Rn- Ortho- Prn

RN Charge Nurse – SSM Health

As an RN Charge Nurse at SSM Health, you will coordinate and deliver compassionate, high‑quality nursing care on an assigned unit within our Catholic, not‑for‑profit health system. You will oversee daily clinical operations, assign and support nursing staff, and serve as a clinical resource to ensure safe, evidence‑based care for patients and families. Working in a collaborative healthcare environment, you will promote a culture of respect and service, mentor team members, support quality and safety initiatives, and contribute to continuous improvement while accessing professional development and growth opportunities.

In this role, you’ll oversee patient assignments, support clinical decision‑making, and ensure safe, high‑quality care aligned with our Catholic, mission‑driven values. Responsibilities include mentoring nursing staff, collaborating with physicians and the care team, and facilitating patient and family communication.

• Accepts patient care assignments as directed. Communicates with clinical area team members appropriately. Correctly conducts all appropriate nursing aspects of patient assessment while using subjective and objective data.
• Communicates effectively with patients to assess their knowledge of surgical/invasive procedure(s) and expectations. Adheres to universal protocol.
• Involves patient/significant others in their plan of care, education, discharge planning and prioritization of needs. Utilizes available teaching resources as appropriate, and identifies/refers patients/families as appropriate.
• Plans for patient care and/or intervenes by demonstrating basic nursing skills, observing and accurately documenting patient’s response to nursing care, utilizing available teaching resources as appropriate, maintaining a safe environment.
• Evaluates care by conducting ongoing assessments to identify effectiveness of interventions, performing post‑op calls following surgical procedures and analyzing verbal responses from patient and family during hospitalization.
• Makes competent clinical decisions and displays the ability to know when to involve management or other team members. Assists in all areas of surgical services as needed.
• Provides information to the physician related to changes in the conditions of patients in a timely manner. Documents the care given to patients and their response to care in a timely manner.
• Correctly and efficiently administers medications, treatments, and nursing interventions as per hospital policy.
• Applies the existing body of evidence‑based practice and scientific knowledge in health care to surgical nursing practice, ensuring that nursing care is delivered based on patient’s age‑specific needs and clinical needs as described in the department’s Scope of Service.
• Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Graduate of accredited school of nursing or education equivalency for licensing

• No experience required

• Constant use of speech to share information through oral communication.
• Constant standing and walking.
• Frequent lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 0‑25 lbs.
• Frequent sitting, reaching and keyboard use/data entry.
• Frequent use of vision and depth perception for distances near (20 inches or less) and far (20 feet or more) and to identify and distinguish colors.
• Frequent use of smell to detect/recognize odors.
• Frequent use of hearing to receive oral communication, distinguish body sounds and/or hear alarms, malfunctioning machinery, etc.
• Occasional lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 25‑50 lbs.
• Occasional lifting/moving of patients.
• Occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, squatting,…