Job Summary:

The Associate Surgical Services RN Manager serves as an operational and clinical leader within Surgical Services and assists with the daily management of perioperative services. This role supports safe, high-quality patient care, regulatory compliance, staff development, quality improvement, physician collaboration, and departmental operations while participating in a structured leadership development program designed to prepare for a future advancement into the Surgical Services RN Manager role.

The Associate RN Manager functions as a leadership partner, assuming increasing responsibility for department operations, fiscal stewardship, strategic initiatives, regulatory readiness, and personnel management under the mentorship of the Executive Director Leadership team.

Qualifications:

• Graduate from an accredited school of nursing
• Current registered nurse licensure in Wisconsin
• Bachelor’s degree in nursing or willing to get it within designated timeframe.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Member in good standing in one or more: AORN, ASPAN, SGNA, AIMEE

Required: 

• Five years varied perioperative services experience
• Basic computer skills (eg, Microsoft® Word)

Preferred: 

• Master’s degree in nursing, business, or another related field
• Two years of nursing leadership experience
• Advanced computer skills (eg, Microsoft® PowerPoint, Excel)

Responsibilities include:

Leadership & Operations

Assists with the day-to-day operational management of Surgical Services by:

• Promoting the organization's mission, vision, values, and strategic initiatives.
• Assisting with oversight of daily surgical operations.
• Supporting efficient patient flow and departmental throughput.
• Monitoring staffing plans and assisting with staffing adjustments.
• Participating in operational decision-making.
• Assisting with departmental budgeting, productivity, and resource utilization.
• Participating in capital equipment planning.
• Supporting implementation of departmental strategic initiatives.

Performance Expectations

• Maintains efficient daily operations, including organizing and leading the Daily Engagement System
• Participates in monthly operational and financial reviews.
• Completes assigned operational projects on schedule.

Clinical Quality & Patient Safety

Supports delivery of safe, evidence-based perioperative care by:

• Promoting evidence-based perioperative practice.
• Supporting implementation of AORN and ASPAN standards and organizational policies.
• Assisting with patient safety initiatives.
• Participating in multidisciplinary care planning.
• Advocating for patients throughout the perioperative continuum.
• Protecting patient privacy and confidentiality.

Performance Expectations

• Quality metrics meet established benchmarks.
• Patient safety initiatives demonstrate measurable improvement.
• Staff consistently follow evidence-based practices.

Regulatory Compliance & Survey Readiness

Assists in maintaining continuous compliance with all applicable standards by:

• Monitoring compliance with CMS Conditions of Participation.
• Supporting DNV survey readiness activities.
• Maintaining departmental policies and procedures.
• Participating in regulatory audits.
• Assisting with corrective action plans.
• Ensuring compliance with OSHA, CDC, AAMI, and organizational requirements.

Performance Expectations

• Department remains survey ready.
• Policies remain current.
• Audit findings are addressed promptly.
• Regulatory deficiencies are minimized.

Human Resources & Staff Development

Partners with the Executive Leadership team:

• Recruit and interview qualified personnel.
• Assist with onboarding and orientation.
• Provide coaching and mentoring.
• Support employee engagement.
• Complete annual performance evaluations.
• Develop staff competencies.
• Ensure completion of required education.
• Promote accountability and professional growth.

Performance Expectations

• Performance evaluations completed on time.
• Staff competencies maintained.
• Employee engagement initiatives supported.
• Staff receive ongoing coaching and feedback.

Quality Improvement & Performance Excellence

Participates in continuous improvement by:

• Collecting and analyzing department performance data.
• Participating in quality improvement projects with DES
• Monitoring departmental dashboards.
• Leading the implementation of performance improvement initiatives.

Performance Expectations

• Uses data to support decision making.
• Participates in departmental quality initiatives.
• Demonstrates measurable improvement in assigned projects.

Communication & Collaboration

Promotes a collaborative work environment by:

• Communicating effectively with surgeons, anesthesia providers, nursing staff, Sterile Processing, Supply Chain, and ancillary departments.
• Facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Managing conflict professionally.
• Supporting organizational change initiatives.
• Demonstrating professionalism and emotional intelligence.

Performance Expectations

• Positive feedback from physicians, staff, and leadership.
• Demonstrates effective conflict resolution.
• Successfully facilitates organizational change.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Leadership Development Evaluation

The Associate Surgical Services RN Manager will participate in a structured leadership development program that includes:

• Individual Leadership Development Plan (LDP) established within the first 30 days of employment.
• Monthly leadership competency assessments with the Executive Director Leadership team.
• Progressive delegation of management responsibilities based on demonstrated competency.
• Quarterly evaluation of readiness to assume the Surgical Services RN Manager role.
• Documentation of completed leadership projects, regulatory activities, quality improvement initiatives, and professional development milestones as evidence of advancement toward independent leadership.

Physical Requirements for the Role: 

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday. 
• Frequent sitting, bending, stooping, reaching, kneeling, and twisting. 
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 35 pounds independently and heavier loads with assistance or appropriate equipment. 
• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate computers, medical equipment, and office equipment. 
• Visual acuity sufficient to review medical records, observe patient conditions, and perform administrative and clinical oversight functions. 
• Ability to hear and effectively communicate in person, by telephone, and through electronic communication systems. 
• Ability to respond quickly and effectively during emergency situations.

Work Environment: 

• Works in a hospital-based perioperative environment including the Operating Room, Preoperative, PACU, Sterile Processing, and procedural areas. 
• Frequently exposed to blood, body fluids, infectious diseases, surgical smoke, chemicals, cleaning agents, sterilization processes, and other hazards common to healthcare environments. 
• May be exposed to radiation, lasers, anesthetic gases, and other procedural equipment while following established safety protocols. 
• Requires flexibility to respond to changing patient volumes, emergencies, and staffing needs. 
• May be required to work occasional evenings, weekends, holidays, or participate in an on-call rotation as operational needs dictate.