.
• BSN preferred; ADN or Diploma with experience acceptable per VA standards.
• Experience in perioperative and on-call nursing may be required.
• Knowledge of VA nursing qualification standards and policies.

Responsibilities

• Provide perioperative nursing care for patients undergoing surgical procedures.
• Assume circulator and scrub roles as needed in the OR.
• Ensure patient safety, sterile technique, and documentation in the EHR.
• Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and staff across departments.
• Participate in on-call duties and maintain professional licensure.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical nursing

Communication skills

Education

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Nursing Diploma

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Master's degree in Nursing (MSN)

Tools

Electronic Health Records (EHR)

SOPs knowledge

Job description

Summary

The Veterans Affairs Operating Room (OR) in Richmond - Virginia is a state-of-the-art surgical facility dedicated to providing high-quality care to our nation's Veterans. Richmond VAMC is a 1a complex facility operating room. The OR suite consists of nine ORs equipped to handle a wide range of surgical specialties - including neurosurgery - orthopedics - ophthalmology - podiatry - gynecology - plastics - cardiac - thoracic - bariatrics - robotic surgery - ENT - and general surgery.

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
• 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/13093393
• 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 with no additional 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: This clinical position includes a physicality normally associated with direct patient care: the physical requirements of this position include lifting - prolonged standing - sitting - frequent bending - stooping - walking - reaching - repetitive motion - and climbing stairs
• The mental/sensory requirements include logical thinking - processing and retaining information - reading - recall - reasoning - complex problem solving - hearing - clear distinct speech - writing - keyboarding - use of a telephone - and use of video connectivity
• This position requires face-to-face patient care - use of available IT software and equipment for virtual visits - and timely and accurate navigation of and documentation in electronic medical records
• The environment's pace can vary from steady to fast-paced requiring handling multiple priorities in a single day - frequent - sometimes intense customer interactions - and the ability to adapt to frequent changes in a sometimes-noisy environment
• There may be the need to use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to disease - illness - and hazardous materials
• This position involved working with persons with communication difficulties - cognitive loss including dementia - behavioral challenges - altered mentation and caregivers that are stressed
• Collaboration with multiple stakeholders is essential
• This position requires compliance with VHA-mandated vaccinations and meeting employee health requirements.

Duties

• The Nurse II 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 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 wellbeing
• The OR RN is expected to function proficiently in both the circulator and scrub role within the OR and to be competent in all surgical specialties served
• The OR RN maintains knowledge of current Association of peri-Operative Registered Nurses (AORN) standards - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Directives - and service level standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• 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
• Duties included but not limited to the following: 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 follows implant and tissue/tissue-based product documentation - policy - and procedures
• 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
• Responsible for ensuring comprehensive documentation of all care provided during the perioperative experience is timely - complete - and accurate in the electronic health record
• Responsible for knowing what reusable instruments - equipment - medical devices - or supplies are in use in the clinical area
• Obtains - reads - and follows Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all reusable medical equipment (RME) in use in the clinical area and consults Sterile Processing and/or Infection Control as needed
• The OR RN is required to be on-call during off tours hours to provide patient care for emergency procedures
• The OR RN demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• Evaluates practice in an ongoing process - based on best evidence
• Provides peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement
• Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professional
• Performs in the circulator and scrub role required
• 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: Full-time - days with rotation to evening shift as needed
• Staffing needs to support evening shift in weekly rotations
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized