Job Description

At Mahaska Health the Surgical Services Float Registered Nurse provides safe, high‑quality patient care across all perioperative areas, including One Day Surgery (ODS), Post‑Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), and the Operating Room (OR) This role supports the full surgical continuum by performing assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care while adapting to the unique workflows and clinical needs of each unit. The Float RN collaborates with interdisciplinary teams, ensures patient readiness for procedures, supports intraoperative care, and provides post‑anesthesia recovery in accordance with Mahaska Health standards, policies, and professional nursing practice.

Essential Job Functions include but are not limited to:

• Provide nursing care utilizing the full nursing process based on patient assessment and identified needs.
• Assess and document physical, psychological, spiritual, and social dimensions of patients.
• Establish treatment priorities and implement individualized plans of care.
• Communicate pertinent patient information to interdisciplinary team members in a timely manner.
• Provide patient and family education regarding procedures, recovery expectations, and discharge instructions.
• Uphold ethical standards, professional conduct, and Mahaska Health’s Standards of Behavior.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA requirements.
• Demonstrate flexibility, multitasking, and resourcefulness in a fast‑moving surgical environment.
• Be flexible and able to multi-task; can work within an ambiguous, fast-moving environment, while also driving toward clarity and solutions; demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities and guiding investment in people and systems.
• Be a role model of the Standards of Behavior set forth by Mahaska Health. Monitors and enforce team compliance to the Standards of Behavior.
• Uphold ethical standards and professional conduct.
• Live out our Culture Experience Book. Be a Servant Hearted Leader who will help solve problems and anticipate difficulties and help us become better by serving in a way that focuses on someone else’s interest instead of your own.
• Adhere to all confidentiality policies, including compliance with HIPAA and Mahaska Health training requirements.
• Maintain a cooperative working relationship with employees, visitors, medical staff, and patients, keeping in mind the person’s unique needs within their age category (refer to Mahaska Health’s Age Specific Standards of Care Policy).
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Attend required staff meetings, in‑service programs, and ongoing training sessions.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support patient care, departmental operations, and organizational goals.

Additional One Day Surgery (ODS) Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Admit, assess, prepare, and educate patients prior to surgery or procedures.
• Verify patient identity, procedure, and surgical site according to hospital policy.
• Complete pre‑operative checklists and ensure readiness for surgery.
• Support patient flow during high‑volume morning admissions and afternoon discharges.
• Provide reassurance and high‑touch interactions with patients and families preparing for same‑day procedures.

Post‑Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Receive and monitor patients recovering from anesthesia.
• Carry out immediate post‑operative orders and utilize PACU care guidelines.
• Assess airway, breathing, circulation, pain, and neurological status.
• Assist patients in returning to a safe physiological level after anesthesia.
• Document interventions and patient responses accurately.
• Perform crash‑cart checks and maintain readiness for emergencies.
• Train new PACU staff when assigned as Primary Nurse.

Operating Room (OR) Responsibilities – Scrub & Circulator include but are not limited to:

• Apply principles of asepsis to maintain a sterile environment.
• Anticipate the needs of the surgical team to expedite procedures and minimize patient exposure.
• Prepare, manage, and understand the use of surgical equipment, instruments, and supplies.
• Assist with surgical counts, positioning, prepping, and intraoperative documentation.
• Identify emergency situations and respond using sound judgment and established protocols.
• Support timely surgical starts and efficient case turnover.
• Participate in PI indicators, proper charging, and statistical record keeping.
• Mentor and orient new OR personnel when assigned.

Job Responsibilities 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. LPN license will be taken into consideration.
• Current Iowa RN/LPN license with minimum 3 years of clinical experience
• Must have strong computer skills
• ONC certification preferred
• Experience with Oncology preferred
• Experience with chemotherapy preferred
• Experience with cancer care patients preferred
• Experience with Epic preferred
• Required to be current in BLS (Basic Life Support) by the standards of the American Heart Association.