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
How to Apply:
Interested candidates may complete an online application at http://www.richlandhospital.com or submit a resume to hr@richlandhospital.com.
The Richland Hospital, Inc.
333 East Second Street
Richland Center, WI 53581
EOE
Benefits:
401(k)
Dental insurance
Employee assistance program
Flexible spending account
Health insurance
Health savings account
Life insurance
Paid time off
Retirement plan
Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
