PACU Charge Nurse; RN

Location:
The Richland Hospital – Richland Center, WI

Schedule: 1.0 FTE M-F

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.

• 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 elevate 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

• 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

• 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