Summary

The Nurse Perioperative Operating Room (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 well-being.

Qualifications

Basic 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
• Grade 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/12986317
• 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
• Preferred experiences: BLS required ACLS optional BSN preferred - Minimum 2 years current Operating Room experience in circulating complex cases - scrubbing experience preferred
• RN can circulate complex surgical procedures: Orthopedic total joint cases
• robotic procedures
• spinal fusions - neurosurgery - gynecology - urology - head and neck - vascular and cardiac surgery
• AORN Specialty certification (CNOR) preferred
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: In accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 5019Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting and Carrying (45 lbs
• and over)
• Straight Pulling - Pushing - Walking - Standing - Kneeling - Repeated bending - Keyboarding - Viewing computer screen (8 - 12 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands and legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other
• Depth perception
• Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• and Emotional/Mental stability.

Duties

• The Perioperative Registered Nurse (RN) position - works in the Operating Room for Nursing and Patient Care Services - in the main hospital in San Diego - CA
• The RN uses the nursing process to develop individualized plans of care and to coordinate and deliver care to patients undergoing surgical procedures in an operating room setting
• RN has experience as a perioperative nurse in both circulating and scrub role
• Procedures are complex and not clinic based types of procedures
• The Perioperative RN identifies patient needs - sets goals with patients - and implements nursing interventions and activities to achieve optimal patient outcomes
• Addresses the physiological - psychological - socio-cultural - and spiritual responses of patients
• Uses standards - knowledge - judgment - and skills based on scientific principles
• Uses evidence as the foundation for practice
• Assumes responsibility for lifelong learning and accountable for adhering to established policies and procedures
• This RN reports directly to the Operating Room (OR) Nurse Manager
• Roles and responsibilities: Functions in the role of circulator - scrub - pre-op holding - OR/SPS liaison - and/or charge nurse.- Participates in ongoing quality improvement workplace activities as appropriate to the individual's position - education - and practice environment
• Performs on-call duties
• Applies the nursing process (assessment - diagnosis - outcome identification - planning - implementation - and evaluation) to all aspects of patient care
• Participates in the Pre-Op Briefing \"Huddle\"
• Confirms availability of implants and special equipment prior to patient entering OR
• Participates in the pre-op \"Time Out\"
• Communicates and anticipates the needs of the surgical team members (surgeons - anesthesia - residents - surgical technologists - etc.)
• Restrings instrumentation and pre-cleans Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) according to standard operating procedures
• Checks the autonomic dysreflexia kit - crash cart - defibrillators - and temperature and humidity of rooms where sterile equipment is stored
• Communicates with Escort and the Blood Bank for delivery - storage and return of blood and blood products
• Performs duties of Service Leader/Alternate such as ordering supplies - instrumentation - etc
• Strives to achieve certification in perioperative nursing
• Maintains current knowledge of and adheres to AORN standards - recommended practices - guidelines - and position statements
• Supervises allied health care providers and support personnel with appropriate authority
• Performs other duties as assigned by the OR Nurse Manager
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Operating Room Schedule: 0630-1900 Monday - Friday
• Shift for vacancy will be for 8 or 10-hour shifts: 0830-1700
• 0830-1900
• 1030-1900
• May need to rotate to 0630-1500
• 0630-1700 and other shifts as assigned
• On Call required with 60 minutes response time to VA La Jolla facility
• 12-24 hours duty
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized