NI-RN, Cardiovascular Operating Room (MSN)

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

JOB INFORMATION

Effective Date:

2/27/2026

Entity:

Illinois

Job Code:

NI-21002AC

Job Title:

NI-RN, Cardiovascular Operating Room (MSN)

FLSA Exemption Status:

Non-Exempt

JOB SUMMARY

The RN, Cardiovascular Operating Room (MSN) delivers specialized, high-acuity nursing care to patients undergoing cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgeries or interventions. This role requires advanced clinical knowledge and critical thinking skills to manage all phases of perioperative care, with a strong focus on patient-centered outcomes and recovery. The nurse must be prepared to respond to life-threatening emergencies such as cardiac arrest, arrhythmias, and major vascular bleeding. Working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary surgical team, the RN, Cardiovascular Operating Room (MSN) supports complex procedures—including open, minimally invasive cardiac, robotic, and thoracic surgeries, as well as advanced vascular and endovascular interventions—ensuring safety, precision, and optimal outcomes in a high-pressure environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

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Delivers high-quality, evidence-based care to patients undergoing complex cardiac, thoracic, and vascular surgeries, ensuring the best possible outcomes. Acts as an expert resource to general team members for vascular procedures & equipment and anesthesia-related lines. Constantly monitors and helps manage critical intraoperative events.

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Collaborates with the surgical team to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate the intraoperative care plan, taking into account handoff information and patient and family input.

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Prepares the cardiovascular operating room by assembling specialty equipment, supplies, and implants, ensuring functionality and availability for the procedure.

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Provides compassionate, developmentally appropriate, and culturally sensitive care, addressing the unique needs of both patients and their families during the perioperative period.

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Performs all aspects of care in an environment that optimizes patient and environmental safety and in accordance with applicable laws, and compliance efforts.

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Demonstrates proficiency in assisting with both open and robotic heart & thoracic procedures, ensuring safe and effective positioning, protection from injury, and optimal exposure of the surgical site.

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Actively participates in the Universal Protocol and surgical timeout procedures, including conducting a fire risk assessment with the surgical team. Completes post-procedure pauses to ensure patient safety at the conclusion of each case.

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Maintains working knowledge of cardiopulmonary bypass and ECMO, balloon pump, cell saver, Impella, defibrillators, hemodynamic monitors, assisting the team with the rapid deployment and management of these technologies when necessary.

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Ensures that sterile procedures are followed throughout the course of surgery, necessary equipment and medications are available for the operating room team, record progress and outcomes of surgical procedures and ensure proper handling of specimens.

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Follows established protocols for instrument counts and take corrective action if discrepancies occur. Verifies the accuracy of medications, concentrations, and expiration dates on the sterile field with the surgical team.

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Stays informed on the latest best practices and developments in cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgery and share new information or changes in care with the healthcare team.

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Supports emergency surgical interventions and be available for on-call duties as needed.

As needed, additional responsibilities reasonably within the scope of duties and physical requirements may be assigned.  ALL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS MUST BE PERFORMED CONSISTENT WITH THE UW HEALTH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND RESPECT FOR PEOPLE COMMITTMENTS.

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Clinical

Will provide all patients age and culturally appropriate assessment/screening and interpretation of clinical and laboratory data. Develops and implements age appropriate interventional plans of care including education within the parameters of their position responsibilities and licensure

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Graduate from an accredited school of nursing program.

Required

Master's degree in nursing.

Required

Must provide copy of HS diploma or equivalent, or highest level of completed degree obtained.

Required

A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in a  cardiovascular operating room or as a RN.

Preferred

Prior experience in robotic surgical systems and endovascular suites.

Preferred

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in Illinois. 

Required

Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. 

Required

Prior to March 1, 2026 there was no Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) requirement and after March 1, 2026 require the ACLS within one year of hire.

Required

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.

Preferred

Specialty certification in area of concentration.

Preferred

LICENSE, CERTIFICATIONS, AND REGISTRATIONS MUST BE MAINTAINED PER UW HEALTH POLICY. 

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Strong understanding of cardiovascular and cardiothoracic anatomy, hemodynamics, and pharmacology.

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Proficient in minimally invasive approaches including thoracoscopic and laparoscopic procedures.

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Expertise in open cardiothoracic surgeries (e.g., CABG, valve replacements, aortic dissections).

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Knowledge of endovascular procedures and hybrid vascular repairs.

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Strong critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills.

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Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.

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Ability to direct ancillary and assistive staff and organize work assignments.

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Demonstrates leadership skills.

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Ability to provide exceptional customer service to all customers of the organization.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

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Sedentary: Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Up to 10 lbs.

Negligible Weight

No Weight

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Light: Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may be very little, a job is in this category when it requires a good deal of walking or standing, or when it involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls. To be considered capable of performing a full or wide range of light work, you must have the ability to do substantially all of these activities. If someone can do light work, we determine that they can also do sedentary work, unless there are additional limiting factors such as loss of fine dexterity or inability to sit for long periods of time.

11-25 lbs.

1 - 10 lbs.

Negligible weight

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Medium: Medium work involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds. If someone can do medium work, we determine that they can also do sedentary and light work.

26-50 lbs.

11-25 lbs.

1 - 10 lbs.

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Heavy: Heavy work involves lifting no more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds. If someone can do heavy work, we determine that they can also do medium, light, and sedentary work.

51-100 lbs.

26-50 lbs.

11-25 lbs.

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Very Heavy: Very heavy work involves lifting objects weighing more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing 50 pounds or more. If someone can do very heavy work, we determine that they can also do heavy, medium, light, and sedentary work.

Over 100 lbs.

Over 50 lbs.

Over 25 lbs.

Other - list any other physical requirements or bona fide occupational qualifications not indicated above:

Over 50 lbs.

UW Health does not require, nor does it expect that its employees lift more than 50 lbs unassisted. Objects in excess of 50 lbs should be lifted or moved with mechanical means or through a team lift. Employees in patient care areas are expected to utilize mechanical lifts and adhere to the "Use of Mechanical Lifts (Liko)" policy in the Patient Services Policy and Procedure Manual.

Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.

THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE ABLE TO COMPLETE ALL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB WITH OR WITHOUT AN APPROVED ACCOMODATION. Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.