Operating Room Lead

Description

Job Purpose:
Promotes and maintains patients’ health and safety by developing day-to-day management and long-term planning of the surgical area; directing and developing staff; collaborating with physicians and multi-disciplinary professional staff; providing physical and psychological support for patients, families, and caregivers. 

Job Overview:
The OR Lead will work closely with the Director of Nursing, physicians, and Practice Manager in the performance and delegation of clinical duties to provide the best care possible to the surgical patients. In addition to assisting with the care of surgical patients, the OR Manager will be responsible for supervising the operations of the operating rooms at Athenix. They will be responsible for maintaining the quality of the ORs, including equipment and supplies, overseeing clinic safety plans and the infection control program, and recognizing and assisting in solving problems within established policies and practices.

Duties/Responsibilities:
The Operating Room Lead Nurse supports safe, efficient, and compliant surgical operations by coordinating daily OR workflow, ensuring accreditation readiness, maintaining equipment and supplies, and upholding high standards of clinical quality and patient safety. This role serves as the primary circulating nurse and works closely with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and clinical staff to ensure optimal patient care before, during, and after surgery.

Clinical & Intraoperative Responsibilities

• Function as the primary circulating nurse during surgical procedures.
• Prepare the operating room for each case, including equipment checks, supply setup, and instrumentation readiness.
• Maintain strict sterile and aseptic technique; support scrub techs when needed.
• Assist anesthesia with patient positioning, induction, and monitoring setup.
• Perform all required safety protocols, including time-outs, fire safety expectations, and surgical counts.
• Verify surgical consent, patient identity, and documentation per AAAHC/Quad A standards.
• Document intraoperative events, implants, medications, equipment usage, and counts accurately.
• Support smooth postoperative transitions and handoffs to PACU.
• Assist with pre-op and PACU recovery as needed.

OR Workflow & Daily Coordination

• Act as day-to-day point person for OR flow, scheduling needs, and case efficiency.
• Monitor case progress, room readiness, and turnover times to support on-time starts.
• Collaborate with anesthesia providers, surgeons, scrub techs, and clinical staff to optimize surgical workflow.
• Work with the surgery scheduler to ensure accurate case planning, estimated procedure times, and optimal OR utilization.
• Coordinate with front office, PCCs, and practice management regarding case details, special requirements, and surgical flow changes.
• Update physician preference cards and postoperative instructions as needed.

Accreditation, Safety & Compliance

• Support and maintain AAAHC or Quad A accreditation standards in daily operations.
• Conduct and document daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual clinical and OR log requirements (e.g., surgical, environment of care, medications, pathology, equipment).
• Oversee crash cart, malignant hyperthermia kit, and emergency equipment; ensure logs are accurate and updated.
• Ensure anesthesia carts are properly stocked in collaboration with anesthesia providers.
• Assist with infection control practices, surveillance, and documentation in partnership with the designated nurse.
• Lead safety rounds, quality checks, and compliance audits.
• Ensure all OR equipment and PACU equipment is functioning properly; troubleshoot basic issues and schedule repairs as needed.
• Participate in quality improvement activities and support meaningful data collection or studies to improve surgical processes.
• Maintain adherence to state regulations, safety protocols, and best practices across perioperative services.
• Ensure narcotic log accuracy in conjunction with physician and anesthesia providers.
• Review and ensure accuracy of clinical logbooks (implant, pathology, surgical, POCT, sterilization, recall, medication, daily OR logs).

Operational & Supply Management

• Monitor and communicate supply levels, implants, medications, and specialty equipment needs.
• Maintain inventory by tracking usage trends and anticipating future supply requirements.
• Coordinate with vendors regarding instrumentation, implants, specialty items, and equipment needs for upcoming cases.
• Manage sterilization logs and ensure instrument trays are processed according to accreditation standards.
• Routinely monitor OR and PACU equipment for safety, maintenance, and compliance.

Patient Safety & Experience

• Provide emotional and psychological support to patients and caregivers in the perioperative environment.
• Review upcoming surgery charts for adequate labs, clearances, tests, and orders to ensure patient readiness for surgery.
• Ensure medical charting is accurate and complete; participate in chart auditing for compliance and quality.
• Participate in patient satisfaction review processes by identifying operational improvements related to OR and perioperative care.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Current California RN license (required).
• 2–3 years of circulating nurse experience; outpatient or plastic surgery preferred.
• BLS and ACLS (required).
• Strong knowledge of OR workflow, aseptic technique, safety standards, and intraoperative nursing care.
• Familiarity with AAAHC or AAAASF (Quad A) accreditation requirements (required or willing to learn).
• Excellent critical thinking, communication, and organizational skills.