Circulating Nurse in O Fallon, Illinois at Ideal Eye Surgery LLC

Location: O’Fallon, IL Surgery Center

Type: Full-Time

About Us:

At Ideal Eye Surgery, we embrace the evolution of eye care by leveraging cutting-edge technology and innovative surgical techniques. Departing from an era of the traditional, one-size-fits-all approach, we tailor our treatments to suit your unique needs.

In a landscape where many ophthalmology practices adhere to outdated methods, we are committed to investing time and expertise to uncover your ideal solution. Our dedicated team of experienced doctors prioritizes fostering strong collaborative partnerships with your primary eye care doctor, allowing them to continue the long-term care of your eyes. That enables us to provide you with an enlightening initial evaluation and opportunities for informed discussions that will guide you toward the best surgical decision.

Position Overview:

The Circulating Nurse is a critical member of the ophthalmology surgical team and is responsible for coordinating and supporting the safe, efficient, and high-quality care of patients throughout the intraoperative period. The Circulating Nurse serves as the patient's advocate in the operating room, ensures the surgical environment is properly prepared, verifies adherence to established safety standards and procedures, and collaborates closely with the surgeon, anesthesia team, scrub personnel, and other members of the perioperative team. This role requires strong clinical judgment, attention to detail, organization, communication, and the ability to anticipate the needs of the surgical team while maintaining a patient-centered approach.

Key Responsibilities:

Patient Experience

• Maintain a calm, reassuring, and compassionate presence during the patient's surgical experience.
• Protect patient confidentiality and dignity at all times.
• Communicate appropriately with patients and families within the scope of the role.
• Support a seamless transition between preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care.
• Demonstrate behaviors consistent with the organization's patient experience standards and values.

Patient Safety and Advocacy

• Serve as the patient's advocate throughout the surgical experience and protect the patient's safety, privacy, dignity, and rights.
• Participate in the preoperative verification process, including confirming patient identity, procedure, surgical site, consent, allergies, and other required information.
• Participate in the surgical time-out and ensure required safety checks are completed before the procedure begins.
• Monitor the operating room environment for conditions that may affect patient safety.
• Identify and communicate potential safety concerns promptly to the appropriate member of the surgical team.
• Maintain compliance with infection prevention, patient safety, and regulatory standards.
• Assist with positioning and securing patients appropriately for ophthalmic surgical procedures while protecting skin integrity and preventing injury.

Intraoperative Nursing Care

• Prepare the operating room and ensure necessary equipment, instruments, supplies, medications, implants, and documentation are available before the procedure.
• Verify that equipment is functioning properly and report or address deficiencies promptly.
• Coordinate the activities of the operating room to promote an efficient and organized surgical workflow.
• Anticipate the needs of the surgeon, anesthesia provider, and scrub personnel during procedures.
• Obtain and document medications, implants, supplies, and other items used during surgery according to established procedures.
• Assist with specimen management, labeling, handling, and disposition in accordance with policy.
• Maintain accurate intraoperative documentation, including medications, implants, specimens, and other required information per policy.
• Participate in sponge, needle, and instrument counts as required.
• Ensure all required surgical documentation is complete and accurate before the patient leaves the operating room.
• Assist with room turnover and preparation for subsequent cases.
• Support efficient movement of patients and equipment between preoperative, operating, and postoperative areas.

Ophthalmic Surgical Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain knowledge of ophthalmic surgical procedures, including cataract, glaucoma, corneal, retinal, oculoplastic, and other procedures performed at the ASC.
• Understand the equipment, instruments, supplies, medications, implants, and special considerations associated with ophthalmic procedures.
• Anticipate procedure-specific needs based on the scheduled surgical case.
• Verify availability and appropriate preparation of intraocular lenses, implants, specialty instruments, ophthalmic medications, and other procedure-specific supplies.
• Maintain procedure-specific requirements to prevent wrong-site or wrong-procedure events.
• Demonstrate competency with ophthalmic surgical equipment and technology appropriate to assigned procedures.

INFECTION CONTROL

• Follows and implements all aspects of the organization's Infection Control Policy.
• Demonstrates appropriate use of Universal Precautions
• Uses personal protective equipment appropriately.
• Demonstrates proper hand hygiene practices.
• Understands procedures for managing needle sticks and blood-borne pathogen exposures.
• Identifies appropriate procedures for segregating or isolating patients with suspected airborne, contact, or droplet infections when necessary.
• Demonstrates appropriate cleaning and decontamination of medical equipment using approved cleaning agents and techniques.
• Demonstrates appropriate procedures for managing blood spills.
• Uses appropriate techniques for:
• Handling linen.
• Managing IV cannulas, needles, and blood safety devices.
• Disposing of sharps, infectious waste, and regulated medical waste.
• Storing clean and sterile supplies.
• Reports patient or staff injuries appropriately, including falls, eye splashes, needle sticks, or other exposures.
• Maintains a safe and sanitary environment for patients, families, and staff.

Equipment, Supplies & Inventory

• Monitor operating room supplies and equipment to ensure adequate availability for scheduled procedures.
• Communicate supply shortages, equipment concerns, and maintenance needs promptly.
• Assist with inventory management and organization of surgical supplies.
• Help maintain an organized operating room and supply environment.
• Participate in evaluation and implementation of new surgical equipment, supplies, and technology as appropriate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position requires a full range of body motion, including handling and assisting with the movement and lifting of patients. The position requires manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination.

The position involves frequent standing and walking. The employee may occasionally be required to lift and carry items weighing up to approximately 30 pounds.

Normal visual acuity and hearing are required. The employee may work under stressful conditions and may occasionally be required to work irregular hours.

The employee may be considered an “exposed” employee according to applicable OSHA standards.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• Graduation from an accredited or approved school of nursing.
• Active, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) in the applicable state.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS/BCLS) certification required.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification preferred, can provide upon hiring.

Experience and Other Requirements

• Previous experience in an ambulatory surgery, peri-operative, pre-operative, post-operative, or related clinical setting preferred. Ophthalmology preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of patient flow and scheduling efficiency in a surgical environment.
• Strong assessment, communication, organization, and time-management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and respond appropriately to changing patient and operational needs.
• Demonstrates initiative and willingness to adapt to change.
• Maintains a professional appearance and demeanor.
• Demonstrates commitment to patient-centered care and service excellence.

CORE SKILL REQUIREMENTS

• Practices within applicable state licensure.
• Maintain current knowledge of ophthalmic surgical practices and AORN peri-operative standards.
• Is familiar with the proper use and functioning of equipment.
• Maintains strong clinical assessment skills.
• Identifies and appropriately reports abnormal patient findings.
• Ensures a safe environment for patients, families, and staff by identifying health and safety risks and taking immediate appropriate action.
• Demonstrates strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Demonstrates the ability to prioritize multiple patients and competing clinical demands.
• Demonstrates effective communication with physicians and members of the healthcare team.
• Maintains accurate and timely clinical documentation.
• Demonstrates proficiency with applicable electronic medical record and computer systems.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person