Director, Perinatal Services

About the Role

The Director of Perinatal Services is accountable for the strategic planning, direction, organization, and control of the inpatient Women’s Services Department and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This position oversees the clinical delivery of care and fiscal goals for specialized areas including Labor & Delivery, Couplet Care, GYN & Well Women’s Care, Perinatal Clinic (California Sweet Success; Diabetes in Pregnancy Program), Lactation and Childbirth Education, and the NICU.

The role directs the entire Perinatal Service Line by aligning operations and performance improvement activities across multiple entities, with a focus on integrating policies, standards of care, staff/management recruitment and training, and capital equipment purchases. The Director is responsible for strategic planning, developing linkages with existing and new services, and assisting with the marketing of service line strategies in a competitive marketplace.

This position serves as a liaison between Medical Staff and Administration and ensures compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and standards from county, state, federal agencies, and the Joint Commission. The Director is accountable for maintaining quality patient outcomes and high levels of customer service.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational oversight and direction of the Women’s Services Department and NICU through program development, operational improvement, financial performance, and organizational change.
• Establish a Women’s Service Line Leadership Plan for the development of women’s screening, health, and wellness programs.
• Implement best practices and standardized procedures in all service areas.
• Integrate Women’s Services with ARMC’s primary functions and coordinate services within Women’s Services and other departments.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures that guide and support service provision.
• Recommend qualified and competent individuals to provide care and determine staff qualifications and competence.
• Continuously assess and improve the performance of the Women’s Services Department.
• Maintain appropriate quality control programs throughout the women’s service line.
• Provide orientation, in-service training, and continuing education for all Women’s Services staff.
• Participate in selecting outside sources for needed services.
• Direct clinical nursing practice in the NICU, including coordination and assessment of critical care educational development and clinical competency of nursing staff.
• Ensure continued neonatal critical care nursing competency through educational programs for both newly hired and experienced staff.
• Consult with staff on complex neonatal critical care nursing issues.
• Oversee comprehensive parent and/or primary caretaker education activities and ensure the implementation of a coordinated and effective discharge planning program.
• Manage the Neonatal Transport Program, including maintaining a written neonatal transport plan, annual competency evaluations, and records of each neonatal transport.
• Oversee the High Risk Infant Follow-up Program to ensure compliance with CCS high-risk infant eligibility criteria and components of services.
• Collaborate with CHOC’s NICU team under the Regional Cooperation Agreement for joint education, training, and development of guidelines for consultation, referral, and transport of perinatal and neonatal patients.
• Participate in the California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative (CPQCC) and Vermont Oxford Network for data collection and analysis of designated infant criteria.
• Actively engage in Morbidity and Mortality Conferences held at least quarterly.

Requirements

• Licensed RN with a minimum of 5 years of progressive management responsibility and clinical experience primarily within the Women’s Service Line and/or NICU Service Line.
• BSN and Master’s Degree in Nursing or Business preferred.
• Current certification in Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing from a nationally recognized accrediting organization (e.g., National Certification Corporation (NCC)).
• Certified as a Regional Neonatal Resuscitation Provider Instructor; provides Provider, Provider Renewal, and Hospital-Based Instructor courses for RN, RT staff, Neonatologists, Pediatricians, and Obstetricians.
• Minimum of 3 years of clinical neonatal nursing experience, at least one of which must be in a facility with an NICU equivalent to a Regional or Community Level NICU.
• Evidence of current successful completion of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program course of the AAP and AHA.
• Experience managing care issues related to neonates, children, adults, and geriatric populations within the designated unit.
• Education and experience in Process Improvement, Change Theory, and Team Building.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including personnel management, cost reduction, productivity enhancement, and interdisciplinary practice with an emphasis on quality and performance improvement.
• Experience working and problem-solving with physicians, administration, and hospital staff.
• Clinical background with sound clinical assessment skills and the ability to make independent decisions regarding patient care.
• Highly developed sense of initiative, flexibility, good judgment, and analytical skills.
• Open, team-oriented, collaborative management style based on trust and personal integrity.
• Effective motivational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with technology and ability to participate actively in the selection and purchase of capital equipment.
• Comprehensive knowledge of regulatory requirements, including Title 22 and Joint Commission.