Description
Provide perioperative nursing care before, during, and after surgical procedures. Assess patients, develop and implement OR care plans, maintain accurate records, and ensure a sterile, safe environment. Coordinate with surgeons and anesthesia, manage instruments and equipment, advocate for patient safety, and administer ordered medications while monitoring responses. Active RN license required; perioperative experience or certification (e.g., CNOR) preferred.
- • Maintain accurate, detailed perioperative documentation and records.
- • Conduct and document preoperative assessments, including verification of identity, procedure, site, and consents.
- • Record baseline and intraoperative vital signs and patient information.
- • Monitor, record, and report patient status and responses to anesthesia and surgery.
- • Develop, implement, and modify individualized perioperative nursing care plans.
- • Coordinate with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and the surgical team to plan, implement, and evaluate care.
- • Prepare and maintain the operating room, ensuring availability and sterility of instruments, equipment, and supplies.
- • Establish and maintain aseptic technique; monitor the sterile field and room traffic.
- • Perform instrument, sponge, and sharp counts with scrub personnel and reconcile discrepancies.
- • Position and prep patients safely using appropriate devices and skin prep solutions; protect pressure points and nerves.
- • Assist with induction, maintenance, and emergence from anesthesia; communicate patient changes to anesthesia and the surgeon.
- • Administer medications, irrigation solutions, and blood products per provider orders and policy; monitor for reactions.
- • Handle, label, and transport specimens and implants according to protocol.
- • Operate and troubleshoot OR equipment such as electrosurgical units, suction, and video systems.
- • Implement and document surgical safety checklists, time-outs, and sign-outs.
- • Monitor and maintain patient hemodynamic stability, fluid balance, and temperature; apply DVT prophylaxis and warming devices.
- • Apply and secure surgical dressings, drains, and devices as ordered.
- • Enforce infection prevention and standard precautions; collaborate with infection control on practices and audits.
- • Direct or supervise surgical technologists and support staff; ensure adherence to perioperative standards.
- • Precept new staff and students; provide ongoing team education and skills training.
- • Coordinate handoffs to PACU/ICU and other services using structured communication tools.
- • Manage room turnover, restocking, and equipment readiness to optimize throughput.
- • Participate in quality improvement, safety reporting, and regulatory compliance activities.
- • Participate in call coverage and respond to emergent or trauma cases.
- • Perform approved point-of-care tests and communicate results per policy.
- • Refer patients and families to appropriate resources for perioperative education when indicated.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
