Operating Room Registered Nurse (Orthopedics & Ophthalmology)
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Mercy Medical Center

Registered Nurse Travel/Contract Position

Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Details

• Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, no holidays
• Arrival Time: Between 5:30 AM and 7:00 AM depending on first surgery
• Operating Room Hours: 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM (allows for setup time)
• Specialty Experience Required: Orthopedics and Eye
• Certifications Required: ACLS, BLS, PALS (American Heart Association or RQI acceptable)

Required Certifications & Competencies

• Certifications:

  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
  • BLS (Basic Life Support)
  • PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
  • NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Procedure) – for Nursery, NICU, L&D RNs
  • TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course) – for ER RNs
  • EFM (Electronic Fetal Monitoring) – AWHONN Intermediate for L&D RNs
  • Orientation Safety Manual Acknowledgement (HIPAA, annual)
  • State License Verification (primary source within 30 days of start)
  • NURSYS Verification (for RN licensure, when applicable)
  • NIH Stroke Certification (may be required)
  • CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) – for Psych positions

• Competency Exams:

  • Medication Test/Pharmacology Competency Exam (80% pass rate)
  • Color Blind Testing (HRR-Ishihara test, 100% passing score)
  • Unit-specific Competency Exam (80% pass rate)
  • Dysrhythmia/EKG Competency Exam (for ICU, CCU, ER, Tele RNs, 80% pass rate)
  • Core Competency Exams Part I, II, III (annual, 80% pass rate)

Background & Verification Requirements

• Background checks must be within 30 days of assignment start and include:

  • 7-year county checks (re-run annually or with location change)
  • National Federal and USA Criminal Search (if lived outside IA in last 7 years)
  • Social Security Trace (annual or with location change)
  • FACIS III, OFAC, OIG/EPLS, National Sex Offender Search, SAM
• Education Verification through school or National Student Clearinghouse (highest level only)
• Transcript/Diploma required (or official transcript/third party verification as placeholder)
• Employment Verification for last 7 years (no pending or incomplete verifications)
• References: 2 supervisory references required, at least one within last year
• Skills Checklist: Unit-specific and for any float units

Health & Immunization Requirements

• Annual Physical Exam or Statement of Health (within 1 year, signed by MD/DO/NP/ARNP/PA)
• Fit Mask Test (annual, preferred off-site but can be onsite if necessary)
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (booster within 10 years or declination accepted)
• Negative TB Test or Chest X-Ray (QuantiFERON gold or TSpot within 90 days)
• Annual TB Questionnaire for positive TB reactors
• Immunizations or positive titers required for:

  • Rubeola (Measles)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Hepatitis B (3-dose series or positive titer or declination)
  • Varicella
• Drug Testing: 10-panel including THC within 30 days of start
• Flu Seasonal Vaccination or approved exemption (required by October 31 annually)
• COVID-19 Vaccine: Preferred but not required as of July 7, 2025

Facility-Specific Requirements

• Mandatory Reporter Training: Must create account and complete Child and Adult Abuse courses with exams (certifications valid 3-5 years depending on completion date)
• Online Modules: Temporarily completed onsite (time not paid)
• COVID-19 Medical and Religious Exemption Forms available and must be approved by facility
• Iowa SING Check: Must be run through Iowa State SING website within 30 days of start, including all aliases

Additional Notes

• Arrival times and OR hours are fixed; punctuality is important
• Orthopedics and Eye experience mandatory
• All certifications and background checks must be current and compliant before start
• Compliance with all health and immunization requirements is mandatory for assignment continuation

This position offers a structured weekday schedule with no holiday shifts, requiring specific OR nursing experience and multiple certifications. Compliance with detailed background, health, and competency requirements is essential.