Clinical Staff Leader, Ortho/Ortho Trauma, Nights - VUH

About the role

Vanderbilt Health is the region’s largest comprehensive academic health system with eight hospitals and over 180 clinics, providing world-class care and a tradition of moving medicine forward through preeminent programs in patient care, education and research. The organization fosters a collaborative, supportive community where expertise is valued, knowledge expanded and uniqueness celebrated. The Clinical Staff Leader is a direct supervisory leadership role and a key member of the Nursing leadership team, leading a cohort of staff, participating in unit management, clinical practice development, and patient care, with accountability for people leadership, quality, service, compliance, finance, throughput and scheduling. The role focuses on ensuring optimal unit performance through effective problem solving for staff, patients and families, developing/leading the assigned cohort, providing feedback and coaching, recognizing contributions, and fostering a high‑performance culture under the guidance of the manager.

Position highlights: relocation bonus available for eligible candidates; nurse student loan repayment; fast‑paced, dynamic, unpredictable unit; learn something new every day; only nationally verified Level 1 trauma center in Middle Tennessee covering 80,000 square miles; Magnet‑designated organization; #1 ranked hospital in Nashville and Tennessee (U.S. News & World Report 2024‑2025).

Responsibilities

• Interacts with and contributes to the professional development of their cohort and other staff as needed.
• Defines standards for quality patient care.
• Develops, manages and evaluates area based on work team performance.
• Manages multiple projects/ongoing work activities (timelines, work plans, deliverables) and maintains alignment with strategic plan and vision.
• Acts as clinical leader and facilitates education for staff on clinical standards; routinely provides guidance/coaching to subordinates/peers within clinical specialty(ies).
• Ensures that clinical assignments are based on patient care needs and demonstrated staff competencies.
• Works on a 29‑bed unit with a nurse‑to‑patient ratio of 1:6, caring for patients undergoing joint replacements, fractures, general trauma, ortho trauma, emergency general surgery, dislocations, etc.
• Performs core accountabilities: plans and sets day‑to‑day objectives for the team that affect department results; resolves technical and operational problems within guidelines; applies advanced subject‑matter knowledge and basic management knowledge; leads/supervises a unit within a department or small department (working supervisor without budget or hire/fire authority).
• Demonstrates core capabilities: develops self and others; builds and maintains relationships; communicates effectively; serves others with compassion; solves complex problems; offers meaningful advice and support; performs excellent work; ensures continuous improvement; fulfills safety and regulatory requirements; demonstrates accountability; stewards organizational resources; makes data‑driven decisions; generates new ideas; applies technology; adapts to change.

Requirements

• At least 1 year of RN experience.
• BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing).
• State or Compact License (TN license required within 60 days of obtaining a TN address, even if holding a compact license).
• Certifications: LIC‑Registered Nurse – Licensure‑Others.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree.
• Work experience: relevant work experience (1 year).