RN - Circulator / Pre-Op / PACU

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Registered Nurse (RN) with strong hands-on experience across Pre-Op, Operating Room Circulation, and PACU for a 13-week contract assignment in Lamar, Colorado.

This is a multi-functional perioperative nursing role. Candidates must be able to work independently in all three areas: Pre-Op, OR Circulator, and Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU).

The ideal candidate has extensive perioperative nursing experience and is comfortable supporting patients throughout the entire surgical process—from preoperative assessment and preparation through intraoperative circulating responsibilities and postoperative recovery.

This is a day-shift position with some weekend call responsibilities. Candidates should also be flexible to remain beyond the scheduled shift when surgical case volume requires additional coverage.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Operative Nursing

• Perform comprehensive preoperative patient assessments.
• Review medical history, allergies, medications, laboratory results, and required documentation.
• Verify surgical consent, procedure, and surgical site before the patient enters the operating room.
• Prepare patients physically and emotionally for surgery.
• Start and manage IV access as appropriate.
• Administer preoperative medications according to provider orders.
• Educate patients and families regarding surgical procedures, anesthesia, recovery, and postoperative expectations.
• Identify potential risks or changes in patient condition and communicate concerns promptly.

Operating Room / Circulator

• Function independently as an Operating Room Circulating RN.
• Coordinate nursing activities throughout surgical procedures.
• Verify patient identity, surgical procedure, surgical site, consent, and required documentation.
• Participate in surgical time-outs and patient-safety protocols.
• Assist with patient positioning, preparation, and transfer to the operating room table.
• Maintain a safe, sterile, and properly controlled surgical environment.
• Ensure necessary equipment, supplies, medications, and implants are available.
• Anticipate the needs of surgeons, anesthesia professionals, surgical technologists, and other OR team members.
• Perform and document required surgical counts according to facility policy.
• Monitor patient safety throughout the procedure.
• Document intraoperative nursing care accurately and completely.
• Respond quickly to unexpected surgical or anesthesia-related emergencies.

PACU / Post-Anesthesia Care

• Receive patients following surgery and anesthesia.
• Perform immediate postoperative assessments.
• Monitor airway, breathing, circulation, neurological status, vital signs, pain, and surgical sites.
• Recognize and respond to postoperative complications.
• Manage pain, nausea, and other postoperative symptoms according to orders and clinical protocols.
• Administer medications and IV therapies as required.
• Monitor patients for anesthesia-related complications.
• Determine readiness for discharge or transfer based on established recovery criteria.
• Provide postoperative instructions and patient education.
• Communicate effectively during handoffs to inpatient units, outpatient departments, or discharge staff.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must have:

• Active Registered Nurse (RN) license in Colorado
• Minimum 6 years of professional RN experience
• Demonstrated experience in all three required areas:

o Pre-Op

o Operating Room / Circulator

o PACU

• Strong perioperative nursing background
• Current ACLS – Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
• Ability to independently manage perioperative patients
• Ability to participate in weekend call coverage
• Ability to remain beyond scheduled hours when case volume requires

Candidates without experience in all three areas—Pre-Op, OR Circulation, and PACU—will not meet the core requirements of this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least 3 years of recent combined Pre-Op, OR, and PACU experience
• CNOR – Certified Nurse Operating Room certification
• Previous scrub experience
• Previous contract or travel nursing experience
• Experience working in an acute-care surgical environment
• Experience supporting multiple surgical specialties
• Strong knowledge of perioperative standards and surgical safety procedures

Key Clinical Skills

Strong candidates should be comfortable with:

• Preoperative assessments
• Patient preparation for surgery
• IV access and medication administration
• Operating Room circulation
• Surgical time-outs
• Sterile technique
• Surgical counts
• Patient positioning
• Intraoperative documentation
• PACU assessments
• Airway monitoring
• Post-anesthesia recovery
• Pain management
• Postoperative complication recognition
• Emergency response
• Patient and family education
• Interdisciplinary communication
• Surgical patient handoffs

Schedule Requirements

• Day Shift
• Monday through Friday
• 6:30 AM – 2:30 PM
• 40 hours per week
• Some weekend call coverage is required
• Candidates may occasionally need to stay beyond the scheduled shift during high surgical case-volume days.

Schedule flexibility is important for this assignment because surgical procedures and recovery needs may extend beyond normal operating hours.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is an experienced perioperative RN who can seamlessly transition between Pre-Op, the Operating Room, and PACU while maintaining high standards of patient safety and clinical care.

You should be comfortable working independently, prioritizing multiple responsibilities, communicating effectively with surgeons and anesthesia teams, and responding quickly when patient conditions change.

This opportunity may be a strong fit for professionals currently working as a:

• Perioperative RN
• OR Circulator RN
• Operating Room RN
• Pre-Op RN
• PACU RN
• Surgical Services RN
• Perianesthesia RN
• Pre-Op/PACU RN

Equal Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer and consider qualified applicants based on experience, education, licensure, certifications, clinical skills, and the requirements of the position.