Staff RN (Surgical Services)

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of the Director of Surgical Services, the Staff Registered Nurse (RN) provides professional nursing care to patients undergoing surgical and invasive procedures. This role delivers patient-centered perioperative care across assigned phases, including pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-anesthesia recovery, using the nursing process of assessment, planning, implementation, coordination, and evaluation. The Staff RN collaborates with surgeons, anesthesia providers, surgical technologists, ancillary departments, patients, and families to support safe, effective care, positive clinical outcomes, regulatory compliance, and excellent customer service. Responsibilities are carried out in accordance with physician orders, nursing standards of practice, TJC standards, federal, state, and local requirements, and organizational and departmental policies. The position also supports quality improvement, infection prevention, patient education, confidentiality, and the efficient daily operation of Surgical Services. The role requires sound clinical judgment, initiative, adaptability, and the ability to function effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE

Patient Care and Clinical Practice

• Applies the nursing process to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate safe, individualized care for surgical services patients throughout the pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-anesthesia recovery phases.
• Performs comprehensive patient assessments, including review of medical history, allergies, laboratory and diagnostic results, physician orders, consents, NPO status, and readiness for surgery.
• Provides direct and indirect nursing care, including patient preparation, positioning, skin preparation, intravenous access, medication administration, blood and blood product administration, treatments, wound care, dressings, and assistance with anesthesia or moderate sedation, as appropriate.
• Monitors patient condition before, during, and after procedures, including airway, circulation, neurological status, pain, cardiac rhythm, hemodynamic status, and response to anesthesia or treatment; promptly reports changes or concerns.
• Performs circulating, scrub, pre-operative, and PACU nursing responsibilities as assigned and within the scope of practice while anticipating procedural needs and supporting efficient surgical workflow.

Safety, Sterile Technique, and Procedural Support

• Establishes, maintains, and monitors the sterile field using proper sterile technique and infection prevention practices.
• Participates in Universal Protocol, patient identification, surgical site verification, Time-Out processes, surgical counts, and other patient safety initiatives.
• Handles, labels, prepares, and documents specimens accurately in accordance with policy and procedural requirements.
• Assists with case posting, procedure scheduling information, and notification of anesthesia or other team members as needed to support surgical operations.

Communication, Education, and Documentation

• Provides patient and family education regarding pre-operative preparation, post-operative care, discharge instructions, and follow-up needs.
• Communicates complete and accurate handoff reports when transferring or relinquishing patient care to another nurse, department, or level of care.
• Completes accurate, timely, and thorough documentation of assessments, interventions, medications, intraoperative activities, recovery status, education, handoffs, and other required patient care information.
• Demonstrates professional, respectful, and compassionate communication with patients, families, physicians, coworkers, and interdisciplinary team members to promote a positive patient experience.

Equipment, Supplies, and Environment of Care

• Cleans, stocks, maintains, and prepares surgical suites, recovery areas, central processing supplies, sterile trays, instruments, and related equipment; monitors stock levels and expiration dates.
• Operates and documents use of sterilization equipment and processes, including autoclave and Steris equipment, biological testing, and related quality control records in accordance with policy.
• Identifies and reports equipment needs, supply needs, maintenance concerns, hazardous conditions, variances, incidents, near misses, and safety concerns to the appropriate leader or department promptly.

Compliance, Professional Development, and Team Support

• Maintains compliance with infection control, OSHA, HIPAA, Joint Commission, CMS, federal and state regulations, and organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
• Participates in departmental meetings, huddles, quality improvement activities, continuing education, mandatory training, annual competencies, and professional development activities.
• Maintains required licensure, certifications, competencies, and clinical knowledge necessary to safely perform assigned surgical services nursing responsibilities.
• Serves as a resource, preceptor, or mentor to new employees, nursing students, or team members as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned within the scope of practice and organizational needs.

Requirements

Minimum Level of Education: Graduation from an accredited registered nursing program is required. An Associate Degree in Nursing is required; a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is preferred.

Formal Training: Requires strong clinical assessment, critical thinking, communication, and customer service skills. Must be knowledgeable in perioperative nursing standards, sterile technique, infection prevention practices, and surgical safety protocols, with the ability to prioritize multiple patient care responsibilities effectively.

Licensure, Certification, Registration: Requires an active, unencumbered Georgia RN license. BLS certification is required, and ACLS and PALS certifications must be obtained within 30 days of hire. CNOR certification is preferred.

Work Experience: Minimum of one (1) year of nursing or related clinical experience required. Previous experience in the operating room, recovery room, procedural area, emergency department, or critical care setting is preferred. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Computer Skills: Must demonstrate proficiency with electronic medical records, clinical documentation systems, scheduling platforms, database applications, data entry software, and other technology tools necessary to support patient care documentation and departmental workflow.