Registered Nurse - Operating Room

OUR MISSION

To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

The Operating Room (OR) Registered Nurse delivers fundamental knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical skills. Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care based on age-specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team.

The perioperative OR RN plans, directs and coordinates the care of every patient undergoing operative and other invasive procedures, taking into consideration respect for the individual and recognition of the important contribution that each team member makes to the patients well-being. This OR RN is expected to function proficiently in both the circulator and scrub role (proficient within one year) within the OR and to be competent in all surgical specialties served.

The OR RN maintains knowledge of current Association of peri-Operative Registered Nurses (AORN) Standards, VHA Directives, and service level standard operating procedures. The OR RN assures the sterility of the surgical field is maintained and all instrumentation and equipment in play is used in a safe and efficient manner. The OR RN protects the patient from injury caused by chemical, electrical, mechanical, and thermal sources, and extraneous objects, performs counting procedures to protect the patient from unintended retained surgical items, participates in the Time Out process to ensure correct site, side, and level, and follow implant and tissue/tissue-based product documentation, policy, and procedures.

The OR RN manages, administers medications safely and correctly, performs wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline levels, and performs interventions to protect the patient from surgical site infection. The OR RN is responsible for ensuring comprehensive documentation of all care provided during the perioperative experience is timely, complete, and accurate in the electronic health record. The OR RN is required to be on-call during off tours hours to provide patient care for emergency procedures.

The OR RN is responsible for assessing patient condition before and after surgery. He/she assumes responsibility of keeping the OR clean and the field sterile. He/she evaluates the patient's medical record for necessary documentation prior to surgery such as History & Physical and consents. The OR RN ensures that equipment is functioning correctly and maintains patient safety standards. He/she understands and uses positioning devices appropriately when positioning the patient on the operating table.

The OR RN ensures that the Time Out procedure follows The Joint Commission standards. He/she accurately assesses the patient for fire risk using the ASA scoring system and documents in medical record. The OR RN maintains accurate record of operation, documenting in VISTA surgical package and CPRS as appropriate. He/she works with logistics and Sterile Processing Services for any case cart discrepancies and follow process to have preference cards updated as needed.

The OR RN collects and properly labels specimens taken during the procedure, follows process for specimen tracking and ensures delivery to lab in a timely manner. He/she works with the Implant Coordinator to ensure correct implants are available and ensures proper documentation and tracking of implants is achieved. He/she assists the surgeon during operation, passing medical instruments, and gathering supplies as needed.

The OR RN implements nursing care plans for patients undergoing surgery. He/she monitors vital signs and provides for post operative care for patients undergoing local anesthesia…