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Circulating Nurse Jobs (NOW HIRING)

About the Role The Per Diem Circulating RN plays a vital role in supporting patients through their fertility journey by delivering exceptional care in the surgical suite. This position is ideal for ...

Circulating Nurse, OR

Provo, UT

$35.25 - $48/hr

Provo area surgery center is seeking a circulating nurse (RN) to ensure the delivery of safe, efficient, caring service pertinent to individual needs of surgery patients. This individual will act as ...

Circulating Nurse Location: Valentine NE Position: Full-Time Benefit Eligible: Yes Report To: Operating Room Manager Cherry County Hospital is seeking an experienced Operating Room Registered Nurse ...

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Circulating Nurse information

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How much do circulating nurse jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for circulating nurse in the United States is $44.50, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32.93 and $56.73 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Circulating Nurse vs Scrub Nurse?

AspectCirculating NurseScrub Nurse
CredentialsRN license, perioperative trainingRN license, perioperative training
Work EnvironmentOperating room, overseeing proceduresOperating room, assisting directly in surgery
RoleManages patient care, supplies, and documentationPrepares sterile instruments, assists surgeon directly

Both roles are vital in the operating room and require RN licensure with perioperative training. The circulating nurse oversees patient safety and supplies, while the scrub nurse focuses on sterile instrument handling. Understanding these differences helps clarify their distinct responsibilities during surgery.

What Does a Circulating Nurse Do?

A circulating nurse works inside the operating room as a patient advocate. As the circulating nurse, your responsibilities are to ensure the operative procedures have the patient's best interest in mind. You perform your duties outside of the sterile area in the operating room. You work in collaboration with the anesthesiologist, surgeon, and surgical assistants to create a comfortable and safe environment for the patient. You are also responsible for charting the surgical events and keeping an inventory of supplies and equipment used for the procedure.

What are circulating nurses and what do they do?

Circulating nurses are registered nurses who work in operating rooms, where they manage the overall environment and ensure that surgical procedures run smoothly. Unlike scrub nurses who work within the sterile field, circulating nurses remain outside the sterile area, coordinating care, handling supplies, maintaining documentation, and acting as a liaison between the surgical team and other hospital staff. Their responsibilities include patient assessment, ensuring equipment is available and functioning, and advocating for patient safety throughout surgery. They play a crucial role in infection control and making sure all protocols are followed. Circulating nurses are essential to the surgical team's efficiency and the patient's safety.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Circulating Nurse, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Circulating Nurse, you need a solid nursing background with a current RN license, strong knowledge of surgical procedures, and operating room protocols. Familiarity with perioperative documentation systems and safety checklists, as well as Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certifications, is crucial. Excellent communication, organization, and critical thinking skills help Circulating Nurses coordinate surgical teams and respond to dynamic situations. These competencies ensure patient safety, efficient surgical workflows, and adherence to strict sterile procedures in the operating room.

How does a Circulating Nurse typically collaborate with the surgical team during procedures?

A Circulating Nurse plays a critical role in supporting the surgical team by acting as the primary liaison between the sterile field and the rest of the operating room. They ensure that all surgical instruments, supplies, and documentation are readily available, and they coordinate communication among surgeons, scrub nurses, and anesthesia providers. This collaboration helps maintain patient safety, workflow efficiency, and adherence to protocols throughout the procedure. Effective teamwork and strong communication skills are essential for success in this role.
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Infographic showing various Circulating Nurse job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 67% Full Time, and 30% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,550 per year, or $44.5 per hour.
PRN Circulating Nurse (72762)

PRN Circulating Nurse (72762)

Orthopedic Associates of Lancaster

Lancaster, PA • On-site

Other

Posted 11 days ago


Orthopedic Associates Of Lancaster rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Join Our Team at Orthopedic Associates of Lancaster (OAL)

At Orthopedic Associates of Lancaster (OAL), we’re more than just a medical practice—we’re a trusted part of the community. For generations, families across Central Pennsylvania have turned to us for expert orthopedic care delivered with compassion, innovation, and integrity.

With five convenient locations—Lancaster, Willow Street, Manheim (at the Spooky Nook Sports Complex), Lebanon, and Ephrata—OAL offers a dynamic and patient-centered work environment. We’re proud to be consistently recognized for our cutting-edge technology, advanced procedures, and warm, professional staff. Our team includes not only leading orthopedic physicians and surgeons but also dedicated professionals across clinical and administrative roles who make exceptional care possible every day.

OAL is privately owned by our surgeons and supported by a team of 400+ employees who share a commitment to excellence. At our Lancaster and Lebanon campuses, we operate our own outpatient orthopedic surgery center—NPSC—where we perform a wide range of surgeries, including total joint replacements, using the most advanced techniques available.

When you join OAL, you're joining a respected organization where your work makes a difference. Whether you’re clinical, clerical, or somewhere in between, we offer a culture of collaboration, opportunity, and purpose—all in service of helping people live stronger, healthier lives.

Location: The per diem Circulating Nurse may be expected to provide coverage in both our Lancaster and Lebanon outpatient surgery centers.

Job Summary

Responsible for the delivery of safe, effective, and quality patient-family centered care in the OR and other areas of perioperative services for all patient populations. Functions as a first and/or second assistant during the surgical episode, including incision, excision, repair of pathology, and wound closure throughout the perioperative period on procedures for which privileges have been granted.

NOTE: Circ RN to assist with Surg Tech coverage in the OR setting as identified by OR management. Expectation is for the Circ RN to rotate through Surg Tech to ensure continued competency.

Responsibilities:

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Promotes the mission, vision, and values of the organization.

  • Assesses patients at intervals as stated in policies and procedures.

  • Develops an individualized perioperative patient plan of care.

  • Participates in a professional organization

  • Collaborates effectively with other disciplines as appropriate.

  • Maintains competency, regulatory, credentialing, privileging requirements.

  • Participates in quality review and performance improvement projects.

  • Acts as a patient advocate and maintains patient privacy and confidentiality.

  • Other duties as required and assigned.

Circulator RN Responsibilities:

  • Protecting the patient from injury caused by chemical, electrical, laser, mechanical, and thermal sources and extraneous objects.

  • Performing accounting procedures to protect the patient from unintended retained surgical items.

  • Performing interventions necessary to ensure that the patient’s procedure is performed on the correct site, side, and level.

  • Managing the patient’s specimens in the appropriate manner.

  • Communicating the patient’s current status to the appropriate parties throughout the continuum of care.

  • Administering medications safely and correctly.

  • Performing interventions to maintain the patient’s wound and tissue perfusion at or above baseline levels.

  • Performing interventions to maintain the status of the patient’s genitourinary, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, endocrine, respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems and fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balances at or above baseline levels.

  • Performing interventions to ensure the patient is at or returned to normothermia at the conclusion of the immediate postoperative period.

  • Performing interventions to protect the patient from surgical site infection.

  • Assessing the knowledge level of the patient or designated support person.

  • Providing education regarding the expected psychosocial response, nutritional management, medication management, pain management, wound management, and expected responses to the operational or invasive procedure.

  • Actively involving the patient or designated support person in decisions affecting his or her perioperative plan of care and the rehabilitation process.

  • Protecting the patient’s rights, dignity, and privacy.

  • Providing culturally and age-appropriate, ethical care within legal standards of practice.

  • Providing consistent and comparable care regardless of the setting.

  • Implements the plan of care by:

    • Evaluates the patient’s progress toward attaining outcomes.

    • Transfers care as appropriate.

    • Delegates tasks as appropriate according to the state Nurse Practice Act and job descriptions.

    • Documents of nursing care accurately, completely, and legibly.

  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Surgical Tech Responsibilities:

  • Promotes a safe surgical environment and patient experience by:

    • Setting up the operating room prior to surgery in a timely manner ensures that all items for each procedure are available in the room.

    • Stocking surgical supplies.

      • Notifies Materials Manager when supplies need reordered

      • Monthly rotating stock to eliminate out dates

      • Assists with physical inventory count as directed

  • Maintaining Sterile and Aseptic environment through proper:

    • Maintaining standards of practice for sterilization of instruments and implants.

    • Opening of supplies and set-up of case.

    • Use of gowns, gloves, and other proper surgical attire.

    • Passing instruments to surgeons during surgery.

    • Terminal cleaning of surfaces and other supplies

  • Checking surgical machines and equipment prior to each procedure to ensure proper functioning.

  • Active participation in Time Out/Universal Protocol.

  • Preparing patients for surgery:

    • Adapts procedures to meet the individual needs of the patient.

    • Provides the patient with verbal reassurance as necessary.

    • Ensures the use of proper positioning to prevent injury.

    • Assists with positioning, prepping, and draping of the patient.

  • Anticipates the needs of the surgeon during the intraoperative phase.

  • Accurately completes counts (instruments, sponges, needles):

    • Follows proper procedure in case of incorrect counts.

    • Reports on all discrepancies to circulating registered nurse and surgeon.

    • Immediately take corrective action.

    • Transporting patients to and from surgery.

  • Completes documentation to ensure compliance with standards, policies, and procedures.

  • Demonstrates competence in care of specimens and accurately always handles specimens.

  • Provides competent and ethical care within legal standards of practice as applicable by:

    • Recognizing safety hazards and initiating appropriate preventative and corrective actions.

    • Providing the surgeon, the appropriate instruments, retractors, suctioning, and sponging technique.

    • Works as a professional colleague with the perioperative team and influences multidisciplinary relationships by enhancing collaborative processes.

  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

  • Graduate from an accredited school of nursing is required.
  • Current registered nurse licensure in the State of Pennsylvania is required.
  • Basic Computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Word) required.
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification required after one year.
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification required after two years.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Two years perioperative service experience or related healthcare experience is preferred.
  • Bachelor’s degree in nursing, healthcare or related field is preferred.
  • Certified Nurse, Operating Room (CNOR); Orthopedic Nurse Certified (ONC); or other related nursing certification preferred.
  • Graduate of an accredited schools’ program for surgical technologist.

Our Commitment to Inclusivity:

At OAL and its affiliated organizations, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace environment. Discrimination against qualified individuals based on protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation/gender identity, or any other legally protected category is strictly prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We actively engage in affirmative action initiatives to recruit, hire, and promote individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation/gender identity, protected veteran status, or disability.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Compliance:

We are committed to ensuring accessibility for all users on our website. If you encounter any accessibility issues or require assistance with the application process, please contact our Human Resources department at HR@fixbones.com.


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