Operating Room Registered Nurse

Summary:

Under supervision, performs specialized professional nursing duties in assisting the operative nurse manager in the operating room; acts as scrub or sterile nurse; sets up the operating room according to the type of operation; assists the surgeon during operative procedures; transfers patient from operating room to recovery room; and performs related duties as required. Requires responsibility for: following and assisting established center and operating room procedures; achieving some economies and/or preventing losses, through the proper handling and use of instruments, supplies, and equipment; making regular contacts with surgeons, physicians, nurses, and subordinate personnel in carrying out specialized duties. Nature of work requires sustained physical effort, including considerable standing and walking; considerable adeptness in the use of fingers and hands when assisting a surgeon; exposure to some accident and injury hazards, with intermittent exposure to several disagreeable elements inherent in operating room procedures.

Responsibilities:

• Uses established techniques in preparing for and assisting with surgical procedures; provides and sets up necessary instruments, supplies, and equipment for different types of operations, according to established routines and instructions of the surgeon.
• As scrub or sterile nurse, sets up operating room with instruments as specifically required for type of operation to be performed; arranges instruments and other articles in specified order on portable table immediately accessible to, the surgeon; anticipates surgeon’s needs for instruments, sponges, sutures, suction tubes and other items and hands them to surgeon in most expeditious manner; maintains aseptic field.
• Observes patient during surgical procedure to detect possible complications and/or breaks in sterile technique; furnishes emergency equipment and supplies to prevent fatality.
• Manages contaminated instruments and supplies during operation procedures to prevent spread of infection.
• As a circulating nurse, places patients in prescribed position to assure access to operative field; adjusts operating table and accessory equipment as may be required; prepares operative area and drapes patient or assists surgeon with draping.
• Observes progress of surgery; provides additional instruments, supplies, or other items as needed; provides and regulates such fluids as blood, plasma, saline, and glucose solutions, cardiac and respiratory stimulants to prevent fatalities during operation.
• After the operation, may apply or assist in applying dressings, and transferring the patient from the operating room to the recovery room.
• Cleans or directs cleaning and sterilization of contaminated instruments, equipment, and supplies; re-sterilizes unused supplies; cares for and stores delicate surgical instruments; cleans or assists in cleaning operating room areas and caring for and disposing of infectious and soiled linen after conclusion of each operation.
• Maintains nursing guidelines by writing and/or updating policy and procedures.
• Manages, orients, trains, and develops nursing staff for the Operating Room.
• Maintains clean and safe work environments.
• Manages Inventory Control for the Operating Room.
• Manages specific equipment and inventory needs for the onboarding of new doctors and/or new procedures.
• Oversee the Instrumentation and Sterilization Process of equipment and train staff on the same.
• Works closely with the Nursing Manager on staffing, Infection Control, Policies and Procedures, and acts as a Nurse Manager in the absence of one on site.

Skills and Training:

• Requires thorough technical and working knowledge of the various steps involved in different types of operations to anticipate surgeons' needs; correct methods of handling instruments and supplies; surgical instruments used in various surgical procedures, and the related proper setting up of the operating room; the importance of maintaining an aseptic field. Requires specialized skill and ability, and mental and visual concentration when assisting a surgeon during an operative procedure.
• Requires possession of a valid certificate as a registered nurse issued by the state board of nursing examiners.