Registered Nurse | OR Circulator

About Us: Founded in 2004 by local physicians, Animas Surgical Hospital has been an integral part of the Four Corners region for more than two decades. Our goal has never been to be the only hospital in Durango but to be the best option for surgery, diagnostic imaging, emergency care, occupational medicine, and internal medicine.

Our Mission: To provide innovative, exceptional healthcare that patients recommend, physicians prefer, and employees are proud of.  

Job Title: Registered Nurse / OR Circulator

Job Summary: The Registered Nurse / OR Circulator is responsible for providing nursing care to the patient during the intraoperative phase. Performs nursing activities in the operating room where the circulating nurse is the patient’s advocate. Answers patient needs by assisting the surgical technologists, surgeons, and person responsible for anesthesia care.

Reports To: Director, Surgical Services | RN Supervisor

Hourly Range: $34.14 to $54.00 (posted hourly range excludes overtime and bonuses which are not guaranteed)

Essential Job Functions:

• Participates as a team member in support of the total perioperative process.
• Considers patient rights in performance of job duties and responsibilities.
• Actively participates in time including identification and confirmation of operative site.
• Completes nursing assessment as appropriate for the patients’ condition and within established time frames.
• Develops patient plan of care to include patient problems, goals
• Reports symptoms and significant changes in patient’s condition to appropriate personnel and in timely manner
• Interacts appropriately with various age groups.
• Accurately assess and interpret age-specific patient data.
• Addressing patient needs during admission to the operating room with attention to requirements of an outpatient setting.
• Confirms that staff is using proper techniques and procedures according to accepted standards of practice.
• Considers cost containment by using supplies economically and strives for effective and efficient turnover time.
• Assists with supply and equipment inventories to maintain stock level and availability in all areas.
• Demonstrates appropriate application of age specific standards, policies and procedures and guidelines in caring for child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
  • Follows age specific standards in administering medications based on patient’s age.
  • Prepares operating room according to the procedure to be performed and the patients’ needs, including opening instruments, trays, and equipment.
  • Assembles and provides properly functioning equipment, supplies, and instruments before the start of the procedure; positions and adjusts the equipment as required during the procedure.
  • Follows age specific standards of care during altered states of consciousness related to analgesia, conscious sedation or anesthesia.
  • Uses age specific standards, policies and procedures and guidelines to perform treatments and procedures that are routine for unit/clinic based on patient’s age.
• Incorporates cultural and developmental needs into plan of care.
  • In collaboration with the patient/family, and in a developmentally and culturally appropriate manner, implements the plan of care.
  • Demonstrates competency in the provision of nursing care according to established standards of nursing practice and in a developmentally appropriate manner.
• Demonstrates critical thinking skills, ability to provide and delegate activities to staff based on patient assessment and the requirements to deliver care in a safe efficient manner maximizing positive outcomes for the patient.
• Accurately comprehends, interprets, and confirms verbal orders. Able to accurately follow direction and communication from providers to care for patients appropriately.
• Participates in staff meetings, in-services, committees, and quality management activities.
  • Adheres to safety policies and procedures in performing job duties and responsibilities.
  • Reports observed or suspected violations, hazards, and non-compliance according to ASH policy.
  • Responds to emergency situations with competence, composure, and according to ASH policy.
• Collaborates and works cooperatively with physicians and other members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team in formal and informal teaching of patients and/or family about his or her disease process and decision making about the patient’s care.
  • Assesses patient/family learning needs, abilities, preferences, and readiness to learn.
  • Utilizes a collaborative interdisciplinary process to provide appropriate patient/family education.
  • Utilizes available information to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching in producing the desired patient outcomes and adjusts in teaching as indicated.
• Participates in performance improvement activities which include collecting and analyzing data to identify quantifiable measures to maintain quality and the promotion of desired outcomes. Also includes participation in development of patient care delivery systems, standards, policy and procedures, and problem solving teams.
• Demonstrates an awareness and relevance of Evidence Based Practice in nursing. Evaluates practices to identify areas for improvement or opportunities for greater efficiencies.
• Effectively utilizes ASH and departmental communication tools and systems to stay informed and communicate with the healthcare team. Accesses ASH email account at minimum once a day when on shift to read, process, and respond to emails.
• May be required to float to other areas of the hospital when necessary; emergencies, disasters, pandemics, staffing issues, etc.

Additional Duties

• Demonstrates the spirit of the philosophy, mission, and values of the hospital through words and actions and implements them into departmental processes, programs, and the working environment.
  • Applies the principles and values of customer service and continuous quality improvement while performing day to day activities of the position.
  • Maintains and protects confidentiality regarding all aspects of patient care, personnel and strategic issues. Adheres to Confidentiality Policy.
  • Maintains positive attitude and working relationships that fosters a cooperative work environment. Adheres to the hospital’s Guidelines for Appropriate Conduct in the HR Manual.
  • Displays honesty and mutual respect when communicating with peers and other departments.
  • Follows through on problems that may compromise effective job performance by using appropriate chain of command.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education: Graduation from accredited school of nursing. Bachelor of Science in Nursing is preferred. Current state license as a registered nurse; current CPR certification; ACLS, and/or PALS per policy.

Experience: Previous experience as an RN in related care area preferred. Must be able to multitask. High level written and interpersonal communication skills.

Physical Requirements

Position requires lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling up to fifty (50) pounds while administering patient care; stooping, kneeling and/or crouching; standing and walking (5) or more hours per day; reaching, grasping, and handling (5) or more hours per day. Visual acuity to correctly distinguish skin tone variations, evidence of IV infiltration, infection and to read telemetry, blood pressure gauges, etc.; audio acuity to correctly distinguish various body sounds, i.e. respirators, heart sounds, bowel sounds and to discern sounds made by various types of machinery or equipment which would indicate dangerous or improper operation.

Working Conditions/Environmental Exposures

Environmental hazards such as chemicals, solvents, needles, needle containers, sharps, blood, body fluids, various infectious/communicable diseases, infectious medical waste, radiation, and/or radioactive materials and/or radioactive waste, proximity to moving mechanical parts.  Protective clothing/equipment may be necessary.

Animas Health Immunizations and Vaccinations Requirements  

Aligns with CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for Healthcare Personnel 

• Hepatitis B- Lab evidence of immunity (titer) to Hepatitis B or three doses Hep B vaccine at appropriate intervals
• Influenza- documentation of current seasonal flu vaccine (mandatory from November 1st through March 31st each year)
• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella - Lab evidence of immunity (titer) to Measles, Mumps, and Rubella or 2 doses of MMR Vaccination
• Varicella (chickenpox) - Lab evidence of immunity (titer) to Varicella or 2 doses of Varicella Vaccine
• Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) - documented proof of immunization
• Tuberculosis Screening - Documentation of a two-step TB skin test within the past year OR lab verification of a negative TB Gold or T-Spot tuberculin test within the past 6 months

* Vaccine records or evidence of immunity are required prior to 1st day of scheduled work.

Animas Health is a drug free workplace and performs a pre-employment drug screen which includes marijuana.

We Offer Competitive Pay and Benefits

Employment with us provides competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and professional growth.

Eligible employees enjoy:

• Health, Vision and Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Education and Tuition benefits
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings accounts
• Additional optional benefits

Where You Will Work: Click here to learn more about Durango, Co.