Operating Room Circulator Full-time/Part-time

Provides direct patient care to pediatric through geriatric patient populations. Addresses the psychosocial, physical and general aspects of care related to the surgical environment. Assists with the maintenance of operating room equipment and inventory. Participates in performance improvement activities. Responsible for monitoring patient’s physiological status in the perioperative environment. Communicates with surgeon and anesthesiologist continuously.

General Requirements:
Employee will adhere to dress code, appearance is always neat and clean

Employee will complete successfully all annual education requirements

Employee will maintain all professional/regulatory requirements

Employee will maintain patient confidentiality at all times

Employee will report to work on time and as scheduled, and will complete work within the designated time

Employee will wear identification while on duty

Employee will use computerized punch time system correctly

Employee completes all in-services and returns them in a timely fashion

Employee will attend annual review and department in-services, as scheduled

Employee will make best efforts to attend all staff meetings

Employee will represent Novi Surgery Center in a positive and professional manner

Employee will participate in Performance Improvement and Quality Improvement activities

Employee will comply with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices

Employee will communicate the mission, ethics and goals of Novi Surgery Center

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Competency to assess the physiological health status of the patient

Verify the operative procedure prior to procedure using consent forms, patient statements, and surgeon verification

Note the condition of the skin for rashes, bruises, lesions, and previous incisions

Determine mobility of the body using patient statements, range of motion, and the history and physical

Report deviation of diagnostic studies such as lab or radiology reports

Verify pre-operative vital signs upon admission to surgery: blood pressure, pulse, respirations, pulse oximetry, pain, and temperature

Identify presence of prosthesis such as dentures, pacemaker, and joint prosthesis/implants

Note nutritional status, such as patient has been NPO

Verify allergies to medication, food, or chemicals

Communicate and document physiological data to other members of the surgical and health care team in verbal or written report, including data which might be relevant to discharge planning

Formulate nursing diagnosis based on health data

Competency to establish realistic and attainable goals based on nursing diagnosis and to develop a plan of care based on nursing actions to achieve patient goals

Provide positioning aids during the intraoperative phase to prevent skin breakdown or impairment of the nervous or vascular system

Provide equipment to ensure patient safety in regard to electrosurgery

Coordinate use of supplies and equipment for intraoperative care

Organize nursing activities in logical sequence, prioritizing nursing actions

Coordinate patient care needs with other members of the surgical and health care team

Assign activities to appropriate personnel based on their qualifications and patient needs

Maintain required certifications (BLS/ACLS) and perform effectively in emergency situations

Communicate and document patient’s plan of care to other members of the surgical and health care team in verbal and written report, including that which might be relevant to discharge planning

Competency to create and maintain a sterile field

Use principles of aseptic technique in varying situations, such as infection control practices and skin preps

Demonstrate knowledge of clean versus sterile

Initiate corrective action when breaks in technique occur

Maintain sterility while opening sterile items for procedure, including pouring solutions

Inspect sterile items for integrity of package, sterile indicators, and/or outdate prior to delivery to the field

Adhere to dress code policy for peri-operative areas

Monitor suite to ensure that movement around the sterile field is appropriate at all times

Communicate and document maintenance of and/or compromise of sterile field

Competency to provide equipment and supplies based on patient needs

Anticipate needed equipment and supplies, utilizing the surgeon preference card

Select equipment and supplies in an organized, timely, and cost-effective manner throughout the peri-operative phase

Assure all equipment is functioning before use

Operate mechanical, electrical, and powered equipment according to manufacturer’s instructions and Novi Surgery Center policy

Remove malfunctioning equipment from service, tag it appropriate, and initiate repair

Use supplies judiciously and in a cost-effective manner

Communicate and document provision of equipment and supplies

Competency to perform sponge, sharps, and instrument counts according to Novi Surgery Center policy

Initiate corrective action when count is incorrect

Communicate and document results of counts according to policy

Competency to administer drugs and solutions, as prescribed

Administer medications to the sterile field according to policy

Communicate and document administration of medications and solutions according to policy

Competency to physiologically monitor the patient during the peri-operative phase

Assist/monitor physical symptoms, behavioral changes, intake and output, and vital signs

Initiate nursing actions or obtain physician orders as appropriate, based on interpretation of physiologic data/changes

Communicate and document patient’s physiological response to other members of the surgical and health care team in verbal or written report, including that which might be relevant for discharge planning

Competency to monitor and control the environment

Control the environment to provide ultimate patient care, such as temperature of room, sensory stimuli, traffic, and noise level

Adhere to all safety policies and procedures

Maintain appropriate traffic pattern in the peri-operative environment

Adhere to sanitation policies for infection control including confining and containing waste for appropriate disposal

Communicate and document environmental controls and breaks in technique promptly and appropriately

Competency to respect patient’s rights

Demonstrate awareness and practice according to Patient’s Bill of Rights and Novi Surgery Center policy

Provide for patient safety and maintain patient confidentiality

Communicate and document provision of patient rights, as appropriate

Competency to evaluate patients

Develop outcome criteria measures degree of achievement

Communicate and document degree of goal achievement to other members of the surgical and health care team in verbal and written report, including that which might be relevant to discharge planning

In keeping with the teamwork philosophy, act as a resource person for other staff

Adhere to OSHA guidelines for Universal Precautions for exposure to blood and body fluids, using appropriate personal protective equipment and sharps handling

Demonstrate flexibility in meeting the needs of Novi Surgery Center, including cross-training for all nursing functions and being flexible with shift times

Follow AORN/ASPAN/APIC recommended practices and Novi Surgery Center policy at all times

Perform effectively in emergency situations

Professional/Regulatory Requirements:
Graduate of an accredited school of nursing

Current Registered Nurse licensure in the State of Michigan

Current BLS and ACLS certification (or within six months of hire)

Follows AORN, ASPAN, & APIC standards

Minimum of one (1) year work experience in an operating room

Prior knowledge working with sterile instrumentation and sterile fields

Language Skills:
Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

Other Skills:
Basic computer knowledge

Physical Requirements:
Transferring a patient to and from and repositioning a patient on an OR Table

Lifting and holding patients’ extremities

Standing for long periods of time and sustaining awkward positions

Lifting and moving equipment

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising patient care