Registered Nurse - Operating Room

Summary The Nurse 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 Qualifications Basic Requirements: English Language ProficiencyIn accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken EnglishGraduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge programUpon achievement of a State license - the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program(Reference VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6)OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing - possession of a current - full - active - and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education programCredit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)Current - full - active - and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or the District of ColumbiaGraduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess the required licensure - may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certificationGrade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a gradeThe Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13098179Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competenciesAn Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing requiredNurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complexAn ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience requiredNurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planningSelf-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situationsAn ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experienceOR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experienceNurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with othersA BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experienceOR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experienceNurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice settingMSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IIIOR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IIIOR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IIIOR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III*Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degreesReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/Physical Requirements: There are no physical requirements for this occupation per OCHCO Communications email to VA Handbook 5019 - updated on 4/17/2026. Duties 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-beingThe OR RN is expected to function proficiently in both the circulator and scrub role within the OR and to be competent in all surgical specialties servedThe OR RN maintains knowledge of current Association of peri-Operative Registered Nurses (AORN) standards - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Directives - and service level standard operating procedures (SOPs)The OR RN assures the sterility of the surgical field is maintained and all instrumentation and equipment in play is used in a safe and efficient mannerProtects the patient from injury caused by chemical - electrical - mechanical - and thermal sources - and extraneous objects - performs counting procedures to protect the patient from unintended retained surgical items - participates in the Time Out process to ensure correct site - side - and level - and follows implant and tissue/tissue-based product documentation - policy - and proceduresManages the patient's specimens in the appropriate manner - administers medications safely and correctly - performs interventions to maintain the patient's wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline levels - and performs interventions to protect the patient from surgical site infectionResponsible for ensuring comprehensive documentation of all care provided during the perioperative experience is timely - complete - and accurate in the electronic health recordResponsible for knowing what reusable instruments - equipment - medical devices - or supplies are in use in the clinical areaObtains - reads - and follows Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all reusable medical equipment (RME) in use in the clinical area and consults Sterile Processing and/or Infection Control as neededThe OR RN is required to be on-call during off tours hours to provide patient care for emergency proceduresOther duties may be assignedVA 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 - 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized