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Posted: 03-Feb-26
Location: Denver, Colorado
Internal Number: R12846
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Department
Operating RoomThe Denver Health Inpatient Operating Room is an 11-room, highly specialized surgical unit that provides 24/7 surgical care to patients with complex and high-acuity needs. Serving the community of Denver, the State of Colorado, and surrounding states, the unit supports a full spectrum of surgical services through continuous staffing, which minimizes the need for call while maintaining exceptional patient care.Staffed by a highly experienced and skilled clinical team, the Inpatient OR specializes in a wide range of surgery services, including:
• General surgery
• Trauma
• Spine and Neurosurgery
• Bariatric
• Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT)
• Genitourinary and Gynecology (GU/GYN)
• Plastics and Hand
• Gender affirmation
• Pediatrics
• Oral maxillofacial and Dental
• Ophthalmology
• Orthopedics
• Oncology
• Vascular surgery
The unit also houses a state-of-the-art Hybrid Operating Room, allowing for advanced image-guided vascular and endovascular procedures.
Additionally, the Denver Health Bariatric Surgery Center-located within the inpatient OR-is the only MBSAQIP-certified (Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program) hospital in Denver serving both adolescents (ages 16-20) and adults (ages 21-65).
The nurse-to-patient ratio in the Inpatient OR is 1:1, ensuring highly personalized surgical care.
Job Summary
The Charge Nurse, with minimal direction, supervises nursing and support staff in an inpatient unit, specialty clinic, or treatment programs in various patient care settings.
The Charge Nurse, adheres to the American Nurses Association (ANA) standards of professional nursing and performance, and the ANA Code of Ethics (2015) to provide care to all patients. Applies critical thinking, evidence-based policies, procedures, guidelines and competence to collaborate with the health care team to promote excellence in patient safety and quality outcomes. Utilizes the Theory of Human Caring and Caritas in daily practice. "Jean Watson, PhD, RN, AHN-BC, FAAN, Founder / Director, Watson Caring Science Institute."
Essential Functions:
- Operations Management
Oversee department/unit for assigned shift employing clinical and managerial skills to care for patients while also providing guidance and leadership to other nurses who are working with patients including but not limited to
preparing daily staffing assignments, mentoring staff, evaluating performance, facilitating patient flow, admissions, and discharges. (40%) - Patient Assessment
Assess the needs of individuals, families and/or communities to identify potential health or safety problems, Instruct individuals and families on health education and disease prevention and after care (20%) - Treatment and Evaluation
Consult and coordinate with health care team members to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care. Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity, develop and modify patient care plans as indicated by patient’s responses and conditions. Prepare patients for, and assist with examinations and treatments (20%) - Medication administration, documentation and reassessment (10%)
- Monitor, record and report symptoms and changes in patient’s condition and vital signs (10%)
Education:
- Associate's Degree Required
Work Experience:
- 1 year of OR experience Required
License:
- BLS-Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) - AHA - American Heart Association or American Red Cross Required
- ACLS-Advanced Cardiac Life Support - AHA - American Heart Association Required
- Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) - Preferred
- RN-Registered Nurse - DORA - Department of Regulatory Agencies Required
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Adherence to Standards of Professional Nursing Practice/ Process / Performance [ANA Standards addendum- signed] and accrediting body standards.
- Strong understanding and display of the principals of customer service as it applies to patients, staff and the community
- Ability to assist in identifying ways to promote quality patient-centric care and maintain Denver Health’s high level of patient satisfaction. [Nursing Vision Statement]
- Ability to work effectively in a team matrix environment. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively at all levels and in a cross functional environment.
- Ability to work closely with multidisciplinary staff, charge nurses, clinical nurse educator(s), and Nursing Managers, providers,, executive leadership to provide care to patients with respect to their uniqueness using informed judgment, competence, individual qualifications, and collaboration with the health care team.
- Ability to demonstrate an understanding of assessment findings as they relate to the disease process and continuum of care.
- Proficient in EHR
- Basic Office Suite skills preferred
Shift
Work Type
RegularSalary
$37.40 - $62.22 / hrBenefits
Outstanding benefits including up to 27 paid days off per year, immediate retirement plan employer contribution up to 9.5%, and generous medical plans
Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)
On-site employee fitness center and wellness classes
Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more
Tuition reimbursement & assistance
Education & development opportunities including career pathways and coaching
Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer+ free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program
National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer
Our Values
Respect
Belonging
Accountability
Transparency
All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made.
Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic health care system considered a model for the nation that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver’s 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 19 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, a Public Health Institute, an HMO and The Denver Health Foundation.
As Colorado’s primary, and essential, safety-net institution, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided billions in uncompensated care for the uninsured. Denver Health is viewed as an Anchor Institution for the community, focusing on hiring and purchasing locally as applicable, serving as a pillar for community needs, and caring for more than 185,000 individuals and 67,000 children a year.
Located near downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer.
Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We value the unique ideas, talents and contributions reflective of the needs of our community.
Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.