Charge Nurse (RN) - OR - Operating Room
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
Park Ridge, IL
Evenings

Title: Charge Nurse: Main Operating Room

Scheduled Hours: 8 HR shifts; Evening Shift (1);

                                Full Time

Job Summary:

Under the direction of the department manager, the Charge Nurse within the Main OR oversees and coordinates day-to-day accountabilities for the assigned department(s) while ensuring policies, procedures, safety regulations, and Behavioral Expectations are consistently followed. Provides support, training, guidance and acts as a resource to direct reports to maintain and enhance department processes. The Charge Nurse will act as a first line of contact for the staff when problems with equipment, patients, or other departmental issues arise. Performs clinical duties as dictated by department work standard.

• Responsible for daily OR surgical operations, including staff schedules. Works to ensure overall work standards and productivity goals are achieved
• Responsible for direct and in-direct patient care, (Clinical responsibilities vary based upon department needs.) 
• Performs Charge Nurse responsibilities which support the day-to-day operation of the department while, upholding MOR policies, standards of practice and serves as a role model by acting in a manner consistent with Behavior Expectations.  
• Ensures associates meet daily, monthly and annual accountabilities as depicted by position job description and department procedures.
• Motivates staff, provides praise and constructive feedback to elicit high levels of productivity. Provides direction to associates regarding accountability for their actions through verbal counseling and communicating course of action to the supervisor/manager. Conducts or participates in annual associate performance reviews; including one-on-one associate conference to clarify results, encourage development and/or explain performance plans and compensation. 
• Acts as a resource to associates.  
• Strives for excellence in care and efficiency of surgical operation.

Position Requirements:

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing with current IL RN license
• BSN preferred, ADN acceptable with agreement for nurses with less than 12 months of experience to enroll in BSN completion program to be completed in four years.  Nurses with more than 12 months experience in direct patient care must possess a BSN or obtain either BSN or Advocate Aurora Health (AAH) recognized nursing certification within one year of the date of hire or becoming eligible to sit for certification, whichever is later.
• Minimum of two years RN nursing experience in OR required. Scrubbing and circulating knowledge required.
• Charge experience required
• Certifications/education required for the nursing specialty within 2 years of hire date (CNOR)
• Current AHA CPR maintained
• Current AHA ACLS preferred
• Basic understanding of operative procedures and expected post-op outcomes.
• Basic knowledge of symptoms and possible complications of surgery, anesthesia and initial treatments.
• Able to recognize the needs and behaviors of pediatric through geriatric age groups.
• Patient care responsibilities may involve: Working until all patients are discharged from facility or staff available to take over on the patient’s care.
• Must be flexible in work hours and be able to rotate the required shifts including days scheduled to address surgery schedule.
• Being exposed to hazardous materials or life threatening diseases.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.