MARIA CHIHAK
Tucson,AZ
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Operating Room Registered Nurse (RN) with a well-built scrubbing background experience. Committed to patient advocacy, with progressive career history. Proven to remain calm under pressure, skillfully handle difficult and high-stress situations. Providing individualized patient care through empathetic communication, respectful attitude and excellent customer service.
ACLS, PALS RQI certified by American Heart Association; Obtained da Vinci System Training; With OR Charge Nurse, scrubbing and circulating nurse experience in Trauma/General, Urology, Ortho, Thoracic, Neuro, ENT, GYN/OB, Pediatric, Robotic and Laparoscopic Assisted surgeries in acute care setting of trauma one level hospital. Seeking a challenging position in a reputable teaching hospital/ surgery department where I can learn new skills, expand my knowledge and experience. Looking to get an opportunity where I can make the best of my potential bringing safe and efficient patient-centered care; Looking to contribute to the organization’s and professional growth.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
2008
2008
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Operating Room Registered Nurse
Banner University Medical Center Tucson
Tucson, AZ
03.2025 - Current
- Assisted in preoperative assessments and patient preparations for surgical procedures.
- Collaborated with surgical teams to ensure smooth operating room workflows.
- Maintained sterile environments and adhered to infection control protocols.
- Documented patient information accurately in electronic health records systems.
- Trained and mentored new nursing staff on operating room protocols.
- Coordinated with other departments to facilitate timely surgeries and patient transfers.
- Collaborated with surgeons, anesthesiologists and other healthcare professionals to provide optimal care for patients.
- Assisted physicians with intraoperative procedures including specimen collection and tissue manipulation.
- Maintained a sterile environment in the operating room by adhering to aseptic techniques.
- Prepared operating rooms by setting out and verifying equipment and assessing for compliance with asepsis standards.
- Managed instrumentation during surgical cases, ensuring proper functioning of equipment at all times.
- Ensured appropriate positioning of patients on operating table prior to surgery.
- Assisted with preparation of supplies, instruments and equipment for surgical procedures as necessary.
- Observed body language, movement, and demeanor to anticipate surgeon's needs and maintain procedure sterility during operation.
- Discussed surgical patients with healthcare team to address and resolve concerns.
- Actively participated in quality improvement initiatives aimed at improving patient outcomes within the OR setting.
- Initiated emergency resuscitative measures when indicated in the event of complications or unexpected outcomes.
- Handled laboratory specimens and inspected containers for correct packaging and labeling.
- Utilized effective communication strategies when interacting with family members or other health team members.
- Assisted surgical team in donning sterile gowns, gloves, and masks to maintain a sterile environment.
RN Clinician 2 - Main OR
UVA Health
Charlottesville, VA
10.2024 - 03.2025
- Worked with a team of nationally recognized physicians, nurses, surgeons, and specialists known for their quality of care, positive outcomes, innovative treatments, technologies, and research at UVA Main Hospital- Main OR.
- Circulated and scrubbed, depending on assignment in various procedures in Trauma/General, Ortho, Spine, Breast/Plastics, Urology, Thoracic, Neuro, ENT, GYN/OB, Pediatric, Robotic and Laparascopic Assisted surgeries.
- Encompassed clinical assessment, planning, prioritizing, coordinating and implementation of patient care.
- Encompassed professional development through formal education, professional certification, internal and external learning opportunities.
- Supported onboarding of new team members.
- Adhered to clinical documentation guidelines, comprehension of outcomes data, engagement in performance improvement activities and commitment to standard work.
- Applied technologies that support patient care, actively seeking to implement evidence based practice.
Operating Room Registered Nurse
Banner University Medical Center Tucson
Tucson, AZ
10.2023 - 09.2024
- Worked with some of Banner Health's finest Surgeons and Nurses in Trauma One Level University Hospital Tucson- Surgery Department
- Assist surgeons, scrub or circulate depending on assignment in various procedures in Trauma/General, Breast/Plastics, Urology, Ortho, Thoracic, Neuro, ENT, GYN/OB, Pediatric, Robotic and Laparascopic Assisted surgeries
- Investing in the overall forward movement of surgery department and the organization
- Applying good interpersonal and communication process utilizing verbal and non-verbal skills to achieve organizational service goals of customer satisfaction and a positive work environment
- Participating in the training and orientation of nursing staff and surgical technology staff and students
- Proficient to circulate and scrub of 12 surgical specialties.
Intraop Certified Surgical Technologist/ Surgery Department
Banner University Medical Center Tucson
Tucson, United States of America
03.2020 - 10.2023
- Worked with some of Banner Health's finest Surgeons and Nurses in Trauma One Level University Hospital
- Assisted surgeons in various procedures in Trauma/General, Breast/Plastics, Urology, Ortho, Thoracic, Neuro, ENT, GYN/OB, Pediatric, Robotic and Laparascopic Assisted surgeries
- Invested in the overall forward movement of surgery department and the organization
- Applied good interpersonal and communication process utilizing verbal and non-verbal skills to achieve organizational service goals of customer satisfaction and a positive work environment
- Participated in the training and orientation of surgical technology staff and students
- Proficient to scrub of 12 surgical specialties.
Licensed Patient Care Assistant/ Medical Intensive Care Unit
Banner University Medical Center Tucson
Tucson, United States of America
02.2019 - 03.2020
Pediatric Nurse/ Pediatric Gastroenterology Care Unit for children 4 weeks- 12 months of age
IMSP Spitalul Clinic Municipal de Copii Nr1
Chisinau city, Republic of Moldova
02.2010 - 06.2012
- Worked with some of finest Pediatricians and Nurses in Pediatric Clinical Hospital in Chisinau City, Moldova
- Applied good interpersonal and communication process utilizing verbal and non-verbal skills working with muldisciplinary team and educating parents of pediatric patients on their needs
- Completed nursing assessment of infants physical, psychological, developmental, cultural needs
- Reviewed patient history and physical
- Reviewed available information obtained by other health care team members
- Reviewed diagnostics and laboratory data and reported abnormal results to the physician(s) and other appropriate caregivers
- Completed assessment and reassessments according to patient need and as outlined in policy
- Prepared procedure rooms for infants examinations
- Documented patients' vitals, weight, stool chart, intake and output
- Assessed, monitored and documented patient's temperature, pulse and respiratory rate; monitored and assessed infants' condition, signs and symptoms, reaction to drugs, improvements or decline, reporting to physician
- Explained treatment procedures, medications, healthy diets, hydration treatment to the parents, educated parents/ caretakers
- Administered IV treatments, oral medications as ordered by pediatrcian, documented in MAR
- Collected blood, urine, stool and sputum in infants, correct specimen labeling
- Directed multidisciplinary diagnostic testing and consulting in infants as ordered.
Neonatal Nurse/ Surgical Nurse
IMSP Maternitatea Municipala Nr.2
Chisinau City, Republic of Moldova
07.2007 - 08.2009
- Depending on shift assiginment working in a Level 2 Matrernity, I could work as a scrub nurse or to be assigned in delivery room/postpartum unit as neonatal nurse for the day/night shift
- As a scrub nurse my duties included: Assisted surgeons in C-Sections and other OB/GYN emergency surgical interventions
- Sterilized instruments following facility policies and procedures, obtained instrument trays and sterile supplies for surgeries, checked equipment is in working order; stocked OR rooms with sterile supplies for surgical procedures
- Maintained strictest standarts of sterile techniques during surgeries
- Passed instruments, supplies to surgeon, handled specimens, samples and discarded tissues, prepared sterile dressings and secured dressing after incisional closure
- Assisted in OR turn over, decontaminating equipment
- Preparing OR, equipment, supplies for the following surgical case
- Documented surgical procedure in patients chart
- As a neonatal nurse: Assisted physicians in delivery room with neonatal cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- Met immediate needs of a neonate/newborn: clearing airway, ventilation and oxygenation, physical stimulation and apllying warming chain principle in postnatal care of newborn
- Assessed, monitored and documented vitals, weight, height, head and chest circumference, temperature, oxygen saturation and overall newborn wellbeing
- Performed daily newborn nursing assessments, specimen collections
- Administration of Hep B and vit K
- Provided postpartum nursing support to both newborn and mother, and family
- Assissted with lactation and provided education on breastfeeeding
- Recognised physiological critical transitions in newborn and observed for abnormal signs.
Education
Associate, RN Nursing Program- Associate Degree -
Pima Medical Institute Tucson
Tucson, AZSurgical Technology Program -
Pima Community College Tucson
Tucson, AZForeign Languages:English Literature/English Language/German Language -
Universitatea De Stat Din Moldova
Chisinau, Republic of MoldovaNational College of Medicine And Pharmacy
Chisinau, Republic of MoldovaHigh school or equivalent, Biology -
Liceum Theoretic 'Titu Maiorescu'
Chisinau, Republic of MoldovaSkills
Team-oriented, collaboration and communication; OR Charge RN trained
- Surgical assistance
- Aseptic techniques
- Electronic health records
- Operating room management
- Clinical assessment
- Quality improvement
- Emergency response
- Infection control
- Conflict resolution
- Staff training
- Multidisciplinary coordination
- Time management
- Patient advocacy
- Preoperative checklists
- Circulating nurse skills
- Operating room safety
- Scrub nurse skills
- Instrument passing
- Blood transfusion
- IV insertion
- Basic life support
- Advanced cardiac life support
- HIPAA compliance
- Patient and family advocacy
Languages
Russian
Romanian
Timeline
Operating Room Registered Nurse
Banner University Medical Center Tucson
03.2025 - Current
RN Clinician 2 - Main OR
UVA Health
10.2024 - 03.2025
Operating Room Registered Nurse
Banner University Medical Center Tucson
10.2023 - 09.2024
Intraop Certified Surgical Technologist/ Surgery Department
Banner University Medical Center Tucson
03.2020 - 10.2023
Licensed Patient Care Assistant/ Medical Intensive Care Unit
Banner University Medical Center Tucson
02.2019 - 03.2020
Pediatric Nurse/ Pediatric Gastroenterology Care Unit for children 4 weeks- 12 months of age
IMSP Spitalul Clinic Municipal de Copii Nr1
02.2010 - 06.2012
Neonatal Nurse/ Surgical Nurse
IMSP Maternitatea Municipala Nr.2
07.2007 - 08.2009
Associate, RN Nursing Program- Associate Degree -
Pima Medical Institute Tucson
Surgical Technology Program -
Pima Community College Tucson
Foreign Languages:English Literature/English Language/German Language -
Universitatea De Stat Din Moldova
National College of Medicine And Pharmacy
High school or equivalent, Biology -
Liceum Theoretic 'Titu Maiorescu'