OR Nurse Educator

Job Summary

The Surgical Services Nurse Educator is responsible for supporting clinical education and professional development for perioperative staff while maintaining active participation in direct patient care within the operating room. This role serves as a clinical expert, educator, mentor, and preceptor, supporting staff onboarding, competency validation, and ongoing skill development to promote safe, high-quality patient care across Curry Health Network surgical services. The Nurse Educator collaborates with the multidisciplinary care team and participates in regular operating room assignments and on-call rotation as needed to support departmental operations.

Essential Functions

Perioperative Clinical Practice

Provides direct and indirect patient care across the perioperative continuum including pre-anesthesia screening, pre-operative preparation, intra-operative circulating, post-operative monitoring, and discharge planning. Performs patient assessments using appropriate screening tools and clinical judgment to identify patient needs and develop nursing diagnoses. Develops, implements, and evaluates individualized care plans and coordinates interventions, referrals, and patient education. Performs nursing interventions in accordance with evidence-based practice, established protocols, and standards of care while maintaining knowledge of medications, indications, interactions, and contraindications relevant to the patient’s clinical condition. Communicates effectively with surgeons, anesthesia providers, pharmacists, case management, and other members of the multidisciplinary care team to ensure coordinated patient care and optimal outcomes.

Staff Education and Orientation

Designs, implements, and evaluates orientation programs for new perioperative staff, including graduate nurses and nurses transitioning into the operating room environment. Coordinates and facilitates orientation for contracted and travel staff to ensure understanding of Curry Health Network policies, procedures, culture, and expectations. Serves as a clinical mentor and preceptor for perioperative nurses and surgical services staff, providing guidance, coaching, and support to promote clinical competency and successful integration into the department.

Competency and Professional Development

Develops, schedules, and delivers continuing education opportunities including in-services, skills labs, and educational programs based on departmental needs, regulatory requirements, and quality improvement initiatives. Conducts initial and annual competency assessments for perioperative staff, including skills validation and documentation of competency. Maintains and updates educational materials, training resources, and clinical guidelines to support ongoing staff development and adherence to current standards of practice.

Compliance and Department Support

Maintains familiarity with and supports compliance with Curry Health Network policies, procedures, and clinical protocols while ensuring care and documentation meet regulatory and professional standards. Supports departmental quality improvement initiatives and promotes evidence-based practice within surgical services.

Performs other duties as assigned to support departmental operations and organizational goals in alignment with Curry Health Network’s Mission, Vision, and Shared Values.

Shared values

Service

We serve with compassion and understanding.

Teamwork

We are one team – each one of us makes a difference.

Curiosity

We promote learning.

Integrity

We live by honesty, trust, and doing the right thing by our organizational values.

Minimum job requirements

• Education & Experience
• Current Unencumbered Oregon State Registered Nurse Licensure is required. BSN Strongly Preferred.
• Current BLS, ACLS, PALS.
• TNCC (Emergency Nurse Association) or NRP (American Heart Association) and STABLE certifications are preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years experience in perioperative setting required. Demonstrated competency in OR circulation is required. Experience as an educator is preferred

• Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
• Computer skills are required, specifically using MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook); prior use of an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) for documenting in patient records is preferred.
• Excellent communication skills, clinical judgment, critical thinking, and organizational skills.
• A demonstrated ability to work well in high pressure situations is required.
• Represent the organization in a positive and professional manner.

Physical requirements

Physical Demands

On-the-job time is spent in the following physical activities

None of the time: No requirement

Up to 1/3 of the time: Taste or smell

From 1/3 to 1/2 of the time: Sit, Stoop, Kneel

Up 2/3 of the time and more: Stand, walk, talk or hear, use hands to finer, push/pull, reach with hands

This job requires that weight be lifted, or force be exerted as follows

None of the time: up to or more than 100 pounds

Up to 1/3 of the time: up to 50 pounds

From 1/3 to 1/2 of the time: Up to 10 pounds

Up to 2/3 of the time and more: no requirement

This job has special vision requirements as follows

Close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

This job requires exposure to the following environmental conditions

None of the time

Extreme heat/cold; Wet/humid; fumes/airborne particles; work with explosives; vibration; Toxic or caustic chemicals; Risk of electrical shock

Up to 1/3 of the time: Working near moving mechanical parts; outdoor weather; risk of radiation

From 1/3 to 1/2 of the time: no requirement

The typical noise level for the work environment is

very quiet to moderate noise.

Hearing requirements

ability to hear alarms on equipment, patient call and instructions.

This job requires the following repetitive motion actions

0 hours per day: foot control

From 1 – 2 hours per day: grasping: firm/heavy;

From 3 – 4 hours per day No requirement

From 5 – 6 hours per day: No requirement

From 7+ hours per day: hands; grasping: simple, light fine dexterity