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Charge Nurse – PACU RN
All, Healthcare
Great Falls, MT
Location: Great Falls, Montana | Schedule: Full-Time, On-Site Clinical Leadership | Compensation: Hourly rate determined based on documented years of clinical and leadership experience
Overview
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.
What you'll do
- 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
Required qualifications
- 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
Preferred qualifications
- 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
Compensation and benefits
- 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
Why this role
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.
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