Operating Room RN
Cortez, Colorado
Southwest Memorial Hospital

Job Opportunity: RN - OR (Travel)

Location: Cortez, Colorado
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Position Summary

Provide perioperative nursing care to patients in surgical services, including PACU, OR, Pre-Op, and Same Day Care. The role involves admitting and discharging patients, collaborating with surgeons, and delivering safe, efficient, and courteous nursing care.

Work Schedule

• 4x10 hour shifts
• Admitting nurses: 6:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Discharging nurses: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
• Staff rotate between admitting and discharging duties

Required Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing
• Associate degree required; Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Current Registered Nurse license valid in Colorado (Compact license accepted; Colorado license must be obtained within 90 days)
• Current BLS, PALS (within 6 months of hire), and ACLS (within 6 months of hire) certifications
• Minimum 1 year of experience in acute care nursing (higher experience requirement applies)
• PACU/OR/Pre-Op/Same Day Care experience required
• Peri-Operative Registered Nurse (AORN) certification preferred
• Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA) certification preferred

Key Responsibilities

• Administer nursing care using appropriate procedures and evidence-based practices
• Demonstrate knowledge of surgical anatomy, physiology, and operative techniques
• Supervise non-professional staff and assist physicians with patient care and procedures
• Perform telemetry monitoring and basic arrhythmia interpretation
• Follow medication administration protocols, including controlled substances and EMAR scanning
• Maintain patient confidentiality and adhere to safety and infection control standards
• Participate in in-service training, departmental meetings, and resuscitation drills
• Assist with peer and staff evaluations, data collection, and chart reviews
• Initiate and revise patient care plans based on clinical needs and standards
• Utilize technology for documentation and patient outcome management
• Demonstrate flexibility with shifts and work hours to meet staffing needs

Additional Unit-Specific Duties

• Rapid Sequence Intubation
• Fetal Monitoring
• Advanced Cardiac Monitoring
• NST (Non-Stress Test)
• Rapid Infuser use
• Epidural management
• Critical drips and induction
• Trauma alert response
• Newborn care (delivery to discharge)
• CVP and A-line monitoring
• Ventilator/BiPAP management
• Hearing screening
• Pre-term care
• Infant security
• EMTALA compliance
• CCHD screening
• Phototherapy

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Exposure to infectious waste, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and occasional foul odors
• Moderate to loud noise levels; possible interactions with aggressive patients or visitors
• Exposure to environmental conditions such as heat, cold, precipitation, and wind
• Physical demands include lifting up to 100 lbs occasionally, frequent kneeling, crouching, reaching, and repetitive motions
• Requires good auditory and visual abilities, including color vision and accommodation for near-point work

Additional Information

• Must adhere to dress code and maintain a neat appearance
• Commitment to ongoing personal and professional development
• Ability to work with patients from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds
• Strong communication, organizational, and customer service skills required
• Basic computer proficiency necessary

Experience Requirements

• Specialty: RN in OR/PACU/Pre-Op/Same Day Care
• Minimum 1 year of acute care nursing experience required
• No explicit prior travel experience required

This position offers an opportunity to work in a dynamic surgical environment with a focus on patient-centered care and professional growth.