Operating Room RN

01Basic Requirements

English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program.

Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6); OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program.

Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia.

Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification.

02Preferred Experience

BSN or Higher preferred. Recent experience as an RN in an operating room preferred. Scrub experience preferred. CNOR recognized.

03Grade Determinations

The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13106957.

Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required. Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex.

An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required. Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations.

An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience.

Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others.

A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience.

Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting.

MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.

Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

04Physical Requirements

Walking, bending, stooping, and some lifting in the direct care of patients. There may also be extended periods of sitting. This position also requires that the staff member be able to wear a lead apron for an extended period of time.

The OR RN works with the multidisciplinary surgical team for the coordination of care focused on the patient throughout the continuum of care. Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in the unit/program level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs. The (OR) Registered Nurse (RN) is accountable for patient outcomes resulting from the nursing care for the patient undergoing a surgical/ invasive procedure.

The OR RN plans, directs and coordinates the care of every patient undergoing operative and other invasive procedures, taking into consideration respect for the individual and recognition of the important contribution that each team member makes to the patient's wellbeing. The OR RN is expected to function proficiently in either the circulator or scrub role within the OR and to be competent in all surgical specialties served.

All OR RNs will carry out a range of duties including, but not limited to: circulating cases; scrubbing, at the minimum, cases in their area of specialty; computer charting and ordering; updating surgeon preference cards; preparing cases for the following day, coordinating with vendors and the Perioperative Business Manager to address service specific needs, coordinating with the Perioperative Nurse Educator for staff in services on new procedures and equipment, and other duties as assigned by OR leadership.

The OR RN maintains knowledge of current Association of Peri -Operative Registered Nurses (AORN) Standards, VHA Directives, and facility/service level guidance. The OR RN assures the sterility of the surgical field is maintained and all instrumentation and equipment is used in a safe and efficient manner.

The OR RN protects the patient from injury caused by chemical, electrical, mechanical, and thermal sources, and extraneous objects, performs counting procedures to protect the patient from unintended retained surgical items, participates in the Time Out process to ensure correct site, side, and level, and follow implant and tissue/tissue based product documentation, policy, and procedures.

The OR RN manages the patient's specimens in the appropriate manner, administers medications safely and correctly, performs interventions to maintain the patient's wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline levels, and performs interventions to protect the patient from surgical site infection. The OR RN is responsible for ensuring comprehensive documentation of all care provided during the perioperative experience is timely, complete, and accurate in the electronic health record (EHR).

The OR RN spends time reviewing the patient's history, labs, allergies, and other pertinent information before interviewing the patient in the pre-op area. The OR RN communicates throughout the case with the family or other support person, offering support and information, and documents this in the EHR. The OR RN will be assigned to a surgical specialty as a service coordinator.

As a service coordinator the OR RN will be responsible for working with the other coordinator(s) to ensure all needs for the surgical specialty are being met.

The duties of the service coordinator will include, but are not limited to: communicating with surgical staff for case/patient specific needs, communicating with the sterile processing service (SPS) for instrument needs, coordinating with the Perioperative Business Manager for new equipment or purchases, maintain knowledge of inventory and supplies needed, evaluate par levels annually with logistics, ensure preference cards are evaluated and updated in a timely manner for changes, serve as a resource for staff outside of the specialty during orientation and as needed.

The OR RN is required to be included in the OR on-call rotation to provide patient care for emergency procedures during off tours (nights, weekends, holidays). VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 0645 to 1515. On-Call duties required to include holidays, evenings, nights, and weekends. Telework: Not Authorized Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required