SummaryThe Perioperative Operating Room (OR) Registered Nurse (RN) is accountable for patient outcomes resulting from the nursing care for the patient undergoing a surgical/invasive procedure. The OR RN plans, directs, and coordinates the care of every patient undergoing operative and other invasive procedures, taking into consideration respect for the individual and recognition of the important contribution that each team member makes to the patient's well-being.
DutiesHelp
The Operating Room Perioperative Registered Nurse assumes the following roles and responsibilities:
1. Functions in the role of circulator, scrub, pre-op holding, OR/SPS liaison, and charge nurse. Effectively plans/coordinates patient treatment, flow, and throughput with daily staffing resources; makes assignments and directs staff activities based on patient needs, acuity, staff competency and skill-mix.
2. Provides 1:1 patient care and competently manages patients with complex diagnosis requiring surgical intervention.
3. Manages critically ill patients where anesthesia or moderate sedation is needed or used.
4. Supervises allied health care providers and support personnel with appropriate authority.
5. Reviews the qualifications and competence of privileged providers/staff who provide patient care services.
6. Applies the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation) to all aspects of patient care.
7. Performs duties of Service Leader/Alternate Service Leader as assigned with a comprehensive understanding of the assigned specialty.
8. Participates in the orientation of new personnel, assists staff in development of scrubbing and circulating skills to provide an optimal care environment for the patient.
9. Participates in training for self and others for professional development activities aligned with VA mission, goals, and objectives.
10.Demonstrates an ability to be flexible, organized and function under stressful situations, adjusts to the uneven workflow and changing priorities of the surgical suite.
11.Safely and effectively participates in the resuscitation of a patient during a code blue or rapid response situation, including the use of the biphasic defibrillator, when needed.
12. Handles multiple projects and duties simultaneously, prioritizing as needed. Identifies potential and actual problems involving resources and/or safety.
13.Inventories and reviews the surgical case cart contents with the selected surgeon's preference card, prior to the surgical huddle and/or surgical block huddle.
14.Participates in the Pre-Op Briefing "Huddle."
15.Communicates and anticipates the needs of the surgical team members (surgeons, anesthesia, residents, surgical technologists, health techs, anesthesia techs, etc.).
16.Communicates with Escort service and the Blood Bank for delivery, storage and return of blood and blood products.
17.Assures emergency equipment and supplies are always available.
18. Ensures detailed turnover with relief personnel for breaks, lunch relief and end of shift relief.
19. Conducts a post-operative debriefing with the attending surgeon at the end of the procedure.
20.Demonstrates competency with urinary catheter insertion and maintenance during procedures.
21. Demonstrates effective interpersonal communication skills and professional behaviors that promote cooperation and teamwork with internal and external customers.
22. Demonstrates leadership in safe work practices.
23. Monitors economic use of supplies and equipment.
24. Checks the autonomic dysreflexia kit, crash cart, defibrillators, and temperature and humidity of rooms where reusable medical equipment is stored as assigned.
25. Participates in shared governance, team meetings, and process improvement activities, monitors results, and advocates for self and staff compliance to regulatory requirements.
26. Uses knowledge and demonstrates leadership in using resources (services, equipment, and supplies) in collaboration with other departments and Nurse Managers to improve quality of patient care.
27. Actively participates in at least one unit based, nursing, or hospital-wide committee.
28. Demonstrates ability to utilize computer systems in the performance of daily duties.
29. Submits timely (within 24 hours) JPSR's in an SBAR format and notifies supervisor and provides details of JPSR.
30. Provides constructive and timely input on performance appraisals.
31. Achieves or maintains certification in perioperative nursing.
32. Performs other duties as assigned.
VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards
Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards
Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory
Work Schedule: Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Available
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Available
RequirementsHelp
Conditions of employment- U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
QualificationsBasic Requirements:
- English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
- Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6); OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD).
- Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.)
NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification.
Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13070868.
Grade/LevelScopeEducationNurse I, Level I
Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies.
An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required.
Nurse I, Level II
Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex.
An ADN or Diploma in Nursing
AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;
OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required.
Nurse I, Level III
Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations.
An ADN or Diploma in Nursing
AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2;
OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2;
OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience;
OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience.
Nurse II
Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others.
A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3;
OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3;
OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3;
OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience;
OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience.
Nurse III
Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting.
MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III;
OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III;
OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III;
OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III.
*Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.
Preferred Experience: Current BLS required ACLS optional BSN preferred, if AND prefer if candidate is enrolled in BSN program or bridge program. Minimum 2 years current Operating Room experience in circulating complex cases, scrubbing experience preferred. RN can circulate complex surgical procedures: Orthopedic total joint cases; robotic procedures; spinal fusions, neurosurgery, gynecology, urology, head and neck, vascular and cardiac surgery. Prefer main hospital experience. AORN Specialty certification (CNOR) preferred.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: In accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Heavy Lifting and Carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling, Pushing, Walking, Standing, Kneeling, Repeated bending, Keyboarding, Viewing computer screen (8 - 12 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands and legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); and Emotional/Mental stability.
Additional informationThis job opportunity announcemen
