Job Title
Perioperative Registered Nurse
Job Summary
We are seeking a dedicated and skilled Perioperative Registered Nurse (RN) for a 13-week contract assignment in Gardner, Massachusetts. This role is based within a hospital setting, providing essential care to surgical patients across various specialties.
The successful candidate will be an integral part of the surgical team, collaborating closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and surgical technicians to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Responsibilities encompass comprehensive nursing care throughout the pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative phases, with a strong emphasis on patient safety, sterile technique, and adherence to established perioperative standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate nursing interventions and patient care plans for surgical patients.
- Provide patient care in accordance with established standards of care, practice, protocols, and hospital policies.
- Ensure patient dignity and positive self-regard are maintained throughout the care process.
- Provide patient and family education based on identified learning needs and barriers.
- Collaboratively plan and prepare patients and families for discharge, incorporating necessary support systems and resources.
- Appropriately delegate and supervise nursing interventions performed by other healthcare team members.
- Prioritize patient care effectively, seeking assistance from appropriate resources and recognizing the need for emergency interventions.
- Provide thorough, timely, and accurate documentation of all pertinent data, therapeutic interventions, and patient responses.
- Deliver timely and comprehensive reports to other healthcare team members to ensure continuity of care.
- Promote continuous learning for colleagues and self through professional development and mentorship.
- Proactively identify risks to patient safety and implement strategies to reduce medical errors.
- Safely administer medications and intravenous therapy according to physician orders and established protocols.
- Conduct comprehensive pain assessments, reassess effectiveness of pain control, and document patient responses.
- Complete required documentation for medication reconciliation for use by the Attending MD.
- Collaborate with the surgical team to ensure patient well-being during surgical interventions.
- Maintain sterile fields and direct the correct care, handling, and sterilization of sterile supplies and instruments.
- Verify patient identification, consent forms, operative procedure, and site before surgical procedures.
- Apply principles of aseptic practice and oversee the selection and preparation of supplies, equipment, and instrumentation for surgical cases.
- Utilize principles of body mechanics for safe patient positioning and transfer.
- Ensure all techniques and practices during surgical procedures are accurate and reflect perioperative standards.
- Maintain accurate sponge, needle, and instrument counts according to policies and procedures.
- Identify, label, care for, and handle all specimens and cultures according to established policy.
Required Qualifications
- Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
Preferred Qualifications
- O.R. nursing experience.
- Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) certification.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong clinical assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation skills.
- Proficiency in medication administration and IV therapy.
- Expertise in aseptic technique and sterile field maintenance.
- Ability to perform accurate surgical counts (sponges, needles, instruments).
- Skill in proper specimen and culture handling.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, fostering a collaborative team environment.
- Ability to multitask and manage competing priorities effectively.
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
- Commitment to patient safety and quality improvement.
- Professionalism and a positive, "can-do" attitude.
- Ability to respond appropriately and immediately in emergency situations.
Shift Details
- Shift Type: AM
- Shift Duration: 8 hours
- Days per Week: 5 days
- Contract Length: 13 weeks
- Start Date: May 26, 2026
- Call Requirements: Not specified.
- Weekend Rotations: Not specified.
Licensing Requirements
- Current Massachusetts Registered Nurse (RN) license.
- Active Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification upon hire, or obtained within 60 days of hire.