OR Charge RN

Department: Nursing/Clinical Operations
Reports To: Director of Nursing
FLSA Status: Exempt (Salaried)
Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Director of Nursing, the Operating Room (OR) Charge Nurse is responsible for providing clinical leadership and operational oversight of the Operating Room and Central Sterile/Sterile Processing departments. This role ensures the effective implementation of the center's mission, policies, procedures, and standards while promoting exceptional patient care, regulatory compliance, staff development, and operational efficiency.

The OR Charge Nurse supervises all personnel assigned to the Operating Room and Sterile Processing departments and is responsible for patient care management, staffing, employee relations, and clinical financial management of surgical services. In the absence of the Director of Nursing, the OR Charge Nurse assumes administrative decision-making authority for the center.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Staff Management

• Communicate and promote the center's mission, vision, values, and departmental goals.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and guidance to Operating Room and Sterile Processing staff.
• Supervise, train, orient, and mentor employees assigned to the OR and Central Sterile departments.
• Conduct annual performance evaluations and competency assessments.
• Participate in recruitment, interviewing, hiring, corrective action, and termination processes in coordination with the Director of Nursing and Human Resources.
• Foster a positive work environment through effective communication, conflict resolution, and employee engagement.

Staffing & Scheduling

• Develop and maintain staffing schedules, daily assignments, on-call schedules, lunches, and break coverage.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels based on surgical schedules, patient acuity, and operational needs.
• Coordinate OR case scheduling with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and front office staff to optimize patient flow and block utilization.

Clinical & Operational Oversight

• Provide operational oversight of the Central Sterile/Sterile Processing department.
• Ensure compliance with sterilization standards, manufacturer instructions, and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in decisions related to capital equipment purchases, new technologies, and surgical service line planning.
• Collaborate with the Materials Manager to:
• Manage inventory levels and par levels
• Coordinate consignment and special-order items
• Minimize waste and expired inventory
• Support cost-control initiatives

Financial & Quality Management

• Demonstrate fiscal accountability and manage assigned budgets and resources.
• Monitor departmental metrics, including hours per case and supply expenses.
• Support and implement cost-savings initiatives.
• Participate in:
• Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI)
• Infection Prevention
• Safety Programs
• Medication Management Committees
• Complete benchmarking reports, scorecards, and meeting documentation in a timely manner.

Additional Responsibilities

• Collaborate with other centers on organizational initiatives and process improvements as needed.
• Maintain knowledge of all applicable healthcare regulations and accreditation standards.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Education & Experience

• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing.
• Current, active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the applicable state.
• Minimum of five (5) years of Operating Room nursing experience.
• Orthopedic surgical experience required.
• Previous charge nurse, supervisory, or leadership experience.
• Working knowledge of sterile processing and instrument reprocessing standards (AORN/AAMI).
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong ethical and professional standards.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, email, spreadsheets, and word processing software.
• Ability to work flexible hours based on surgical schedules and staffing needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Nursing.
• CNOR certification.
• One (1) or more years of healthcare management experience.
• Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) experience.

Certifications

Required:

• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)

Preferred:

• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR)

Competencies

• Leadership and Team Development
• Staff Scheduling and Workforce Management
• Clinical Operations Management
• Sterile Processing Knowledge
• Regulatory Compliance
• Financial Stewardship and Cost Management
• Critical Thinking and Decision-Making
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Conflict Resolution
• Change Management
• Quality Improvement and Patient Safety

Physical Requirements

• Frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and reaching.
• Ability to sit for extended periods as needed.
• Ability to respond quickly to patient and operational needs.
• Frequent pushing, pulling, and lifting of equipment and/or patients.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Visual and auditory acuity sufficient to assess patients, monitor equipment, and communicate effectively.

Working Conditions

• Works in a climate-controlled healthcare environment with exposure to surgical and sterilization equipment.
• Exposure to communicable diseases, radiation, and hazardous chemicals consistent with healthcare settings.
• Frequent interruptions and moderate noise levels.
• Must be able to hear alarms, overhead pages, and patient calls.
• Category I exposure risk requiring adherence to Universal Precautions and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly supervises all employees assigned to the Operating Room and Central Sterile/Sterile Processing departments, including:

• Recruitment and hiring
• Orientation and training
• Staff scheduling and case assignments
• Performance management
• Corrective action and disciplinary processes
• Employee development and retention initiatives
• Resolution of staff, physician, and patient concerns

Core Values (RISE)

• Respect/Caring: Demonstrates compassion and respect toward patients, families, physicians, and colleagues.
• Integrity: Acts honestly and ethically while honoring commitments.
• Stewardship: Responsibly manages people, resources, and assets.
• Efficiency: Effectively utilizes resources to achieve outstanding clinical and financial outcomes.