Registered Nurse - Operating Room Circulator

Position Summary

The Registered Nurse – Operating Room Circulator provides professional nursing care to surgical patients in the ambulatory surgery center setting. This role is responsible for coordinating and managing intraoperative patient care, serving as the primary liaison between the patient, anesthesia provider, surgeon, and surgical team.

The Circulator ensures patient safety, regulatory compliance, and adherence to infection prevention and quality standards throughout the perioperative continuum.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Pre-Operative Responsibilities

• Serve as patient advocate throughout the perioperative process.
• Confirm surgical site, procedure, and readiness in collaboration with the surgical team.

Intraoperative (Circulating) Responsibilities

• Coordinate multidisciplinary activities to maintain a safe operative environment.
• Monitor operative schedule to ensure timely and efficient case flow.
• Prepare procedure rooms by assembling supplies, instruments, and equipment
• Verify proper function of equipment prior to case start.
• Assist with safe patient positioning and transport.
• Maintain constant awareness of operative progress and anticipate physician and anesthesia needs.
• Evaluate, observe, and assist with care of patients under anesthesia.
• Maintain working knowledge of cardiac monitoring and arrhythmia recognition.
• Ensure accurate intraoperative documentation per facility standards.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to emergency situations.
• Maintain sterile field integrity and monitor environmental cleanliness.

Post-Operative Responsibilities

• Accompany patient to PACU and provide comprehensive handoff report.

Medication & Inventory Responsibilities

• Restock and maintain supply inventory throughout the facility.
• Monitor medication inventory, including sample cabinets, ensuring removal of expired medications per policy.
• Dispense medications as directed by physicians within scope of licensure.
• Maintain compliance with controlled substance and medication management policies.

General Responsibilities

• Adhere to AAAHC, CMS, and facility policies and procedures.
• Minimize risk of nosocomial infection through strict adherence to infection prevention standards.
• Maintain working knowledge of emergency equipment and participate in drills.
• Identify and report unsafe conditions or practices.
• Participate in quality assurance and quality improvement initiatives.
• Complete required forms and documentation accurately and timely.
• Maintain strict confidentiality in all patient and operational matters.
• Demonstrate professional communication with patients, families, physicians, and staff.
• Maintain flexibility to function throughout the surgery center as needed.
• Participate in orientation, competency validation, continuing education, and in-services.
• Support positive team culture and adaptability to change.
• Perform other duties as assigned within scope of licensure.

Qualifications

Required

• Graduate of an accredited Registered Nurse (RN) program
• Current Idaho RN license in good standing
• Current ACLS certification (or ability to obtain)
• Current BLS certification
• Minimum two years professional nursing experience
• Knowledge of perioperative nursing standards and safe surgical practices
• Ability to respond calmly and effectively in emergency situations
• Strong organizational and communication skills

Preferred

• Prior ambulatory surgery center experience
• Operating room circulating experience

Supervision Received

Director of Nursing or other Registered Nurse (RN) designee – Clinical supervision

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged standing and walking
• Lifting and moving supplies and instrument trays
• Manual dexterity for instrument handling and cleaning
• Physically capable of listening
• Physically capable of reading and reviewing written communications

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person