Operating Room Registered Nurse (Circulator)
Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield Memorial Hospital

Registered Nurse (OR RN) - Travel Contract

Location: Bakersfield, California
Contract Length: 14 weeks

Job Summary

Seeking an experienced Operating Room (OR) Registered Nurse for a travel contract in California. The role involves circulating in various OR rooms including pediatric cases, neuro, total joints, major vascular, general surgery, gynecology, urology, plastics, and some podiatry. Scrubbing is performed by surgical techs; the RN will circulate.

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in California
• Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing
• Minimum 3 years of Operating Room (OR) nursing experience, including experience within the last year
• Minimum 2 years of RN experience
• One completed travel assignment
• Current certifications: BLS, ACLS, and PALS issued by the American Heart Association
• Ability to circulate all OR cases described, including pediatrics (except cardiovascular OR cases)
• Experience with Cerner EMR system

Typical Cases

• Neuro (including Craniotomy, VP shunt, ACDF, Lumbar Laminectomy)
• Total Joint Arthroplasty
• Major vascular cases (AV Fistula, EVARs)
• Cardiac cases (hearts)
• General surgery (laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy, hernias, thyroidectomies, mastectomy, burn cases)
• Gynecology (LAVH, hysterectomy, TURP, breast reduction)
• Plastics and podiatry
• Pediatric cases (all pediatric surgeries except eyes and bariatrics)
• ENT organ procurement

Work Environment & Schedule

• 11 OR rooms plus 2 pediatric rooms and 1 hybrid room
• Average 30-40 cases per day across rooms
• Shifts available: 8, 10, or 12 hours starting at 6:30 AM (may require 5:30 AM start)
• Call requirements:

  • Weeknight call approximately once per week (6 PM - 6:30 AM)
  • Weekend call approximately 3 times per month
  • Holiday call expected unless pre-approved off
• Call response time: 30 minutes
• Floating expected between all non-cardiothoracic OR rooms (except cardiac room) but not outside OR
• Orientation: 2-3 shifts specific to unit/department

Additional Information

• Scrubbing is done by surgical techs; RN does not scrub
• First assist performed by RNFA
• Charge nurse coverage on days; house supervisor available after hours and weekends
• Support staff includes anesthesia aides and nursing assistants for turnover and patient transport
• Dress code and scrub color provided by hospital

This opportunity is ideal for an experienced OR RN with prior travel contract experience looking to work in a high-volume, diverse surgical environment.