Registered Nurse Operating Room

Summary

The 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.

Duties

The Operating Room Perioperative Registered Nurse assumes the following roles and responsibilities: 1. Functions in the role of circulator, scrub, pre-op holding, OR/SPS liaison, and charge nurse. Effectively plans/coordinates patient treatment, flow, and throughput with daily staffing resources; makes assignments and directs staff activities based on patient needs, acuity, staff competency and skill-mix. 2. Provides 1:1 patient care and competently manages patients with complex diagnosis requiring surgical intervention. 3. Manages critically ill patients where anesthesia or moderate sedation is needed or used. 4. Supervises allied health care providers and support personnel with appropriate authority. 5. Reviews the qualifications and competence of privileged providers/staff who provide patient care services. 6. Applies the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation) to all aspects of patient care. 7. Performs duties of Service Leader/Alternate Service Leader as assigned with a comprehensive understanding of the assigned specialty. 8. Participates in the orientation of new personnel, assists staff in development of scrubbing and circulating skills to provide an optimal care environment for the patient. 9. Participates in training for self and others for professional development activities aligned with VA mission, goals, and objectives. 10.Demonstrates an ability to be flexible, organized and function under stressful situations, adjusts to the uneven workflow and changing priorities of the surgical suite. 11.Safely and effectively participates in the resuscitation of a patient during a code blue or rapid response situation, including the use of the biphasic defibrillator, when needed. 12. Handles multiple projects and duties simultaneously, prioritizing as needed. Identifies potential and actual problems involving resources and/or safety. 13.Inventories and reviews the surgical case cart contents with the selected surgeon's preference card, prior to the surgical huddle and/or surgical block huddle. 14.Participates in the Pre-Op Briefing "Huddle." 15.Communicates and anticipates the needs of the surgical team members (surgeons, anesthesia, residents, surgical technologists, health techs, anesthesia techs, etc.). 16.Communicates with Escort service and the Blood Bank for delivery, storage and return of blood and blood products. 17.Assures emergency equipment and supplies are always available. 18. Ensures detailed turnover with relief personnel for breaks, lunch relief and end of shift relief. 19. Conducts a post-operative debriefing with the attending surgeon at the end of the procedure. 20.Demonstrates competency with urinary catheter insertion and maintenance during procedures. 21. Demonstrates effective interpersonal communication skills and professional behaviors that promote cooperation and teamwork with internal and external customers. 22. Demonstrates leadership in safe work practices. 23. Monitors economic use of supplies and equipment. 24. Checks the autonomic dysreflexia kit, crash cart, defibrillators, and temperature and humidity of rooms where reusable medical equipment is stored as assigned. 25. Participates in shared governance, team meetings, and process improvement activities, monitors results, and advocates for self and staff compliance to regulatory requirements. 26. Uses knowledge and demonstrates leadership in using resources (services, equipment, and supplies) in collaboration with other departments and Nurse Managers to improve quality of patient care. 27. Actively participates in at least one unit based, nursing, or hospital-wide committee. 28. Demonstrates ability to utilize computer systems in the performance of daily duties. 29. Submits timely (within 24 hours) JPSR's in an SBAR format and notifies supervisor and provides details of JPSR. 30. Provides constructive and timely input on performance appraisals. 31. Achieves or maintains certification in perioperative nursing. 32. Performs other duties as assigned. 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: Monday-Friday, PM Shift, 0830-1900, 1030-1900, call required Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Available Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Available

Requirements

U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Qualifications and evaluation

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy. Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following five dimensions of nursing: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence/Based Practice/Research. Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

How to apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/29/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13070868. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Resume The following documents are accepted and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Other (1) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.