Registered Nurse (RN), OR Circulator

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin is seeking a Registered Nurse (RN) Circulator to manage nursing care during surgical procedures in the OR. The role prepares the operating room, assists the surgical team, and monitors patient status throughout surgery.

Reporting to the OR Charge Nurse, you will collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and technologists to ensure safe, sterile, and efficient procedures. Immediate start; strong emphasis on patient advocacy and safety.

Qualifications

• ADN or higher nursing degree with Texas RN license.
• Minimum 2 years clinical experience, preferably in surgical/perioperative settings.
• BSN preferred and CNOR certification encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Preoperative preparation: set up OR with equipment and supplies; verify patient info and surgical site; ensure instruments sterile.
• Intraoperative: monitor sterile environment; assist in patient positioning; document procedure details.
• Patient advocacy: support patient before, during, and after surgery; monitor vitals pre-operation.
• Postoperative care: assess condition and discharge readiness; escort to recovery; provide discharge instructions.
• Compliance and safety: follow regulatory standards; enforce safety protocols; stay updated on best practices.

Skills

Surgical perioperative nursing

Intraoperative care

Patient advocacy

Sterile technique

Education

Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Texas RN License

Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN)

Job description

Job Posting Title

Registered Nurse (RN), OR Circulator

Hiring Department

Dell Medical School

Position Open To

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours

40

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date

Immediately

Position Duration

Expected to Continue

Location

AUSTIN, TX

PURPOSE

The RN Circulator manages the nursing care of patients during surgical procedures, ensuring a safe and sterile environment. This role prepares the operating room, assists the surgical team, and monitors patient status throughout the procedure. The RN Circulator typically reports to the OR Charge Nurse and works closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and surgical technologists.

Responsibilities

Preoperative Preparation

• Prepares the operating room with necessary equipment and supplies.
• Verifies patient information and surgical site before the procedure begins.
• Ensures all surgical instruments are sterilized and functioning.

Intraoperative Assistance

• Monitors the surgical team to maintain a sterile environment.
• Assists in positioning the patient safely before the surgery.
• Documents all aspects of the surgical procedure in the patient’s chart.

Patient Advocacy

• Acts as an advocate for the patient before, during, and after surgery.
• Monitors and records the patient’s vitals pre-operation.
• Provides emotional support to patients and their families.

Postoperative Care

• Assesses the patient's condition and readiness for discharge from the post-anesthesia care unit.
• Escorts patients to the recovery room post-operation.
• Provides discharge instructions and patient education.

Compliance and Safety

• Ensures compliance with regulatory and safety standards.
• Implements and enforces safety protocols for surgical procedures.
• Stays updated on industry regulations and best practices.

Required Qualifications

• Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• At least 2 year(s) of experience in a clinical setting, preferably in surgical or perioperative nursing.
• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of Texas.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN)
• At least 3 year(s) of experience in surgical or perioperative nursing.
• Certification in Perioperative Nursing (CNOR).

SALARY RANGE

$39.50/hr+ depending on qualifications

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/EQUIPMENT

• Standard office equipment
• Repetitive use of a keyboard
• May be exposed to such occupational hazards as communicable diseases, blood borne pathogens, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, hazardous medications and disoriented or combative patients, or others.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.