Job Description

At Mahaska Health, a Surgical Services Registered Nurse is responsible for delivery of patient care through the nursing process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Coordinates patient education, and activities of interdisciplinary personnel while maintaining standards of professional nursing in accordance with the established methods and procedures of Mahaska Health.

Hours: Full-time (Daily 4 - 10 hour days) (Tuesday's Off)

We are searching for a candidate who will work primary in the Operating Room, with the possibility to float to PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit) as needed.

Essential job responsibilities include but are not limited to,

• Provides Nursing Care to Patients Utilizing the Nursing Process Determined by The Patients Assessed Needs.
• Assess and document physical, psychological, spiritual, and social dimensions of patients on admission.
• Establish treatment priorities based on medical and nursing diagnosis.
• Initiate, implement, and modify an interdisciplinary plan of care individualized to each patients assessed needs including family.
• Utilize all available resources in planning care and consultations as necessary with physicians, supervisors, and interdisciplinary services.
• Provide ongoing reassessment and documentation of patient's status.
• Perceive patient problems and/or complications through assessment skills and implement appropriate action.
• Document nursing intervention and patient response.
• Implement clinical and technical aspects of care and nursing orders in accordance with established standards.
• Safely prepare, administer, and document medications and IV therapy.
• Assess possible discharge needs at time of admission, throughout hospitalization, and finalize discharge planning with input from the interdisciplinary team, the patient, patient’s family, and other available resources.
• Assess for and provide patient and family education at their level of understanding regarding disease process and treatment plan.
• Utilize charting methods as approved by Mahaska Health.
• Accurately transcribe and communicate oral and written physician orders.
• Communicate pertinent information regarding patient’s status to appropriate interdisciplinary team members, in a timely manner.
• Assist in the mentoring and orientation of new personnel to unit.
• Dedication to customer service for patients, families, visitors, physicians, and co-workers throughout the partnership.
• Anticipate the needs of the surgical team in order to expedite the procedure, thus minimizing the patient’s exposure to trauma.
• Prepare and know the specific uses of all equipment and supplies for surgical procedures.
• Apply the principles of asepsis in a knowledgeable manner to provide optimal patient care.
• Identify emergency situations and use sound judgment in instituting established procedures. Correct situation in a calm and efficient manner.
• Develop initiative to acquire and explore new surgical procedures and subjects relating to the operating room and to the surgical patients.
• Understands the actions and use of anesthetic agents.
• Develop and improve skills in the surgical team and in the organization of work by learning to use economy in time, motion, and materials.
• Recognize limits of individual responsibilities.
• Recognize and clearly understand that each individual is totally responsible for his or her actions.
• Differential sterilization methods for special equipment and instruments for specific surgical procedures.

Job Requirements include but are not limited to,

• A graduate from an accredited school of nursing and currently licensed as a Registered Nurse in the state of Iowa (or) a graduate from an accredited school of nursing and currently licensed as a Registered Nurse able to work in the state of Iowa.
• Two years of surgical services experience preferably.
• On call will be required for this position in addition to scheduled hours. Must be able to respond within 20 minutes when on call.
• Required to be certified in ALS (Advanced Life Support) and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) within 1 year of hire.
• Required to be current in BLS (Basic Life Support) by the standards of the American Heart Association.
• Will be required to show proof of having completed Mandatory Reporter course at the time of hire or attend within 6 months of the start date.
• Must adhere to all training requirements as mandated by Federal, State, and Professional licensure and regulatory standards.

The work environment includes, but is not limited to:

• Work is performed in a well‑lighted, well‑ventilated hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, or specialty surgical suites.
• Managing a workflow that may involve high‑stress or fast‑paced situations, particularly in emergency or peak‑volume periods.
• Constant collaboration with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and surgical techs.
• Multiple cases per day, rapid turnover, and time‑sensitive tasks.
• Standing for long periods, lifting equipment, and maintaining focus in high‑intensity situations.
• Frequent but short-term interactions before and after procedures.
• Frequent interaction with patients, families, clinical staff, and other hospital departments.
• Scheduled hours generally follow the posted departmental schedule, though extended hours may be required during periods of high patient volume or staffing needs.
• Position may require working holidays, weekends, and occasional on‑call shifts depending on hospital operations.