Charge Nurse - PACU RN

Workforce Recruiter; Great Falls (MT); On-site; USD 69,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical insurance

Retirement plan with employer matching

Fully covered malpractice insurance

Generous PTO

Job summary

Premier hospital organization in Great Falls, MT is seeking a full-time Charge Nurse for the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). This on-site leadership role oversees patient flow in Pre-Op and PACU, and reports to the PACU Supervisor.

You will ensure safety, staff development, and CPAN/ASPAN guideline adherence while coordinating with surgeons and anesthesia providers in a dynamic perioperative environment.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited nursing program (ASDN required; BSN preferred).
• Active, unrestricted RN licensure in MT (or compact/endorsement eligibility).
• Core certifications: BLS, ACLS, PALS; CPAN/ASPAN certifications highly desired.
• Minimum 2+ years PACU nursing experience.
• Previous Charge Nurse or leadership experience preferred; CCU background a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and optimize daily patient flow across Pre-Operative and PACU areas.
• Act as primary shift leader: manage staffing, surgical schedule changes, and daily operations.
• Ensure adherence to patient safety standards and CPAN/ASPAN guidelines in documentation.
• Collaborate daily with PACU Supervisor and surgeons/anesthesia providers.
• Provide clinical direction and mentorship to Pre-Op/PACU team.

Education

Associate Degree in Nursing

BSN preferred

Job description

Charge Nurse - Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU RN)

Job Type: Full-Time | On-Site Clinical Leadership

Location: Great Falls, Montana

We have partnered closely with a premier hospital organization dedicated to becoming Montana's healthcare provider of choice, serving over 250,000 residents across 17 regional counties. We are currently seeking a full-time, dynamic Charge Nurse for the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) to join their perioperative leadership team in Great Falls. Boasting exceptional nurse-to-patient ratios that allow for deeply personalized care, this facility fosters a tight-knit culture of teamwork, safety, and modern medical technology.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and optimize the daily patient flow across both the Pre-Operative and PACU clinical areas.

Operational Hours

6:00 AM - 7:30 PM Varied Shifts

Call Requirements

• 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.
• Work in close, daily collaboration 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.

Qualifications

• Education: Graduate of an accredited nursing program (Associate Degree in Nursing required; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred).
• Licensure: Active, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the State of Montana (or immediate compact/endorsement eligibility).
• Certifications: Core certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) are required. CPAN or ASPAN national certifications are highly desired.
• Required Experience: Minimum of 2+ years of dedicated professional nursing experience within a Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU).
• Preferred Experience: Previous experience working as a Charge Nurse or in a clinical leadership role is highly preferred. Background in Critical Care (ICU) nursing is a strong plus.
• Knowledge & Skills: Strong working knowledge of basic nursing principles, principles of asepsis, and CPAN guidelines for perioperative practice.

Benefits

• 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.

Note on Compensation & Hiring Requirements

Final hourly compensation will be verified and determined by the organization based on your documented years of clinical and leadership experience. All job offers are contingent upon the successful completion of standard pre-employment screenings, including a criminal background check, drug screening, and health/immunization verification.

Note on Employment Status

The comprehensive benefits package and compensation structure detailed above are explicitly offered for full-time positions. Eligible benefits may vary or be prorated for part-time arrangements.