Assistant Nurse Manager – Operating Room

Key Responsibilities

Clinical & Operational Leadership

• Assist in overseeing daily OR operations, including staffing, patient flow, room utilization, and schedule coordination.

• Provide clinical leadership and support to perioperative staff, including RNs, scrub techs, and support personnel.

• Serve as a resource and escalation point for clinical issues, workflow challenges, and patient safety concerns.

• Assume Nurse Manager responsibilities in their absence, as assigned.

Staff Support & Development

• Support onboarding, orientation, and competency validation for new and existing staff.

• Participate in performance management, coaching, and progressive discipline in collaboration with the Nurse Manager.

• Encourage professional development, staff engagement, and adherence to perioperative best practices (AORN standards).

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Promote a culture of patient safety, quality improvement, and regulatory readiness.

• Monitor compliance with hospital policies, infection prevention standards, and accreditation requirements (e.g., Joint Commission).

• Assist with audits, investigations, and implementation of corrective action plans.

• Support initiatives related to surgical site infection prevention, time-outs, and safe surgery protocols.

Collaboration & Communication

• Partner with surgeons, anesthesia, nursing leadership, supply chain, and sterile processing to ensure seamless surgical services.

• Participate in process improvement initiatives related to efficiency, throughput, and patient experience.

• Communicate effectively with patients, families, and multidisciplinary teams.

• Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license required (NM RN or out of state compact RN).

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

• Minimum of 3 years of recent Operating Room or perioperative nursing experience preferred

• Demonstrated leadership or charge nurse experience in the OR preferred.

• Strong knowledge of perioperative standards, workflows, and equipment preferred.

• Master’s degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or related field preferred.

• CNOR or other relevant perioperative certification preferred

• Previous experience in a supervisory or assistant management role preferred

• Experience in a multi-specialty or high-acuity surgical environment preferred.