Job: Surgical Nurse Manager

Surgical Nurse Manager- full-time, days, onsite

Full-time benefits are the following: 

Medical, dental, vision, paid time off, paid sick time, 403(b) retirement program, life insurance plans, shift differentials, workers' compensation

The deadline to apply is September 30, 2026

Leadville, Colorado, is a historic Victorian-era mining town and the highest incorporated city in the United States, situated at 10,152 feet—nearly two miles above sea level. Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains and surrounded by iconic 14,000-foot peaks such as Mount Elbert and Mount Massive, Leadville offers breathtaking alpine scenery and a truly authentic mountain-town experience.

Unlike larger resort communities known for luxury retail and high tourist traffic, Leadville retains its genuine Colorado character. The town is known for its welcoming, community-focused atmosphere, historic architecture, and rich mining heritage. With no major chain stores and a vibrant mix of long-time residents, outdoor enthusiasts, and local families, Leadville offers a distinctive environment where neighbors know each other and small-town values remain strong.

Leadville has a close-knit population of approximately 2,600–3,000 residents, with roughly 7,700 people across Lake County. The area offers a peaceful rural-suburban setting without the congestion of larger mountain destinations. Residents enjoy exceptional year-round outdoor recreation, including hiking, biking, and fishing at nearby lakes such as Turquoise Lake and Twin Lakes. Winter activities include skiing and snowshoeing at Ski Cooper, a family-friendly ski area just outside town. The community also hosts renowned endurance events such as the Leadville Race Series, attracting athletes from around the world.

St. Vincent General Hospital District—commonly known as St. Vincent Health—has served the Leadville community since the late 1800s, with roots dating back to 1879. As a critical access hospital, the organization provides essential healthcare services to local residents and visitors across Lake County and the surrounding high-country region.

St. Vincent Health offers a comprehensive range of services, including:

• 24/7 emergency department and ambulance services

• Primary and family medicine

• Visiting specialty care (including cardiology, urology, general surgery, pain management, podiatry, and ophthalmology)

• Minor elective outpatient procedures

• Physical therapy and rehabilitation services

• Diagnostic imaging and laboratory services

• Occupational health and sleep studies

The organization is known for its collaborative, team-oriented culture, where healthcare professionals work closely together in a supportive rural hospital environment. Employees often cite the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a small community, maintain a strong work–life balance, and enjoy competitive benefits—including retirement plans, shift differentials, and benefits eligibility for many part-time roles.

Working at St. Vincent Health offers the unique opportunity to combine a rewarding healthcare career with an exceptional mountain lifestyle. For individuals seeking purposeful work, strong community connections, and access to world-class outdoor recreation, Leadville provides a rare and inspiring place to live and serve.

• Graduate of an accredited school of professional nursing

• Associate Degree in Nursing required; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
• Additional education or training in perioperative nursing, leadership, or healthcare management preferred
• Minimum three years of recent perioperative, operating room, or surgical nursing experience required; five years preferred.
• Previous charge nurse, supervisory, or nursing leadership experience preferred.
• Experience in a Critical Access Hospital, rural hospital, or similar setting preferred
• Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Colorado or current multistate privilege applicable to Colorado.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification required or obtained within the timeframe established by St. Vincent Health.
• Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) certification preferred
• Strong knowledge of perioperative nursing practice, sterile technique, infection prevention, patient safety, and surgical workflows.
• Ability to lead, coach, evaluate, and hold staff accountable while maintaining a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to manage staffing, schedules, supplies, equipment, budgets, quality metrics, and multiple competing priorities.
• Effective communication and working relationships with surgeons, anesthesia providers, nursing staff, vendors, patients, and hospital leadership.
• Working knowledge of applicable CMS, Colorado, hospital, and evidence-based perioperative standards, including AORN guidance.
• Proficiency with electronic medical records, Microsoft Outlook and Word, and other department-specific technology.
  

The Surgical Nurse Manager provides clinical and operational leadership for the Surgery Department and is accountable for safe, efficient, high-quality perioperative services. This position manages day-to-day surgical operations, staffing, scheduling, employee performance, regulatory readiness, quality improvement, supplies and equipment, and coordination with surgeons, anesthesia, and hospital departments. The Surgical Nurse Manager maintains an active clinical role and assists with surgical and procedural care as needed, including circulating, pre-operative and post-operative support, and other duties within RN scope of practice and demonstrated competency

• Provides overall leadership and day-to-day management of the Surgery Department and perioperative services assigned to the department.
• Maintains responsibility for safe, effective, patient-centered surgical nursing care and promotes consistent adherence to established standards of practice.
•  Manages department staffing and scheduling to support surgical volume, patient acuity, provider schedules, employee competencies, and safe coverage.
• Provides direct patient care and assists with surgical and other procedures as operational needs require and within RN scope of practice, training, and demonstrated competency.
•  Functions in the circulating nurse role and supports pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative patient care as qualified and needed.
• Coordinates daily surgical activities with surgeons, anesthesia providers, nursing staff, surgical technologists, sterile processing, Patient Access, and other hospital departments.
• Works with providers and staff to ensure appropriate case preparation, equipment, instrumentation, supplies, preference cards, and patient documentation are available for scheduled procedures.
• Oversees safe medication practices, surgical counts, specimen handling, positioning, skin preparation, time-outs, infection prevention practices, and other perioperative safety processes.
•  Monitors surgical schedules, room utilization, case flow, turnover times, cancellations, delays, and operational barriers; implements improvements when appropriate.
• Provides leadership during urgent or unexpected situations and assists the team in responding to changes in patient condition, staffing, equipment, or procedural needs.
• Recruits, interviews, orients, trains, supervises, coaches, and evaluates Surgery Department employees in collaboration with Human Resources and nursing leadership.
• Completes employee evaluations, rounding, competency reviews, corrective action, and performance improvement activities in accordance with hospital policy.
• Ensures staff maintain required licensure, certifications, competencies, annual education, and department-specific training.
• Develops, reviews, and maintains Surgery Department policies, procedures, workflows,competencies, and orientation materials.
• Maintains departmental readiness for regulatory surveys and ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, hospital, infection prevention, life safety, and perioperative requirements.
• Participates in quality improvement and patient safety activities; monitors relevant surgical quality metrics, events, patient outcomes, and opportunities for improvement.
• Investigates and follows up on safety events, patient concerns, process breakdowns, and other department issues, escalating concerns to leadership as appropriate.
• Manages surgical supplies, implants, instrumentation, equipment, and inventory to support patient care while promoting appropriate cost control and standardization.
•  Coordinates preventive maintenance, repairs, replacement planning, and capital equipment needs with appropriate departments and vendors.
• Participates in departmental budgeting, productivity monitoring, staffing plans, purchasing decisions, and financial stewardship.
•  Builds effective working relationships with surgeons and procedural providers and supports onboarding of new surgeons, procedures, equipment, and service lines.
• Collaborates with hospital leadership on surgical service development, access, growth, staffing, and operational planning.
• Participates in required hospital and leadership meetings and communicates relevant information to Surgery Department employees.
• Maintains patient confidentiality and ensures compliance with HIPAA, infection prevention, safety, and hospital policies.
•  Maintains clinical competence and remains available to provide hands-on support when department volume, staffing, emergencies, or patient needs require.
• Performs other duties as assigned that are consistent with the responsibilities and scope of the position.