Operating Room Nurse Clinician III - Galveston

UTMB Health is seeking an Operating Room Nurse Clinician III for our Galveston location. This role provides safe and competent intraoperative patient care in a dynamic surgical environment. You will work as a member of the interdisciplinary surgical team, managing emergent and urgent surgical cases while maintaining the highest standards of aseptic and sterile technique.

Clinical Setting

You will work in a busy operating room environment, circulating in emergent and urgent surgical cases. The role requires the ability to manage unexpected or emergency situations commonly seen in the assigned specialty population and to serve as a resource for Nurse Clinician I or II staff members.

Responsibilities

• Validate specialized perioperative nursing knowledge and current perioperative nursing practice standards
• Consult and coordinate with health care team members to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care plans
• Participate actively in surgical time outs and debriefing procedures
• Ensure that the correct patient and correct procedure are being performed
• Observe, check, and monitor all equipment used during surgery to confirm proper operation
• Assist in patient positioning and respond to patient comfort and safety needs
• Provide accurate care, handling, and documentation of surgical specimens
• Support the surgical technologist effectively during cases
• Perform surgical counts (initial, closing, and final) and reconcile incorrect counts per policy
• Document accurately all surgical procedures, documentation, supplies, and implants
• Observe and enforce strict standards of asepsis in all aspects of patient care
• Participate actively in departmental initiatives related to patient safety, efficiency, cost containment, staff and physician satisfaction, and mandated projects
• Independently assess patients and identify actual and potential nursing diagnoses and patient care needs
• Plan and prioritize culturally, age, and specialty-appropriate care for the identified patient group
• Deliver culturally, age, and specialty-appropriate nursing care
• Perform and report point-of-care testing (POCT)
• Provide and maintain a clean, safe environment and perform or assist others in proper aseptic technique, isolation procedures, and infection control measures
• Serve as a patient advocate
• Develop and report nursing plans of patient care and treatment
• Utilize nursing research and quality improvement to enhance evidence-based practice
• Demonstrate acceptable productivity and practice cost containment
• Complete accurate, concise, and legible documentation on all patient, unit, and hospital records
• Competently utilize electronic forms of communication and documentation
• Implement effective patient and family teaching and assess readiness to learn
• Identify learning needs of self and others; set challenging and realistic goals and develop learning opportunities
• Function as an independent and supportive team member
• Complete the Competency and Clinical Advancement (CCAP) program requirements to achieve and maintain the NC III level
• Complete annual self-evaluation on time using CCAP tools
• Meet periodic UTMB and unit-specific compliance requirements for health screening, training, attendance, safety, and CPR
• Adhere to internal controls and reporting structure
• Take call status and respond to emergencies per policy, including "stay days" and work long and unpredictable hours
• Thrive and maintain collegiality and professionalism during high-stress situations
• Actively invest in and engage in improving or maintaining staff morale and satisfaction

Required Qualifications

• Active RN license in Texas or valid permit to practice in Texas
• Current BLS certification
• Two years of clinical experience in operating room, ICU, Cath Lab, or other procedural areas

Additional Requirements

• Must complete the operating room-specific Competency Based Orientation (CBO) tool satisfactorily within the 6-month probationary period
• Must be able to take call status and respond to emergencies
• Must be able to work long and unpredictable hours
• Must meet periodic health screening, training, attendance, safety, and CPR compliance requirements

Compensation

Salary is commensurate with experience.