RN OR Circulator

OR Circulator Registered Nurse

Orthopaedic Outpatient Surgery Center



Position Summary

The OR Circulator Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing professional nursing care to patients undergoing surgical procedures in an outpatient orthopaedic surgery center. The Circulator RN functions as an integral member of the surgical team by coordinating patient care in the operating room, maintaining a safe and sterile environment, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and advocating for patient safety throughout the perioperative experience.



Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Perform pre-operative patient assessments and verify patient history, allergies, surgical consent, site verification, and physician orders.

Prepare and maintain operating rooms for surgical procedures, ensuring equipment, supplies, and instrumentation are available and functioning properly.

Serve as the circulating nurse during orthopaedic surgical procedures.

Maintain sterile technique and ensure adherence to infection prevention and safety protocols.

Coordinate communication between surgeons, anesthesia providers, surgical technologists, PACU staff, vendors, and other team members.

Accurately document intraoperative nursing care, medications, implants, specimens, counts, and patient status in the electronic medical record.

Perform surgical counts according to policy and participate in time-outs and patient safety initiatives.

Monitor patient condition throughout procedures and respond appropriately to changes in patient status.

Administer medications and treatments within scope of practice and physician orders.

Assist with positioning and transporting patients safely while preventing injury.

Ensure compliance with OSHA, HIPAA, AAAHC/Joint Commission, CMS, and infection control standards.

Participate in quality improvement initiatives, staff education, and performance improvement activities.

Assist with stocking supplies and maintaining equipment and operating room readiness.

Provide post-operative handoff communication to PACU staff.

Participate in on-call rotation if applicable.

Qualifications

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.

Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Georgia.

Current BLS certification required.

ACLS certification required or obtained within designated timeframe.

Minimum of 1–2 years of perioperative or operating room nursing experience preferred.

Orthopaedic surgical experience preferred.

Knowledge of sterile technique, surgical procedures, instrumentation, and patient safety standards.

Strong organizational, communication, and critical thinking skills.

Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced outpatient surgical environment.

Physical Requirements

Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.

Ability to lift and move patients and equipment up to 50 pounds with assistance when necessary.

Manual dexterity sufficient to handle instruments and equipment.

Visual and auditory acuity necessary for patient monitoring and communication.

Work Environment

Fast-paced outpatient orthopaedic surgery center environment.

Exposure to bloodborne pathogens, bodily fluids, and surgical equipment.

Requires strict adherence to safety and infection control protocols.

Typical Orthopaedic Procedures May Include

Arthroscopy procedures

Total joint replacements

Hand and upper extremity procedures

Sports medicine surgeries

Spine procedures

Foot and ankle surgeries

Pain management procedures