Charge Nurse – PACU RN

Location: Great Falls, Montana |
Schedule: Full-Time, On-Site Clinical Leadership |
Compensation: Hourly rate determined based on documented years of clinical and leadership experience

A premier hospital organization serving a large regional population across Montana is seeking a full-time Charge Nurse to join its perioperative leadership team in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) in Great Falls, Montana. Known for strong nurse-to-patient ratios and a collaborative, safety-focused culture, this facility offers an opportunity for a clinical leader to guide surgical patient care from pre-operative through phase II recovery.

• Oversee and optimize daily patient flow across both the Pre-Operative and PACU clinical areas
• Work varied shifts within operational hours of 6:00 AM - 7:30 PM
• Participate in a shared call rotation (approximately 4 weeknights/month plus 1 weekend every other month)
• Plan, implement, and continuously evaluate clinical care for surgical patients from admission through phase II recovery
• Act as the primary shift leader, managing real-time staffing assignments, surgical schedule adjustments, and daily operational problem-solving
• Ensure all clinical staff consistently adhere to strict patient safety standards and documentation requirements in alignment with CPAN/ASPAN guidelines
• Collaborate daily with the PACU Supervisor and maintain cooperative relationships with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and allied health staff
• Provide clinical direction, mentorship, and support to the Pre-Op/PACU nursing and support team

• Graduate of an accredited nursing program;
  Associate Degree in Nursing required
• Active, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the State of Montana (or immediate compact/endorsement eligibility)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification
• Minimum of 2+ years of dedicated professional nursing experience within a Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
• Strong working knowledge of basic nursing principles, principles of asepsis, and CPAN guidelines for perioperative practice
• Successful completion of pre-employment screenings, including a criminal background check, drug screening, and health/immunization verification

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred
• CPAN or ASPAN national certifications highly desired
• Previous experience working as a Charge Nurse or in a clinical leadership role highly preferred
• Background in Critical Care (ICU) nursing is a strong plus

• Final hourly compensation determined based on documented years of clinical and leadership experience
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance packages
• Robust retirement savings plan with a generous employer matching contribution
• Fully covered medical malpractice insurance
• Generous paid time off (PTO) allocation to support a healthy work-life balance
• Abundant opportunities for continuous education, professional growth, and leadership development
• Benefits package offered for full-time positions; eligible benefits may vary or be prorated for part-time arrangements

This position offers the chance to lead a collaborative perioperative team known for strong nurse-to-patient ratios, while supporting patient care from admission through phase II recovery in a facility committed to safety and continuous professional growth.