Cardio-Thoracic Operating Room RN
Aurora, CO
Access Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Days

Job Opportunity: Operating Room Registered Nurse (Travel/Contract)

Location: Aurora, Colorado
Contract Length: 13 weeks (approximately 3 months)
Specialty: Registered Nurse - Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (Operating Room)
Shift: Days, various days of the week with occasional float to 0845 and 1045 starts
Unit: 41 ORs, Level 1 Trauma Center
Employment Type: Travel/Contract

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 3 years of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery experience in the OR, either as a Circulator, Scrub, or preferably both.
• Experience in Level 1 or 2 Trauma Center required.
• Epic electronic health record experience required.
• No first-time travelers accepted.
• Prior travel experience not explicitly required.

Job Details

• Weekend work required as per unit needs.
• On-call required, approximately 6 shifts per 8-week schedule.
• Floating within scope to other ORs at the facility is required.
• Case types include General, GU/GYN, Neuro, ENT, and Plastic surgery.
• Ratio: 1:1 nurse to patient.
• Return to Office (RTO) days limited to 10 days max; no RTO allowed during specific blackout periods in 2026.

Licensure & Certifications Required

• Colorado OR Compact RN License.
• AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) may be required depending on unit.
• Other certifications may be required depending on unit (e.g., TNCC for trauma, PALS, NRP, etc.)—confirm specifics with facility.

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Background checks including 7-year history, education verification, and various federal/state screenings.
• Verification of licensure through NURSYS.
• Drug testing within 30 days of start and annually.
• Physical exam within 1 year of start.
• Immunizations and health documents required:

  • TDAP within 10 years or signed declination.
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 1 year.
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) immunity or vaccination.
  • Hepatitis B immunity or vaccination.
  • Varicella immunity or vaccination.
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or facility-specific exemption during flu season.
  • COVID vaccination or signed declination.
• Fit mask test within 12 months of start and annually.
• Color blind exam (Ishihara) required prior to start.
• Annual competency exams and medication/pharmacology tests required.

Additional Requirements

• Employment history verification for the last 3 years.
• Two professional references from the last two years, including one from the last year.
• Skills checklist and competency exams updated annually.
• Compliance with facility-specific release authorizations and checklists.

Summary

This is a travel contract position for an experienced Cardio-Thoracic OR Registered Nurse at a Level 1 Trauma Center in Aurora, Colorado. Candidates must have at least 3 years of specialty OR experience, be licensed in Colorado, and meet extensive certification and compliance requirements. The role involves day shifts with weekend and on-call responsibilities, floating within the OR as needed, and working with a variety of surgical cases. First-time travelers are not accepted.