Charge Nurse – PACU RN

Software Placement Group, SPG; Great Falls (MT); On-site; USD 55,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Retirement plan

Malpractice insurance

Paid time off (PTO)

Education and leadership development

Job summary

Software Placement Group, SPG is seeking a full-time Charge Nurse to join the perioperative leadership team in the PACU at a Great Falls, Montana hospital.

You will lead daily patient flow from pre-operative through phase II recovery, coordinate staffing, and uphold CPAN/ASPAN safety and documentation standards. Expect on-site shifts and a collaborative surgical environment.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited nursing program; ADN required.
• Active, unrestricted RN license in Montana (or immediate compact/endorsement eligibility) and valid BLS/ACLS/PALS.
• Minimum of 2+ years of dedicated PACU or perioperative nursing experience.
• Strong knowledge of CPAN guidelines and perioperative practice.
• Successful completion of pre-employment screenings (background check, drug screen, immunizations).

Responsibilities

• Oversee and optimize daily patient flow across Pre-Operative and PACU.
• Work varied shifts within 6:00 AM - 7:30 PM.
• Participate in a shared call rotation (approx. 4 weeknights/month + 1 weekend every other month).
• Plan and evaluate clinical care from admission through phase II recovery.
• Act as primary shift leader, managing staffing and daily operations.
• Ensure adherence to CPAN/ASPAN guidelines and documentation standards.
• Collaborate with PACU Supervisor and surgeons, anesthesia providers, and allied staff.
• Provide mentorship and support to the Pre-Op/PACU team.

Skills

RN licensure Montana

BLS certificate

ACLS certificate

PALS certificate

PACU nursing experience

Leadership/shift management

Education

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Job description

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.