Operating Room RN – ENT Plastics
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Mercy Medical Center

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse (Travel/Contract)

Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Specialty: Registered Nurse – ENT Plastics Team
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

• Work in a busy Operating Room with 17 rooms, serving Adolescents, Adults, and Geriatrics.
• Assist anesthesia with induction, patient positioning, prepping, and draping.
• Maintain sterile field and enforce strict asepsis standards.
• Monitor and document all surgical equipment and patient data in the EHR.
• Handle and label medications, blood, and specimens accurately.
• Participate in surgical time-outs and debriefings to confirm procedures, counts, and specimen labeling.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team including Registered Nurses, Surgical Techs, PCTs, Scheduling Coordinators, and Materials Management.

Requirements

• Licensure: Iowa or Compact RN license in hand required.
• Experience: Minimum 2 years of ENT experience required (higher of 2 years ENT or 2 years general experience).
• Certifications:

  • BLS (Basic Life Support) required.
  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) may be required depending on unit.
• Skills:

  • EPIC experience required.
  • Ability to assist in patient positioning and safety.
  • Strict adherence to aseptic techniques.
• Scrubs provided.

Patient Population

• Adolescents, Adults, and Geriatrics

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Valid and unexpired government-issued ID required.
• Background checks including 7-year county, national federal, sex offender, and other state-specific checks must be current within 30 days of assignment start.
• Education verification and diploma/transcript required.
• Drug screening (10-panel including THC) within 30 days of start.
• Annual physical exam or statement of health signed by MD, DO, NP, ARNP, or PA.
• Fit mask test within 12 months (3M-N95 mask sizes specified).
• Immunizations and titers required:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (within 10 years or declination)
  • Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella (proof of vaccination or positive titer)
  • Hepatitis B vaccination series or positive titer/declination
  • Varicella vaccination or positive titer
• Negative TB test (QuantiFERON gold or TSpot) within 90 days or acceptable chest x-ray for past positives. Annual TB questionnaire if applicable.
• Flu vaccination or approved exemption required annually by October 31.
• COVID-19 vaccination preferred but not required as of 7/7/2025.
• Mandatory Reporter Certification for Child and Dependent Adult Abuse training required (Iowa state specific).

Additional Requirements

• Two supervisory references required, at least one within the last year, both from the specialty area.
• Resume must include 7 years of employment history or back to graduation with no gaps over 30 days.
• Unit-specific skills checklist and competency exams required with minimum 80% pass rate.
• Annual renewal of core competency exams and medication/pharmacology competency exams.
• Compliance with facility-specific online modules and safety manual acknowledgments.

Work Environment

• Operating Room setting with a focus on ENT plastics surgeries.
• Collaborative team environment with multiple disciplines.
• High standards for patient safety and sterile technique.

This position is ideal for experienced Registered Nurses with ENT OR experience looking for a travel contract in Iowa.