Circulating Registered Nurse

Summary: The circulating nurse is responsible for patient safety and nursing care of the

patient while being transferred to and from the operating room and while in the operating

suite.

• Utilizes specialized nursing knowledge and discriminative judgement while administering

direct or indirect patient care.

• Visits the patient prior to surgery to alleviate their fears and to perform a nursing assessment

of potential patient problems.

• Assists in the proper care and treatment of instruments and supplies including sterilization

and storage where appropriate. Wrapping equipment for sterilizing and running the sterilizer

• Assists in carrying out safe aseptic techniques and procedures as adopted by the department

and aided by their knowledge of basic science.

• Cleaning and stocking the operating rooms at the end of the day.
• Knowing where all supplies are kept in the OR area and the storage area.
• Putting away laundry and supplies
• Assists in preparing the operating room for each case in the room.
• Knowledge of setting up instrument trays.
• Assists anesthesia personnel with the intubation/extubating of patients, the administration

of anesthetic blocks, and the thermo-regulation of the patient.

• Assumes the responsibility for the intraoperative patient safety related to positioning

activities, the use of equipment, and the use of chemicals and solutions.

• All other assigned duties as needed.

Additional Responsibilities

• Checks room for needed supplies and prepares room for specific patient and procedure.
• Transports patient to the operating room and checks the patient’s record for appropriate

pre-operative preparation and procedure (i.e. EKG, consents, medication lists, and medical

history)

• Responsible for operating room records, implant cards, and patient chart
• Responsible for appropriate surgical preparation. (i.e. EKG monitors, BP cuffs, O2 Stat, and

prep)

• Knowledge of and assistance with the proper safe positioning of the patient
• Responsible for the sponge, needle and instrument count and documentation
• Receives and documents all physicians’ orders.
• Obtains and records all medication administered during surgery.
• Inform the Clinical Nurse Manager what medications are needed.
• Inform the Clinical Nurse Manager of what supplies are needed each week.
• Secures and checks the emergency equipment and supplies monthly and as needed.
• Provides assistance to physicians and anesthesia personnel as needed.
• Controls the general “tone” of the operating room.
• Sets up the operating room with necessary equipment and packs.
• Responsible with the anesthesia personnel for narcotic counts.
• Works as a member of the surgical team efficiently during the procedure.

Requirements

Education: Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing. Currently licensed as a Registered

Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the state of Indiana

Experience: Healthcare experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience in outpatient healthcare operations or an ambulatory surgery center setting

preferred. Experience in orthopedic surgery is desirable.

Must be knowledgeable in the operation of all facility equipment and technology, including but

not limited to C-arm, patient monitors, defibrillators, medical recording devices and computers,

and all emergency equipment.

Requirements: The physical demands and work environment characteristics

described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the

essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals

with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Daily work includes desk and interaction with patients, staff and physicians. The position may

require travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community. Minimal

travel to meetings may be required as well.

The position provides direct patient care with appropriate license that regularly involves heavy

lifting and moving of patients of up to 200 lbs and assisting with ambulation. Coworkers may

provide assistance. The position may require frequent prolonged periods of standing and the

employee must be able to bend over.

The work environment is characteristic of a health care facility with air temperature control and

moderate noise levels. May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases/materials.