Job Summary:
The Surgical Services Circulator is responsible for coordinating and implementing individualized care plans for surgical patients throughout the perioperative process. This role involves functioning as a Day Surgery RN, Intra-Operative RN (Circulating and/or Scrub RN), and PACU RN, ensuring patient safety, effective communication, and collaboration across disciplines. The position requires adherence to professional standards and policies, critical thinking, and the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
Responsibilities:
- Plan, implement, and evaluate patient care plans based on assessments to optimize outcomes and resource use.
- Monitor, record, and communicate patient condition appropriately throughout perioperative phases.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate patient care, including transfers, discharge, referrals, and psychosocial support.
- Identify and address barriers to effective communication considering psychosocial, literacy, financial, and cultural factors.
- Evaluate and provide patient and family education tailored to age, culture, condition, and circumstances.
- Delegate patient care tasks to ancillary personnel and precept student nurses and new hires as needed.
- Employ critical thinking and decisive judgment with minimal supervision in emergency and routine situations.
- Ensure perioperative verification is complete before surgery (e.g., H&P, informed consent, test results, surgical site).
- Respond appropriately to emergencies following ACLS, PALS protocols, and institutional policies.
- Provide thorough handoff reports on patient status to receiving units.
- Maintain patient confidentiality and adhere to infection control, safety, and risk management policies.
- Participate in continuous quality improvement and regulatory compliance activities.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Skills & Certifications:
- Unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in Colorado or a Compact State.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification within six months of hire.
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification within six months of hire.
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) or Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course (ENPC) within one year of hire.
- Minimum of two years hospital nursing experience preferred.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced surgical environment.
Preferred Skills & Certifications:
- Previous Operating Room (OR) nursing experience.
- Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC), especially for call positions.
- High School Diploma or equivalent preferred if applicable.
Special Considerations:
- Must adhere to AORN and ASPAN standards and institutional policies.
- Readiness to respond to emergency situations with appropriate interventions.
- Commitment to organizational values and professional appearance per dress code.
- Must be able to pass background check, drug screen, and breath alcohol test.
- Compliance with employee health requirements.
Scheduling:
- Work in a fast-paced perioperative environment with possible day surgery, intra-operative, and PACU shifts.
- Shift assignments may vary to cover surgical services needs and on-call responsibilities if applicable.