Registered Nurse (RN) Surgical Scrub

Aurora Health Care; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center in Milwaukee, WI seeks an experienced Operating Room Nurse to transition to a scrub role in the main OR.

The role supports preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative activities in a high-volume setting with Neuro/ENT, General, and Orthopedic cases. Requirements include a current WI RN license, BLS, and experience in perioperative nursing or surgical technology, along with strong aseptic technique and patient handling abilities.

Qualifications

• Current RN license in Wisconsin (WI).
• BLS certification required.
• Experience in perioperative nursing or with surgical technology preferred.
• Strong knowledge of aseptic technique and sterile procedures.

Responsibilities

• Preoperative preparation: maintain a clean, safe surgical area and prepare materials and equipment.
• Intraoperative support: assist surgeon, pass instruments, and maintain sterile field.
• Equipment & environment management: set up and operate surgical equipment and ensure sterility.
• Patient care & transport: position and transport patients safely, assist with age-appropriate care.
• Collaboration & communication: coordinate with surgical team and report equipment or supply issues.

Skills

RN license

BLS

Perioperative nursing

Tools

Surgical technology

Job description

Looking for an experienced Operating Room Nurse -looking to become a scrub nurse in the MAIN OR at ST LUKES Medical Center

Registered Nurse (RN) -Scrub Nurse
Milwaukee, WI, United States Centrally located in the south side of Milwaukee

Be The Nurse Who Redefines Care.

At Advocate Health, being a nurse means more than delivering exceptional clinical care—it means leading with purpose, compassion, and boldness. As part of our One Advocate Nurse community, you’ll join a unified team committed to lifting others up, embracing innovation, and creating inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive. You’ll be empowered to think boldly, collaborate with humility, and drive change through fearless curiosity. Whether you're at the bedside, in the community, or advancing care through research and education, you’ll help shape the future of health—because here, we’re redefining care for you, for us, for all.

Your feedback matters. Every nurse’s voice is vital in shaping our culture and improving care. We value your insights and experiences because they help us grow stronger together.

Where You Will Work

• 22 Operating rooms – services -Neuro/ENT, General, and Orthopedics

What We Are Looking For

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in [WI].
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Previous experience in perioperative nursing or surgical technology needed
• Strong knowledge of aseptic technique and surgical procedures.
• Ability to lift, push, and pull equipment and patients safely.

What You’ll Do

• Preoperative Preparation:
• Prepare and maintain a clean, safe, and efficient surgical area conducive to optimal patient care.
• Utilize aseptic techniques in the preparation of materials, supplies, and equipment for surgical procedures.
• Assist with gowning and gloving, draping the surgical area, and establishing a sterile field.
• Intraoperative Support:
• Anticipate surgeon needs and pass instruments, sutures, and supplies during procedures.
• Hold retractors and assist as Second Assistant when necessary.
• Observe and report any breaks in aseptic technique to maintain patient safety.
• Equipment & Environment Management:
• Set up and operate surgical equipment (e.g., tables, cameras, microscopes, fracture tables).
• Ensure proper functioning and sterility of instruments and specialty carts; coordinate repairs as needed.
• Maintain environmental disinfection and safety standards in the operating room.
• Patient Care & Transport:
• Safely position and transport patients using proper lifting and handling techniques.
• Provide age-appropriate care, demonstrating knowledge of growth and development principles across the lifespan.
• Collaboration & Communication:
• Notify appropriate staff of equipment or supply issues promptly.
• Work closely with the surgical team to ensure smooth workflow and optimal patient outcomes.

Why Join Us?

• Collaborative surgical team environment.
• Opportunities for professional growth and continuing education.
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.
• AORN educating modules
• Skills Lab

About This Location

Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center is a 938-bed, quaternary acute care community hospital that provides advanced health care expertise. The organization offers leading edge oncology, cardiovascular and neurology therapies for primarily adult patients. Nursing professional governance is a particular organizational strength, with over 40 years of experience in clinical nurse shared decision making. Aurora St. Luke’s has been recognized for Nursing Excellence by the American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Recognition Program® since 2001, most recently celebrating our 6th consecutive designation in February 2024.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, reach above shoulders, and twist frequently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to lift and support the weight of 35 pounds in handling patients, medical equipment, and supplies.
• Must be able to: push/pull with 30 lbs. of force and perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present.
• Must have functional speech, vision, hearing, and touch with ability to use fine hand manipulation skills for IV insertion and other procedures/functions.
• Maneuver foot pedals on carts or machines.
• Perform physical safety interventions such as patient restraint and verbal de-escalation, if needed.
• May be exposed to chemical and hazardous waste as well as blood and body fluids and communicable disease. Therefore, protective clothing and equipment must be worn as necessary.
• Must be able to respond quickly to changes in patient and/or unit conditions.
• Physical Abilities Testing may be required.
• Additional department specific physical requirements may be identified for unique responsibilities within the department by the nurse leader.