OR / PACU Charge Nurse (RN)

Location:

The Richland Hospital -

Richland Center, WI Schedule:

1.0 FTE M-F Position Summary The OR/PACU Charge Nurse provides clinical, operational, and leadership oversight for the Operating Room (OR) and Post‑Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) during daily hours of operation and on‑call periods. This role is a hands‑on perioperative leader and generalist, balancing charge nurse responsibilities with direct patient care. In our rural hospital setting, the OR/PACU Charge Nurse ensures safe surgical and recovery care, efficient patient flow, regulatory compliance, and strong collaboration across perioperative services while supporting staff, surgeons, and anesthesia providers. Essential Duties & Responsibilities Core competency is demonstrated by the ability to carry out the following responsibilities: Provide shift oversight of nursing care delivery and adherence to standards, policies, and procedures Supervise staff and offer professional coaching, feedback, and support Assess patient care activities and the environment to identify continuous improvement opportunities Coordinate daily staffing based on surgeon block schedules and departmental needs Serve as a clinical resource expert for perioperative nursing care and procedures Assist with challenging situations through effective communication, de‑escalation, and risk mitigation; utilize debriefing processes and escalate concerns to the Surgery Director as appropriate Anticipate patient, staff, and team needs to improve outcomes and operational efficiency Problem‑solve and adjust staffing to maintain safe, effective operations Support orientation and preceptorship of new staff Provide direct patient care in the OR and PACU as needed while balancing charge nurse responsibilities Conduct and facilitate staff huddles in the manager's absence Address surgeon and CRNA needs to support efficient surgical services Maintain comprehensive working knowledge of unit policies, procedures, and available resources Act as a liaison to medical staff and collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary departments Assist with evaluation and utilization of clinical equipment Adhere to and promote the 7 C's among team members Perform other duties as assigned Qualifications Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing Minimum of 1 year combined OR and PACU experience, or equivalent; rural or community hospital experience preferred Demonstrated ability to work independently and lead effectively in low‑resource settings Current BLS required ACLS and PALS required within six months of hire Why Join The Richland Hospital? Make a meaningful impact in a close‑knit rural healthcare setting Work in a collaborative, team‑oriented environment Opportunity to lead while remaining hands‑on in patient care Supportive leadership focused on quality, safety, and staff development