OR Nurse Educator

Job Summary

The Surgical Services Nurse Educator supports clinical education and professional development for perioperative staff while maintaining active participation in direct patient care within the operating room.

Essential Functions

• Provides direct and indirect patient care across the perioperative continuum including pre-anesthesia screening, pre-operative preparation, intra-operative circulating, post-operative monitoring, and discharge planning.
• Performs patient assessments using appropriate screening tools and clinical judgment to identify patient needs and develop nursing diagnoses.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates individualized care plans and coordinates interventions, referrals, and patient education.
• Communicates effectively with surgeons, anesthesia providers, pharmacists, case management, and other members of the multidisciplinary care team to ensure coordinated patient care and optimal outcomes.
• Designs, implements, and evaluates orientation programs for new perioperative staff, including graduate nurses and nurses transitioning into the operating room environment.
• Serves as a clinical mentor and preceptor for perioperative nurses and surgical services staff, providing guidance, coaching, and support to promote clinical competency and successful integration into the department.
• Develops, schedules, and delivers continuing education opportunities including in-services, skills labs, and educational programs based on departmental needs, regulatory requirements, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Conducts initial and annual competency assessments for perioperative staff, including skills validation and documentation of competency.
• Maintains and updates educational materials, training resources, and clinical guidelines to support ongoing staff development and adherence to current standards of practice.
• Maintains familiarity with and supports compliance with Curry Health Network policies, procedures, and clinical protocols while ensuring care and documentation meet regulatory and professional standards.
• Supports departmental quality improvement initiatives and promotes evidence-based practice within surgical services.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Current Unencumbered Oregon State Registered Nurse Licensure is required.
• BSN is strongly preferred.
• Current BLS, ACLS, PALS, TNCC (Emergency Nurse Association), or NRP (American Heart Association), and STABLE certifications are preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years experience in perioperative setting required.
• Demonstrated competency in OR circulation is required.
• Experience as an educator is preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Computer skills are required, specifically using MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Prior use of an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) for documenting in patient records is preferred.
• Excellent communication skills, clinical judgment, critical thinking, and organizational skills.
• A demonstrated ability to work well in high pressure situations is required.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.

Physical Requirements

• On-the-job Time Is Spent In The Following Physical Activities: None of the time: No requirement Up to 1/3 of the time: Taste or smell From 1/3 to 1/2 of the time: Sit, Stoop, Kneel Up 2/3 of the time and more: Stand, walk, talk or hear, use hands to finer, push/pull, reach with hands This job requires that weight be lifted, or force be exerted as follows: None of the time: up to or more than 100 pounds Up to 1/3 of the time: up to 50 pounds From 1/3 to 1/2 of the time: Up to 10 pounds Up to 2/3 of the time and more: no requirement This Job Has Special Vision Requirements As Follows Close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Work Environment This Job Requires Exposure To The Following Environmental Conditions: None of the time: Extreme heat/cold; Wet/humid; fumes/airborne particles; work with explosives; vibration; Toxic or caustic chemicals; Risk of electrical shock Up to 1/3 of the time: Working near moving mechanical parts; outdoor weather; risk of radiation From 1/3 to 1/2 of the time: no requirement The typical noise level for the work environment is: very quiet to moderate noise. Hearing requirements: ability to hear alarms on equipment, patient call and instructions. This Job Requires The Following Repetitive Motion Actions: 0 hours per day: foot control From 1 – 2 hours per day: grasping: firm/heavy; From 3 – 4 hours per day No requirement From 5 – 6 hours per day: No requirement From 7+ hours per day: hands; grasping: simple, light fine dexterity