Director of Inpatient Nursing (Acute Care)

About the role

The Director provides leadership for a 24-bed Acute Care unit that functions similarly to an Intermediate Care Unit (IMU) / Step-Down model. The unit provides care for medically complex pediatric patients requiring enhanced monitoring, including epilepsy monitoring, neurosurgical, and surgical populations, while supporting specialized postoperative care associated with a world-renowned craniofacial surgery program.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Partner with staff, medical leadership, and department leaders to ensure clinical excellence within a family-centered care environment, utilizing data, reports, and performance metrics to identify trends and develop action plans.
• Serve as a collaborative partner with the Medical Director and healthcare provider teams to ensure effective communication, alignment, and achievement of departmental goals.
• Facilitate collaboration and cooperation among diverse groups, disciplines, and stakeholders to achieve desired outcomes and advance patient care excellence.
• Lead and support staff participation in the Quality Outcomes Program and unit-based quality initiatives to achieve exemplary clinical outcomes and continuous improvement.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and evidence-based practice that enhances patient and family experiences.
• Demonstrate strong fiscal accountability through the effective management and justification of personnel, equipment, supplies, and capital resources.
• Ensure operational decisions support both quality outcomes and financial sustainability.
• Participate in the budget process for departments, setting targets and goals in partnership with division leadership in alignment with campus strategic initiatives.
• Commit to the ongoing professional development of self, unit leadership, and staff to support engagement, succession planning, and career growth.
• Foster an inclusive and supportive environment that reflects Texas Children’s HEART values and promotes team member excellence.

Knowledge And Skills

• Quality improvement methodologies and patient care delivery models
• Budgeting and financial management principles
• Staff development and performance management
• Word processing and spreadsheet applications
• Computer proficiency and data analysis skills
• Ability to improve the quality of nursing care and patient outcomes

Qualifications

• Experience: Five (5) years of progressive management and leadership experience in healthcare or nursing operations
• Inpatient Acute Care experience (Preferred)
• Education: Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN); Additional Education Requirement: Candidates must possess both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, with at least one degree in Nursing. A Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field is acceptable only if the candidate holds a Master’s degree in Nursing.
• Licenses & Certifications: Required: Current RN licensure through the Texas Board of Nursing or Nursing Licensure Compact; Magnet recognized certification, required within one year of entering role and tracked/maintained by Nursing Operations

About Us

Texas Children’s presence in Austin helps support a pediatric population of more than half a million and keeps kids healthy and happy from birth to adulthood. Texas Children’s first health care location in Austin, Texas Children’s Urgent Care West Gate, opened in March 2018, providing high quality pediatric-focused care after hours and on weekends. There are now more than 15 Texas Children’s Pediatric primary care practices in the greater Austin area providing full-service family care including routine childhood immunizations, well visits, and sick care. Our Specialty Care Center in Austin includes a multidisciplinary group of pediatric specialists committed to providing comprehensive care across a wide spectrum of services. Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin, is our new state-of-the-art facility providing world-class pediatric and maternal care to Austin families.