Operating Room RN
Augusta, Georgia
University Hospital

Operating Room Registered Nurse - Augusta, GA (Travel/Contract)

Job Overview

• Discipline: Registered Nurse
• Specialty: Operating Room (OR)
• Patient Population: Adults to Geriatrics
• Location: Augusta, Georgia
• Employment Type: Travel/Contract
• Contract Length: 14 weeks
• Shift: Day shift, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (6:30 AM – 7:00 PM)
• Weekly Hours: 36 hours

Unit & Work Environment

• Main OR covering specialties: General, Neuro, Spine, Orthopedics, Robotics, Urology, Vascular, Colorectal
• Circulate and Scrub experience required (hard stop)
• Unit uses Epic, Pyxis, and 2 Da Vinci XI surgical robots
• Average daily census: 35 patients across 16 rooms
• Scrub color provided by facility
• Floating is rare but may occur within facility/scope of practice
• Return to Orientation (RTO) maximum: 7 days
• RTO blackout dates: Spring Break (April 4th–12th)

Call & Weekend Requirements

• 2–3 weekends per 8-week schedule, either in-house or on call
• Call shifts: 7–8 calls per 8 weeks, including 1 weekend call and 1–2 weekend shifts
• Call shift times:

  • C1: 7 p.m.–7 a.m.
  • C2: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Additional 2–3 weekday night call shifts during the 8-week period
• Holiday work expectations:

  • If 1 major holiday falls during assignment, must work it
  • If 2 major holidays fall, must work both
  • If 3 major holidays fall, must work 2 of them
• Major holidays include Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving/Black Friday, Christmas Eve/Day, New Year’s Eve/Day

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in Georgia
• Minimum 1 year of Operating Room (OR) nursing experience within the last year
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Circulate and Scrub experience in OR required
• Compliance with all required certifications and competencies prior to start

Certifications & Competencies

• BLS required prior to start
• ACLS may be required depending on specialty area (check unit specifics)
• Medication/Pharmacology competency exam required by agency
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required if applicable to unit
• Color Blind Testing required
• Other certifications (PALS, NRP, EFM, NIH Stroke) may be required depending on unit assignment

Health & Background Requirements

• Negative 10-panel drug screen within 60 days of start (including amphetamines, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, cocaine, opiates, methadone, PCP, propoxyphene, THC)
• Physical exam within 12 months of start
• Immunizations/vaccinations required or proof of immunity:

  • TB test (PPD, QGold, or TSpot) within 12 months or negative chest x-ray if prior positive
  • TB questionnaire updated annually
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) – 2 vaccines or positive titer with boosters if needed
  • Varicella – 2 vaccines or positive titer with boosters if needed
  • Hepatitis B surface antibody titer or signed declination
  • Flu vaccine or declination required during flu season (Nov 1 – Mar 31)
  • Tdap highly recommended but not required
• Background check required within 30 days of start, including education verification and criminal history
• Skills checklist within 12 months, updated annually
• Work history verification of most recent employer required (can be pending at start with proof)
• Two clinical references required

Additional Information

• Non-billable orientation hours vary by contract length (e.g., 8 hours for 8-week assignment)
• Full compliance with all documentation and credentialing required to start on time; delays may result in a 2-week pushback due to orientation scheduling
• Candidates will undergo clinical screening to determine fit before final manager approval
• Local candidates accepted at the same rate

This position offers an opportunity to work in a high-tech OR environment with a diverse surgical case mix, requiring strong circulating and scrub skills, flexibility for call and weekend coverage, and full compliance with credentialing and health requirements.