Fulltime Surgery Registered Nurse (RN)

Department: Surgical Services: Pre-op, Post-op, PACU, Circulator Nursing

Hours: Fulltime (1.0 FTE)

Description:

Position Overview:

The Surgery RN is responsible for providing comprehensive perioperative nursing care to surgical patients across all age groups — from neonates to geriatric. The RN collaborates with the surgical team to ensure patient safety, proper technique, and optimal surgical outcomes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Nursing Process

• Provide pre-operative education to patients and families.
• Explain surgical principles, goals, and instructions.
• Utilize individualized teaching strategies.
• Confirm patient identity, chart completeness, and procedure site.
• Supervise care and staff in the assigned operating room.
• Assist the surgeon and anesthesia team during procedures.
• Maintain and ensure sterile technique and best practices.
• Report patient condition changes promptly.
• Participate in evaluating and improving standards of patient care.
• Identify and address inappropriate care practices.
• Mentor and supervise assigned personnel.
• Communicate effectively with staff and patients.
• Engage in ongoing professional education and development.
• Monitor and intervene in environmental safety concerns.
• Evaluate and suggest improvements for OR procedures, supplies, and equipment.
• Stay current with trends in perioperative nursing.

Same Day Surgery (SDS)

• Ensure completion of nursing assessments and consent forms.
• Confirm all pre-op orders are completed.
• Administer and document medications.
• Initiate IV lines and fulfill pre-op requirements.
• Document vital signs and pre-op data in the patient chart.
• Alert anesthesia and surgeons of abnormal pre-op results (e.g., labs, vitals, EKG).
• Complete discharge processes as per surgeon’s orders.
• Deliver clear discharge instructions and verify patient understanding.

Circulating Nurse Duties

• Prepare OR using surgeon preference cards.
• Assess and meet patient’s physical, emotional, and safety needs.
• Lead and document surgical time-out.
• Complete patient charting and OR records.
• Perform counts of sponges, sharps, and instruments with the scrub nurse.
• Label and dispatch specimens correctly.
• Document all medications used intraoperatively.
• Support scrub nurse during procedures.
• Provide accurate post-op handoff to PACU nurse.

Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

• Set up recovery area for incoming patients.
• Monitor patients during anesthesia recovery.
• Record vital signs and assess post-anesthesia condition.
• Address symptoms like pain or nausea.
• Communicate patient status to surgeon and anesthesia provider.
• Administer post-op medications per orders.
• Enter vital data into the patient record.
• Provide thorough hand-off reports.

General RN Responsibilities

• Report changes and updates in OR activity to appropriate team members.
• Notify staff of surgery schedule changes.
• Prepare surgical suites and equipment for upcoming procedures.
• Transport patients when available.
• Demonstrate proper use of standard precautions.
• Uphold infection control practices and hospital protocols.

Minimum Education and/or Experience Required:

• Associate Degree in Nursing (minimum)
• Minimum one (1) year surgery experience preferred.
• Two (2) years acute care hospital nursing experience required.

Additional Qualifications:

• Sound understanding of nursing theory and evidence-based practice
• Ability to make clinical judgments and assume responsibility
• Strong computer and documentation skills
• Legible handwriting and ability to print clearly
• Mandatory Reporter certified
• Team-oriented with effective communication skills
• Strong organizational and time management abilities
• Ability to handle difficult or emotional situations with tact and composure

Licensure/Certification Required:

• Current RN license in the State of Iowa
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Completion of Rhythm Interpretation Class
• IV Therapy Training

Physical/Cognitive Requirements:

• Sit: Frequent
• Stand: Frequent
• Walk: Frequent
• Lift:

+ 10 pounds Frequent

+ 25 pounds: Occasionally

+ 50 pounds*: Occasionally

+ 75 pounds*: Occasionally

+ Greater than 100 pounds*: Occasionally

• Carry:

+ 10 pounds: Frequent

+ 25 pounds: Occasionally

+ 50 pounds*: Occasionally

+ 75 pounds*: Occasionally

+ Greater than 100 pounds*: Occasionally

• Push/Pull:

+ 10 pounds: Frequent

+ 25 pounds: Occasionally

+ 50 pounds*: Occasionally

+ 75 pounds*: Occasionally

+ Greater than 100 pounds*: Occasionally

• Squat/Kneel/Crouch: Frequent
• Climb: Occasionally
• Balance: Frequent
• Twist: Frequent
• Bend/Stoop: Frequent
• Crawl: Occasionally
• Grasp/Grip: Frequent
• Talk: Frequent
• Hear: Frequent
• See: Constant
• Anything greater than 50 pounds- assist of two or more, or mechanical lift are required.

Environmental Factors:

• Exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids
• Well-illuminated, climate-controlled environment
• Moderate noise level with occasional equipment operation
• Physical stamina for long periods of standing and patient care

Organizational Relationships: Member of surgical services team

Reports to: Surgical Services Director

Employees supervised: None