Or Circulator RN

The Operating Room Registered Nurse (RN) – Circulator is responsible for providing safe, effective, and high-quality perioperative nursing care in an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC). The RN Circulator serves as the patient advocate during surgical procedures, ensuring adherence to sterile technique, regulatory standards, and patient safety protocols while facilitating efficient surgical flow.

Preoperative Duties

·         Conduct preoperative patient assessments and verify informed consent.

·         Confirm patient identity, procedure, site, and allergies per facility protocol.

·         Ensure completion of preoperative documentation and chart review.

·         Conduct surgical “Time-Out” process in accordance with safety standards.

·         Prepare the operating room with necessary equipment, supplies, and medications.

·         Intraoperative Duties

·         Serve as the primary patient advocate during surgical procedures.

·         Maintain a sterile and safe environment in collaboration with the surgical team.

·         Coordinate surgical team activities and manage workflow.

·         Document intraoperative events accurately and in real time.

·         Perform sponge, sharps, and instrument counts with scrub personnel.

·         Administer medications as ordered and monitor patient condition.

·         Ensure proper handling and labeling of specimens.

·         Respond appropriately to emergencies and changes in patient status.

·         Postoperative Duties

·         Assist with patient transfer to PACU and provide thorough handoff report.

·         Complete required documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR).

·         Participate in quality assurance and performance improvement activities.

Additional Duties

·         Maintain compliance with infection control and safety standards.

·         Participate in quality improvement initiatives.

·         Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the electronic health record (EHR).

·         Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and other healthcare professionals.

·         Maintain a clean, safe, and organized clinical environment.

Qualifications

·         Current, unrestricted State of Alaska Registered Nurse (RN) license.

·         Current BLS and ACLS certification required.

Experience

·         Minimum 1–2 years of recent Operating Room experience preferred.

·         Prior experience in PACU, critical care, ER, or ambulatory surgery strongly preferred.

·         IV therapy and moderate sedation recovery experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

·         Strong knowledge of surgical procedures and sterile technique.

·         Strong assessment and critical thinking skills.

·         Effective communication and teamwork skills.

·         Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced outpatient setting.

·         Excellent communication and patient education skills.

·         Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced ambulatory setting.

·         Strong organizational and time-management skills.

·         Requires standing, walking, lifting, and assisting patients as needed.