Director Critical Care (RN)

At Houston Methodist, this position is responsible for the 24/7 management of assigned nursing units and departments, focusing on the quality of nursing care delivered, as well as planning, organizing, leading, and evaluating nursing services within the specialty area.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and oversight for strategic and operational objectives of the Department of Nursing.
• Establishes strategic and tactical plans for clinical services, new programs, and human resource allocation.
• Promotes a practice environment empowering nurses to deliver effective, compassionate, efficient, and knowledgeable nursing care.
• Ensures compliance with regulations and accreditation standards in cooperation with the Medical Staff.
• Oversees department staff activities to ensure quality, productivity, functional excellence, and efficiency.
• Accountable for employee engagement, adequate staffing levels, budget development and compliance, staffing decisions (hiring/terminating), coaching, and counseling employees on performance.
• Develops and implements policies and procedures for a safe and effective work environment.
• Ensures training, monitoring, and operational initiatives for compliance with ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements.

People Essential Functions

• Directs, develops, and implements strategic and operational projects through independent work or team facilitation.
• Oversees staff management, including selection, scheduling, supervision, retention, and evaluation.
• Provides guidance and feedback to strengthen staff knowledge and skills.
• Meets or exceeds department turnover goals and employee engagement metrics.
• Conducts regular department meetings, rounds on employees, completes performance appraisals, and provides recognition or corrective counseling.
• Builds strategic relationships across departments to achieve business goals and promotes teamwork.
• Implements change and motivates staff to maintain compliance and engagement.

Service Essential Functions

• Oversees department operations, projects, and schedules to ensure goals are met within prescribed time frames.
• Sets priorities and functional standards to ensure high customer/patient satisfaction.
• Drives department service standards to impact patient/customer satisfaction scores.
• Actively participates in entity committees as a department representative.
• Maintains 24/7 accountability for decisions regarding patient care, department operations, and personnel management.

Quality/Safety Essential Functions

• Ensures a safe and effective working environment by monitoring and revising the department safety plan and accreditation/regulatory guidelines.
• Responsible for staff maintenance of credentials and competencies.
• Uses a proactive approach to optimize safe outcomes and improve workflow through collaboration and lean principles.
• Role models situational awareness and uses teachable moments to enhance safety.
• Ensures employee compliance with policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Stays current with regulatory requirements and translates them into operational practices.
• Coordinates interprofessional patient care to achieve clinical excellence and optimal outcomes.

Finance Essential Functions

• Develops and manages department operational and capital budgets.
• Proactively identifies and plans for capital needs related to equipment and future projects.
• Ensures cost-effective staffing plans and schedules.
• Creates strategies to achieve financial targets and optimize productivity and resource efficiency.
• Analyzes and monitors budget reports, variances, and complex data sets (e.g., financial/quality reports).

Growth/Innovation Essential Functions

• Identifies and implements innovative solutions for practice or workflow changes to improve operations.
• Leads task forces, committees, and change initiatives, maintaining effectiveness during major changes.
• Partners with stakeholders to drive initiatives.
• Ensures career development discussions and updates to My Development Plan (MDP) for self and staff.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree, one of which must be in nursing. If no current Master’s degree, must obtain within two years and be enrolled at the time of hire.
• Three years of clinical experience, with two years in people management.
• Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in Texas or ability to obtain a permanent Texas license within 60 days (if establishing residency).
• Magnet-ANCC Recognized Leadership Certification within one year.

Skills

• Demonstrates skills and competencies necessary for safe job performance through ongoing assessments.
• Proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English for activities impacting patient or employee safety.
• Ability to interact effectively to inspire confidence in the organization’s intentions.
• Uses appropriate interpersonal styles to gain acceptance of ideas or plans.
• Demonstrates leadership, critical thinking, self-direction, and effective communication skills.
• Identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities, using data to draw conclusions and take action.
• Extensive knowledge of regulatory and accreditation agency requirements.
• Highly effective communication skills, including strong written and presentation abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and adapt to workplace changes.
• Capable of leading teams, building consensus, and garnering confidence from senior leadership.
• Works under pressure, balances competing priorities, and is solution-oriented.
• Proficient in spreadsheet, word processing, and presentation software.
• Maintains a positive and supportive attitude.
• Handles confidential and sensitive information professionally.

Supplemental Requirements

• Business professional attire required.
• On-call duties may be required during emergencies (e.g., disasters, severe weather).
• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area.

Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital provides state-of-the-art medical care with a focus on expanding services, including a new emergency department, patient tower, outpatient center, renovated Cancer Center, NICU, and advanced operating rooms.