The Surgical Center at Columbia Orthopaedic Group
Every successful procedure depends on a team that is prepared, focused, and committed to excellence. As a Circulating Nurse, you'll play a vital role in advocating for patients, coordinating perioperative care, and supporting the surgical team throughout each procedure.
Why This Role Is Different
This role places you at the center of the surgical team, providing continuous patient advocacy and coordinating care before, during, and after each procedure. Your clinical judgment, attention to detail, and ability to anticipate patient and surgical team needs help create a safe and efficient surgical experience.
You'll work alongside experienced surgeons, anesthesia providers, nurses, and clinical staff in a fast-paced ambulatory surgery center where teamwork, preparation, and patient-centered care make all the difference.
About the Role
The Circulating Nurse provides comprehensive perioperative nursing care while advocating for the individual needs of each patient. This position is responsible for assessing patients, preparing the operating room and surgical supplies, coordinating patient positioning and safety, assisting with anesthesia induction, maintaining accurate documentation, and supporting the surgical team throughout each procedure.
What You Will Do
- Assess and monitor patients' physiologic, psychological, and cognitive status throughout the perioperative experience
- Develop and implement individualized, goal-directed plans of care based on patient needs and expected outcomes
- Prepare the operating room, equipment, anesthesia supplies, and surgical supplies needed for each procedure
- Open sterile packs and supplies and prepare the room according to the surgeon's preference card and procedure requirements
- Position patients safely to provide proper alignment, surgical site exposure, and physical support
- Assist the anesthesia provider with monitoring equipment, including monitor leads, blood pressure cuff, and pulse oximeter placement, and remain with the patient during induction and positioning
- Prepare the patient's operative site while confirming the procedure and reviewing the surgeon's history and physical
- Verify patient records, including consent, history and physical, laboratory results, allergies, and operative site
- Establish priorities of care based on patient needs and available resources, including personnel, equipment, supplies, and time
- Respond efficiently and calmly to emergency situations while following established protocols, notifying appropriate personnel, and documenting events
- Maintain timely, accurate, and concise documentation in the patient record
- Work collaboratively with surgeons, anesthesia providers, nurses, and other members of the healthcare team
- Review and carry out physician orders in an appropriate and professional manner
- Participate in staff meetings, mandatory in-services, and ongoing education
- Maintain required CPR/ACLS certifications and remain current with applicable clinical standards
- Remain flexible and adaptable while supporting new ideas, approaches, and additional duties as needed
Who Thrives in This Role
- You remain calm, focused, and confident in a fast-paced surgical environment
- You are highly organized and able to anticipate the needs of both patients and the surgical team
- You value patient advocacy, safety, and compassionate, individualized care
- You enjoy working collaboratively with physicians, anesthesia providers, nurses, and other clinical team members
- Degree from an accredited nursing program required
- Current Registered Nurse license in the state where the facility is located, in good standing
- Current BLS and ACLS certification required
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience as a staff nurse required