Perioperative RN

PERIOPERATIVE REGISTERED NURSE

Department: Surgery
Reports To: Surgery Manager/CNO
Status: PRN
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY

The Perioperative Registered Nurse provides safe, competent nursing care throughout the perioperative continuum. The RN may function in preoperative care, as a circulating nurse, in PACU/recovery, as charge nurse when assigned, and in the Surgery Clinic. The RN also assists other hospital departments as assigned based on patient care needs, competency, and scope of practice.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides nursing care before, during, and after surgical and procedural services in accordance with hospital policies and professional standards.

• Functions as a circulating RN, including verification of patient, procedure, surgical site, consent, documentation, equipment, supplies, and required safety processes.

• Participates in surgical time-outs, counts, sterile technique, infection prevention, specimen handling, and other perioperative safety practices.

• Provides preoperative care, including assessment, preparation, IV therapy, medication administration, verification of required testing and documentation, and patient education.

• Provides PACU/recovery care within demonstrated competency, including airway and hemodynamic assessment, pain and nausea management, medication administration, and recognition of postoperative complications.

• Assesses patient readiness for progression through recovery and discharge according to established criteria, provider orders, and hospital policy.

• Serves as charge nurse when assigned and assists with patient flow, staffing, scheduling, communication, and department operations.

• Assists in the Surgery Clinic with assessments, procedures, treatments, patient education, documentation, and coordination of care.

• Recognizes changes in patient condition and initiates appropriate interventions and emergency response when indicated.

• Maintains accurate and timely documentation in the electronic medical record.

• Assists with room preparation, cleaning, stocking, equipment, supplies, and overall department readiness.

• Participates in quality improvement, patient safety, regulatory readiness, required education, and competency activities.

• Assists in other hospital departments as assigned based on staffing needs, demonstrated competency, and scope of practice.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.

• Current Registered Nurse license in Arkansas or current multistate privilege to practice in Arkansas.

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.

• Current Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification required.

• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification preferred.

• Previous acute-care nursing experience preferred.

• Previous operating room, perioperative, PACU, or surgical nursing experience strongly preferred.

• Must demonstrate competency in assigned clinical areas before independently performing those responsibilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of nursing principles, perioperative care, infection prevention, medication administration, and patient safety.

• Ability to function effectively in assigned preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative/recovery, and Surgery Clinic roles.

• Ability to recognize and respond appropriately to emergencies and changes in patient condition.

• Effective organizational, prioritization, communication, and teamwork skills.

• Proficiency with electronic medical records and standard computer applications used for communication, documentation, and patient care.

PHYSICAL AND WORK REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and assist with positioning, transferring, and transporting patients.

• Ability to lift, push, pull, and move patients, equipment, and supplies consistent with hospital safety practices.