Registered Nurse - Operating Room (OR)

Akicita Federal, LLC; Pine Ridge (SD); On-site; USD 166,000 - 177,000; Full time

Job summary

Akicita Federal is seeking a Registered Nurse to deliver direct perioperative and surgical nursing care at Pine Ridge IHS Hospital in Pine Ridge, SD. You will join a dedicated nursing team providing hands-on care to Native American patients and families, with duties spanning pre-operative assessment through post-operative recovery.

The role emphasizes sterile technique, OR safety, IV placement, and multi-route medication administration, with on-site shifts Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–3:30 PM.

Qualifications

• Active, unrestricted RN license in SD or a compact state.
• Hands-on experience in surgical nursing or perioperative care.
• Ability to perform sterile technique and OR safety protocols.
• Competency in IV insertion and administration of medications via multiple routes.
• Availability to work on-site Mon-Fri 7:00 AM–3:30 PM.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive pre-operative assessments and prepare patients for surgical procedures in a rural hospital setting.
• Perform surgical timeouts, surgical counts, and sterile supply passes to maintain patient safety and OR integrity.
• Administer medications via oral, transdermal, intravenous, intramuscular, sublingual, and subcutaneous routes as part of perioperative and post-operative care plans.
• Manage post-operative pain, monitor patient recovery, and coordinate handoff to appropriate care teams.
• Perform adult and neonatal venipuncture and skin puncture for IV placement and blood collection.
• Operate and maintain sterile operating suites and surgical equipment, including oxygen therapy systems and extremity tourniquets.
• Float as needed to the Emergency Room, Outpatient Clinic, or Acute Care In-Patient units to support patient observation, medication administration, or other intermittent care needs.

Skills

RN license

Surgical nursing

Perioperative care

Sterile technique

IV insertion

Medication administration

On-site availability

Education

Nursing degree

Job description

Akicita Federal is hiring Registered Nurses to deliver direct surgical nursing care for the Indian Health Service at the Pine Ridge Service Unit in Pine Ridge, SD — serving the Oglala Lakota Nation on one of the most storied reservations in the American West. You will work alongside a dedicated hospital nursing team, providing hands‑on perioperative and surgical support that directly raises the standard of health care available to American Indian patients and their families.

• Provide comprehensive pre-operative assessments and prepare patients for surgical procedures in a rural hospital setting.
• Perform surgical timeouts, surgical counts, and sterile supply passes to maintain patient safety and OR integrity.
• Administer medications via oral, transdermal, intravenous, intramuscular, sublingual, and subcutaneous routes as part of perioperative and post-operative care plans.
• Manage post-operative pain, monitor patient recovery, and coordinate handoff to appropriate care teams.
• Perform adult and neonatal venipuncture and skin puncture for IV placement and blood collection.
• Operate and maintain sterile operating suites and surgical equipment, including oxygen therapy systems and extremity tourniquets.
• Float as needed to the Emergency Room, Outpatient Clinic, or Acute Care In-Patient units to support patient observation, medication administration, or other intermittent care needs.

$166,400 - $176,800 a year

Weekly rate: $3,200–$3,400 per week.

• Active, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license valid for practice in South Dakota or a compact state license accepted by South Dakota.
• Hands‑on experience in surgical nursing, perioperative care, or a closely related acute care nursing specialty.
• Demonstrated ability to perform sterile technique, surgical counts, and OR safety protocols.
• Competency in IV insertion, medication administration across multiple routes, and post‑operative pain management.
• Availability to work Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–3:30 PM (five 8‑hour shifts per week) on‑site at Pine Ridge IHS Hospital.

What sets candidates apart:

• Prior experience working in a rural, critical‑access, or tribal health care facility.
• Familiarity with Indian Health Service care environments, policies, or patient populations.
• Certification in perioperative nursing (e.g., CNOR) or related specialty credential.
• Experience floating across multiple units including emergency, outpatient, or inpatient acute care settings.
• Demonstrated commitment to culturally responsive care for Native American communities.

About Akicita Federal

Akicita Federal is a Native American‑owned federal contractor delivering healthcare, clinical, IT, and program‑support services across the Indian Health Service, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other federal agencies. We hire the people who do the work — clinicians, analysts, engineers, support staff — and we treat them like the professionals they are.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Akicita Federal is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Akicita Federal complies with the Indian Preference provisions of the Indian Self‑Determination and Education Assistance Act (P.L. 93‑638) where applicable.