RN - OR Manager

Job Title: RN - OR Manager
Location: Evergreen Park, Illinois
Schedule: Full-Time | Day Shift | Monday–Friday | Typical Start as Early as 6:30 AM
Pay Range: $66.23–$77.91 per hour
Sign-On Bonus: $20,000 with a two-year commitment
Relocation Assistance: May be available on a case-by-case basis

Job Overview

A leading healthcare organization is seeking an experienced RN - OR Manager to lead a busy surgical services department in Evergreen Park, Illinois.

The OR Nurse Manager will oversee clinical operations, staffing, team development, quality, patient safety, and daily workflow across a diverse surgical program. The department includes six main operating rooms, one cystoscopy room, and one minor procedure room, with approximately 7–25 surgical cases performed each day depending on service mix.

This is a hands-on leadership role with 24/7 accountability for department operations, although there is no regularly assigned on-call schedule. The ideal candidate will have significant perioperative nursing experience, previous circulating experience, and at least two years of formal or progressive OR leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily clinical and operational activities of the Operating Room
• Lead and support surgical nurses, scrub technicians, Charge RNs, and team leads
• Coordinate staffing and assignments based on surgical volume, acuity, and department needs
• Maintain appropriate staffing coverage for scheduled, urgent, and emergency procedures
• Partner with surgeons, anesthesia providers, nursing leadership, and other clinical departments
• Promote a positive, accountable, and collaborative perioperative culture
• Coach, mentor, and develop OR staff and emerging leaders
• Participate in recruitment, onboarding, competency development, performance management, and staff retention
• Monitor surgical workflow, room utilization, patient throughput, and operational efficiency
• Maintain high standards for patient safety, sterile technique, infection prevention, and perioperative care
• Ensure compliance with applicable hospital policies and regulatory standards
• Support quality-improvement and patient-outcome initiatives
• Assist with development and implementation of department policies, procedures, and clinical practices
• Respond to staffing or operational escalations when leadership support is required
• Provide leadership coverage when emergent staffing issues arise
• Step into a Charge RN role when necessary to maintain safe department operations
• Scrub or circulate a case in exceptional circumstances when required for patient safety
• Support implementation and expansion of advanced surgical technologies and service lines
• Help prepare the department for continued growth, including hybrid operating room capabilities
• Maintain 24/7 leadership accountability while following established escalation pathways
• Perform other managerial responsibilities as assigned

Surgical Services

The department supports a broad range of surgical specialties, including:

• General Surgery
• Gynecologic Surgery
• Urology
• Orthopedics
• Spine Surgery
• Ophthalmology
• Vascular Surgery
• Robotic Surgery

The surgical program currently includes:

• 6 main operating rooms
• 1 cystoscopy suite
• 1 minor procedure room
• Xi robotic surgical system
• SP robotic surgical system
• Hybrid OR expansion

Average surgical volume ranges from approximately 7–25 cases per day depending on specialty and case mix.

Qualifications

Required

• Current Registered Nurse license or ability to obtain Illinois RN licensure
• Minimum of two years of Operating Room nursing experience
• Previous experience circulating in an Operating Room
• Minimum of two years of leadership experience in a perioperative environment
• Qualifying leadership experience may include:
• OR Nurse Manager
• Assistant Manager
• Team Lead
• Charge RN
• Similar perioperative leadership responsibilities
• Current Basic Life Support certification
• Strong understanding of perioperative nursing practices and surgical workflows
• Experience coordinating surgical staffing and patient flow
• Strong leadership, communication, and conflict-resolution skills
• Ability to make sound decisions in high-pressure clinical situations
• Ability to support department needs beyond standard business hours when operational issues require leadership involvement

Candidates who currently hold an RN license in another state may be considered while completing the Illinois licensure process, provided they have current OR nursing experience.

Preferred

• CNOR certification
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Previous formal OR Manager or Assistant Manager experience
• Experience managing a hospital Operating Room or ambulatory surgery center
• Robotic surgery experience
• Experience supporting orthopedic, spine, vascular, or complex surgical services
• Experience with hybrid OR operations
• Experience leading staffing, quality, workflow, and performance-improvement initiatives

Leadership & Schedule Expectations

• Monday–Friday leadership schedule
• Start times may be as early as 6:30 AM
• End time may vary depending on department needs
• 24/7 managerial accountability for department operations
• No regularly assigned on-call schedule
• Leaders may be contacted outside normal working hours when significant operational or clinical issues arise
• Routine floor assignments are not expected
• The Manager may occasionally assist as Charge RN, circulate, or scrub during unusual staffing emergencies

Benefits & Incentives

• $20,000 sign-on bonus with a two-year employment commitment
• Competitive compensation based on experience and qualifications
• Relocation assistance may be available based on individual circumstances
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Retirement savings programs
• Paid time off
• Leadership and professional-development opportunities
• Continuing-education support
• Career advancement within Surgical Services
• Employee wellness and assistance programs

If you are an experienced perioperative RN leader with strong circulating experience who is ready to lead a growing surgical program and develop a high-performing OR team, we would love to hear from you.