Job Description
Registered Nurse – Surgical Services (OR). The unit consists of 11 operating room suites, including cystoscopy and obstetrics suites. The schedule opens seven to eight ORs Monday–Friday from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm or 5:30 pm, operating eight rooms until 3:30 pm and five rooms afterward. Minimal staffing per OR is one RN and one or two scrub personnel (RNs, CSFAs, surgical techs, LPNs). Call coverage is provided seven days a week by an RN and two surgical technicians from 3:30 pm to 7:00 am, with additional call on Saturdays and two shift changes. The unit performs a broad range of specialties: orthopedics, general, vascular, neurosurgery, ENT, plastics, OB/GYN, urology, and robotics (Da Vinci Xi). It also handles urgent/emergent cases and cesarean sections 24/7. Nursing orientation includes a comprehensive Relias program. Full‑time work averages 80 hours biweekly with an 8‑hour day shift and weekend coverage as needed, eligible for a weekend differential.
Responsibilities
- Demonstrate safe medication practice.
- Maintain a professional image and positive impression.
- Complete chart checks to ensure no missed orders.
- Accurately transcribe physician orders.
- Use therapeutic communication skills.
- Assess patient education needs and utilize educational resources.
- Attend 50% of staff/committee meetings and in‑services.
- Lead through the nursing process and supervise while ensuring accountability for outcomes.
- Serve as a resource for patient care, specialty, orientation, and staff teaching.
- Respond calmly to delays, apologize for inconveniences, and offer alternatives.
- Analyze assessment data, identify priority problems, and document in the Plan of Care.
- Apply problem‑solving skills to plan patient care.
- Identify and respond to critical changes in patient condition.
- Document discharge assessment against plan of care goals.
- Initiate and maintain IV therapy per IV standards.
- Respond appropriately to emergency situations.
- Use proper body mechanics to prevent injury; safely position, transfer, and transport patients.
- Function as a virtual nurse, managing admissions, discharges, education, documentation, and collaboration via a virtual platform.
- Identify patients pre‑admission to OR and assess operative site.
- Review H&P and anesthesia assessment forms for protocol adjustments (e.g., obesity, deafness, diabetes).
- Provide continuous patient assessment during surgery, reporting abnormalities immediately.
- Report all pertinent intraoperative information to PACU personnel.
- Plan equipment and supplies based on surgical type and physician preference, including radiological procedures.
- Maintain equipment and equipment supplies in accordance with standards of care.
- Position and drape patients to prevent exposure, nerve injury, and blood vessel damage.
- Prepare skin per protocols to prevent infection and skin damage.
- Create and maintain a sterile field.
- Account for needles, sponges, sutures, instruments, and other supplies; document on OR Count Sheet, Implant Records, and count board.
- Handle surgical specimens per policy and procedure.
- Assist in patient transfer to PACU per surgeon and anesthesia direction.
- Complete unit‑based competencies: electrosurgical unit, procedural counts, Orthopat‑Zimmer.
- Document accurately in the ORM portion of Meditech.
- Enforce safety measures including Universal Protocol, sharps safety, no‑pass zone, PPE, medication labeling, and specimen handling.
- Monitor SCIPS information as it applies to practice.
- Perform SBAR hand‑off communication between care levels.
- Prepare OR for cases by setting up table, instruments, and supplies.
- Prepare rooms between procedures and after terminal cleaning; monitor and restock supplies.
- Drape patients and assist the surgical team during procedures.
- Assist in maintaining correct counts of instruments, sutures, and sponges.
- Maintain aseptic technique and monitor for breaches.
- Assist surgeons by retracting tissues under direction.
- Identify and care for specimens.
Qualifications
Education
- Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing; Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred.
- Evidence of ongoing educational participation to update and maintain current knowledge and clinical skills.
Experience
- Demonstrated customer service behavior and communication skills.
- Preferred: previous nursing experience in the specialty area.
- Other area‑specific requirements (e.g., acute care experience, NICU experience, device management, etc.) are listed in the full position posting.
Certifications / Licensure
- Registered Professional Nurse license in Pennsylvania.
- CPR certification required.
- Specialty certifications as required per service (ACLS, PALS, NRP, CNOR, CPAN/CAPA, WOCNCB, CWCN, PMH‑BC, etc.).
- Temporary staff will work in a limited scope consistent with credentials and be supervised accordingly.