OR RN Circulator

Description The Operating Room RN Circulator provides professional nursing care to patients undergoing surgical procedures. As the patient’s advocate in the operating room, the Circulator manages the overall nursing care in the OR, ensures a safe and sterile environment, coordinates the surgical team, and maintains accountability for supplies, equipment, and documentation. This role requires versatility, strong clinical judgment, and the ability to work effectively in a hospital environment with limited resources and frequent on-call demands.

Key Responsibilities Patient Advocacy & Safety

• Verify patient identity, surgical site, consent, and history. Perform preoperative assessments, participate in time-out procedures, and advocate for the anesthetized patient throughout the perioperative phase.
• Operating
• Room
• Management: Prepare the OR suite with necessary equipment, supplies, and instruments prior to procedures. Anticipate and respond to the needs of the surgical team. Monitor and maintain aseptic/sterile technique and report any breaks in technique.
• Intraoperative
• Care: Manage non-sterile aspects of the procedure, including opening sterile supplies, handling specimens, documenting intraoperative events, and coordinating with anesthesia, surgeons, and scrub personnel. Account for all sponges, sharps, and instruments (surgical counts).
• Patient
• Monitoring: Continuously assess patient status, vital signs, and physiological responses. Collaborate with anesthesia providers to ensure patient stability. Provide comfort measures and maintain a safe physical environment.

Documentation

Requirements

Education: Graduate of an accredited Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program (BSN preferred). A current nursing compact license is accepted as well. Licensure & Certifications: Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in [State]. Compact nursing license may be substituted for a NM nursing license. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (AHA) required. Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) required (or obtain within 6 months). Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) preferred or required based on services. CNOR (Certified Nurse Operating Room) preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 1–2 years of Operating Room experience as a Circulator strongly preferred. Experience in a Critical Access Hospital, rural, or small facility is a plus. General surgery, orthopedics, OB/GYN, endoscopy, and minor trauma experience preferred.
• Knowledge,
• Skills &
• Abilities: Strong knowledge of surgical procedures, aseptic technique, and perioperative nursing standards. Excellent communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision in a fast-paced, high-stress environment. Detail-oriented with strong organizational and documentation skills. Commitment to patient safety and teamwork in a collaborative, rural healthcare setting. Proficiency with electronic medical records.