Surgical Services Nurse Manager at River's Edge Hospital & Clinic – Saint Peter, Minnesota

The Surgical Services Nurse Manager is responsible for the leadership, coordination, and management of perioperative services, including pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-anesthesia care units (PACU). This role ensures the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards, organizational policies, and evidence-based practices.

The Nurse Manager provides strategic and operational oversight of daily department functions, including staffing, budgeting, quality improvement, and patient safety initiatives. They foster a collaborative, accountable, and respectful work environment that supports staff engagement, professional development, and optimal patient outcomes.

Working closely with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and interdisciplinary teams, and Surgical Services Business Manager. The Surgical Services Nurse Manager drives efficiency in surgical throughput, resource utilization, and patient flow. This leader is also responsible for maintaining readiness for accreditation surveys, implementing performance improvement initiatives, and ensuring adherence to all applicable regulatory and safety standards.

Areas of Responsibility

• Maintains the standards of care and implements policies and procedures of the hospital and Surgical Services department.
• Coordinates and supervises care given across the Surgical Services Department.
• Provides direct patient care when required by the needs of the department.
• Assists anesthesia staff with the care of patients and equipment needs.
• Demonstrates knowledge of aseptic techniques, a familiarity with surgical instrumentation and equipment, and the principles of microbiology as they pertain to the containment of contamination and the sterilization/disinfection process.
• Coordinates and oversees the orientation of new employees, agency/travel staff and performs evaluation of readiness for independent functioning.
• Coordinates departmental education with the Staff Development Coordinator to maintain competency for all staff assigned to the unit.
• Evaluates the performance of all staff within the department.
• Establishes staffing patterns to meet the needs of the department volumes and regulatory requirements.
• Works collaboratively with the all member of the Leadership team.
• Coordinates research, evaluation and procurement of equipment and supplies within the department.
• Oversees scheduling of surgical cases including surgical suite availability, staffing availability, and appropriateness of scheduled cases.
• Ensures compliance with regulatory standards including communication of expectations and auditing for compliance.
• Maintains collaborative and professional relationships with surgeons, physician assistants, and vendors.
• Collaborates and actively participates in improvement of departmental and organization outcomes.

Department Standards of Practice

• Assesses and documents departmental competencies for all roles within the department.
• Prepares and leads staff meeting agenda and coordinates education for all staff.
• Collaborates with other departments to coordinate patient/family education.
• Remains current in new developments of perioperative services through continuing education and attendance at facility mandatory in-services and meetings.
• Participates in patient follow-up with quality assurance and marketing departments.
• Is knowledgeable and adheres to Patient Bill of Rights and hospital policies relating to privacy, confidentiality and respect.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of DNV requirements, requirements of the Minnesota Department of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services, and shares the responsibility to see that facility and staff are in compliance.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of Infection Control, Safety, Quality Improvement and Facility Policies.
• Ensures preventive maintenance and proper use of equipment, instruments, and supplies.
• Creates departmental policies and procedures according to AORN, ASPAN and AAMT guidelines and reviews annually and as needed.

Collaboration/Quality

• Works collaboratively with other departments to ensure quality patient care thru standard practices.
• Participates in Medical Staff, C.Q.I. meetings and report findings to comply with recommended guidelines for perioperative services.
• Works with Chief Nursing Officer to develop annual departmental goals. Reports to Quality Committee.

Hip & Knee replacement Certification requirements; Shoulder Surgery Program Certification requirements; Spine Surgery Program Certification requirements.

• Participate in the orientation of new staff and the evaluation of their readiness for independent functioning in tandem with department leads; including joint replacements, shoulder and spine surgery..
• Collect data, provide departmental statistics for Hip and Knee Replacement, Shoulder and Spine Steering Committee meeting..

• Participates in Medical Staff, C.Q.I. meetings and report findings to comply with recommended guidelines for perioperative services; including total joints, shoulder, spine surgeries and surgical site infections.

• Currently licensed as a registered Nurse by the State of Minnesota Board of Nursing. BSN preferred.
• Current certification in American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardia Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and TNCC required. Will be added to RQI and complete quarterly courses to be certified in American Heart (BLS) within first 3 months of employment.
• Minimum 2 years experience in a formal leadership role (e.g. charge nurse, team lead, assistant manager) in perioperative services.