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Job Title:

Circulating Nurse - Surgical

Department:

OR

Reports To:

Director of Surgical Services

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Revision Date

12/12/2025

 

Position Summary:

Addresses the psychosocial, physical and general aspects of care related to the surgical environment.  Communicates with surgeon and anesthesiologist continuously and as needed about patient condition.  Assists with the maintenance of surgical equipment and inventory.  Assesses operating room for equipment functioning and readiness, obtains supplies for individual cases and ensures all appropriate needs of surgical operating team are met.  Monitors, positions and assists patient during procedure.

 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

 

• • • • Ensures the Pre-op Checklist is complete (History & Physical present, informed consent signed, test results present, surgical site identified, etc.) before the patient is taken into the surgical suite.
      • Consistently provides patient explanations and verbal reassurances.
      • Is consistently ready and prepared for assigned cases, ensuring patients are in the holding area 30 minutes before the scheduled time.
      • Demonstrates knowledge of anesthetic drugs, actions, and side effects.
      • Carries out established techniques for the safe administration of medications and fluids, per hospital policies and procedures.
      • Protects patients' sensitivities and rights to privacy.
      • Positions patients safely and pads/protects bony prominences.
      • Preps and drapes patients correctly for all procedures.
      • Carries out medical and surgical asepsis during all procedures.
      • Directs and assists in the maintenance and handling of special equipment and instruments.
      • Adapts nursing procedures to meet the treatment needs of individual pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
      • Identifies physical symptoms and changes, taking appropriate actions promptly.
      • Assessment and reassessment of the patient is clearly and concisely communicated in charting. Documentation meets current standards, policies, and procedures and is completed within the shift.
      • Effectively communicates with the physician to account for all sponges, needles, and instruments during and after the procedure, documenting in the appropriate area.
      • Communicates Clinical Laboratory/Imaging Services reports to the surgeon during the procedure.
      • Establishes and maintains effective communication and good working relationships with co-workers for the patient's benefit.
      • Gives a thorough report of the patient's intra-operative condition to the PACU nurse.
      • Is able to open sterile supplies and set up for the procedure.
      • Demonstrates thorough knowledge of the location, care, and operation of all surgical equipment.
      • Accurately records, handles, and labels specimens.
      • Demonstrates competence in preparing and cleaning OR suites before and between cases and after the terminal case, based on the patient's infection class.
      • Performs a time-out prior to the start of the surgical case.
      • Revises the physician's preference cards and communicates changes to appropriate personnel.
      • Will rotate with taking on-call.
      • There will be situations where employees will have to stay late to complete a case.
      • Perform other duties as assigned.

Safety/Infection Control:

• • • • Demonstrate knowledge of and adhere to regulations and policies and procedures pertaining to safety, emergency preparedness, infection control, OSHA, fire safety and hazardous materials

Performance Improvement:

• • • • Participate in performance improvement activities as necessary

Customer Service:

• • • • Maintain confidentiality of patient related issues and adhering to all HIPAA rules and regulations.
      • Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills
      • Treat all patients, visitors, and staff members fairly and with respect
      • Utilize effective communication methods and skills
      • Explain all procedures, treatments, and care while remaining aware of language barriers
      • Able to perform care in non-judgmental manner and recognize discrepancies between patient and personal beliefs

Hospital Policy:

• • • • Ensure personal appearance is business casual and professional at all times
      • Responsible for wearing identification badge at all times which must be visible and above the waistline
      • Attend all required meetings and in-service education
      • Remain flexible in staffing patterns and resolution of staffing conflicts; participates in temporary assignments
      • Compliance with attendance standards
      • Demonstrate flexibility when changes in assignments are necessary

Qualifications:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• • • • Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
      • Current Registered Nurse licensure in the State of Texas.
      • Minimum of one (1) year work experience in the operating room.
      • Maintains professional growth and development though seminars, workshops, and professional affiliation to keep abreast of the latest trends in the field of  expertise
      • Completes annual educational requirements
      • Maintains and demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and skills necessary to provide age appropriate care to the population served. Able to interpret data about the patient’s status in order to identify each patient’s age specific needs and provide care needed by the patient group

LANGUAGE/MATH/REASONING ABILITY

• • • • Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization
      • Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance
      • Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations

CERTIFICATE/LICENSES

• • • • BLS
      • ACLS will need to be obtained 30 day from date of hire

COMPETENCIES

• • • Professional Maturity: The ability to separate emotional feelings from the real issues at hand
    • Responsibility: The ability to accept choices you have made and the results they have led to
    • Communication: The ability to write and speak effectively; actively listens to others, and give feedback
    • Flexibility: Demonstrate responsiveness and adaptability following change initiatives
    • Intelligence: Understand information and apply new knowledge
    • Energetic: Exhibits high levels of energy and enthusiasm
    • Organized: Efficient in structuring tasks to be accomplished
    • Computer Savvy: The ability to use technology efficiently and effectively
    • Customer Service: The ability to enhance customer satisfaction
    • Job Knowledge/Technical Knowledge: Knowledgeable of current role and technical systems, and the impact it has on the organization
    • Integrity and Respect: Demonstrates upmost level of integrity
    • Interpersonal Communication: Writes and speaks effectively based on the psychological, relational, situation, environmental and cultural dynamics within the situation
    • Collaboration and Partnership: Encourages participation from team members
    • Manages Change: Demonstrates flexibility with changing environments
    • Problem Solving: Resolve issues in a timely manner
    • Attention to Detail: Follows procedures to ensure entry of data
    • Organization: Uses time efficiently by prioritizing and planning work activities
    • Judgment: Ability to make independent decisions
    • Teamwork: Works with others to accomplish objectives and shows support for decisions
    • Quality: Sets high standards to ensure quality in work performed
    • Accountability: Takes responsibility for adhering to all company policies, procures, and performance expectations

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• • • The physical demands for this position include: adequate vision, hearing, and repetitive motion
    • Light physical activity performing non-strenuous daily activities of an administrative nature
    • Ascending or descending stairs, ramps and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms
    • Substantial movements (motion) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers in a repetitive manner
    • Bending legs downward and forward by bending leg and spine

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• • • Well-lighted, heated and/or air-conditioned indoor office setting with adequate ventilation