DIRECTOR- INPATIENT SERVICES

Join Palestine Regional Medical Center in Palestine, TX, a 150‑bed hospital that has recently earned the prestigious Leapfrog “A” Safety Grade, the Platinum Award for quality from parent‑company ScionHealth, and certification as a Chest Pain Center and Level IV Trauma facility. Palestine Regional provides a range of comprehensive care, including the latest in diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative services, both on an inpatient and outpatient basis. The hospital is an integral part of the local community, offering the chance to grow your career while making a real impact close to home.

About the Role

The Director – Inpatient Services provides strategic, operational, and clinical leadership for all inpatient nursing units, including Medical/Surgical, ICU, and other assigned acute‑care services. The Director ensures delivery of high‑quality, patient‑centered care; maintains regulatory compliance; drives performance improvement; and leads initiatives that align with organizational goals. This position oversees staffing, budgeting, clinical standards, quality metrics, and interdepartmental coordination to ensure safe, efficient, and cost‑effective inpatient operations.

Responsibilities

• Leadership & Operations: Provide administrative and clinical leadership for all inpatient units, develop and evaluate policies and evidence‑based practices, oversee daily operations, census/acuity‑based staffing, workflow efficiency, and resource utilization. Lead performance improvement, quality assurance, regulatory readiness, and patient safety initiatives. Coordinate interdepartmental collaboration to optimize patient flow and service delivery. Participate in executive leadership meetings, committees, and strategic planning.
• Clinical Oversight: Ensure compliance with federal, state, and accreditation standards. Monitor patient care delivery, quality indicators, and clinical outcomes; implement corrective actions as needed. Provide direct patient care when necessary to support continuity and uphold clinical standards.
• Financial & Workforce Management: Develop and manage departmental budgets (labor, supplies, capital). Oversee recruitment, retention, onboarding, scheduling, coaching, and performance evaluation of nursing staff. Identify and address staffing needs to maintain safe patient ratios and regulatory compliance.
• Professional Development: Promote team engagement, professional growth, and a culture of continuous learning. Ensure timely competency assessments, required certifications, and annual performance reviews. Serve as a mentor and role model for nursing leadership, professionalism, and evidence‑based practice.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong clinical background in acute inpatient nursing, including critical care and medical/surgical care.
• Demonstrated ability to guide, coach, and motivate large multidisciplinary teams.
• Extensive knowledge of hospital regulations, accreditation standards, quality improvement methods, and patient safety principles.
• Strong analytical, critical‑thinking, and decision‑making skills.
• Effective communication, collaboration, conflict‑resolution, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with EMR systems and standard business software (e.g., Microsoft Office).
• Physical ability to stand, walk, bend, assist with patient handling, and lift up to 50 lb; visual acuity and manual dexterity required.
• Exposure to typical hospital inpatient unit hazards (bloodborne pathogens, infectious diseases, airborne or chemical hazards) with appropriate PPE required.

Qualifications

• Education:
  • Post‑secondary non‑degree (Certificate/Diploma/Program) from an accredited School of Nursing – required.
  • Associate’s Degree in Nursing – required.
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing – preferred.
  • Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered (equivalent to 3‑5 years of clinical nursing experience and progressive leadership/management).
• Licenses/Certifications:
  • Current RN license in the state of employment (or Compact State, as applicable).
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) – required.
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) – required within facility‑defined timeframe.
  • Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) – if required by facility.
  • Specialty certifications (e.g., CCRN, CPPS) may be required or preferred based on unit needs.
• Experience:
  • Minimum 3–5 years of clinical nursing experience in an acute‑care setting.
  • Minimum 3–5 years of progressive leadership or nursing management experience – preferred.
  • Experience in high‑acuity, fast‑paced environments – strongly preferred.