Operative Services (OR)

The surgical suites at UAB provide cutting edge technology in surgery. Nurses are involved with exciting surgical techniques, such as robotics, endovascular surgery, living-related transplants and a host of other specialties.

Patient Population

• Adults and Pediatrics
• Cardiovascular, Vascular, Transplant, Trauma
• Gastrointestinal, Oncology, Endocrinology
• Gynecology, Neurology, Orthopedics, Spinal
• Head/Neck, Otolaryngology, Plastics
• Thoracic and Urology

Number of Surgical Suites

• 32

Nurse/Patient Ratio

• 1:1, RN circulator in each OR

Rotation/Shifts

• 8, 10, and 12 hour shifts with variable start times
• Weekend option for experienced staff
• Flexible, self-scheduling

Skill Mix

• Registered Nurse circulator in each room
• Surgical Tech or Registered Nurse supports circulator
• Nurses may work in either scrub or circulating roles

Nursing Unit Orientation

• Offered for both novices and experienced nurses
• Didactic classes plus a 4- to 6-month introduction to all services
• Individualized orientation incorporates past experience
• Managers, educators and preceptors support individual learning needs