Director, Perioperative Services

About the role

The Director of Perioperative Services is responsible for the strategic, operational, and financial management of surgical services, including the Operating Room (OR), Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), Pre-Op, and the Sterile Processing Department (SPD). This role ensures high-quality patient care, regulatory compliance, efficiency in surgical operations, and collaboration with physicians, staff, and hospital leadership to drive excellence in perioperative services.

POSITION SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Leadership; Operations Management

  • Provide leadership and oversight for all perioperative services, including the Operating Room, PACU, Pre-Op, and Sterile Processing Department (SPD).
  • Develop and implement policies, procedures, and best practices to enhance efficiency, patient safety, and quality outcomes.
  • Ensure proper coordination between perioperative services and other hospital departments for seamless patient care.
  • Lead initiatives to optimize Operating Room utilization, case scheduling, and turnover times while maintaining high-quality care.

• Sterile Processing Department (SPD) Oversight

  • Ensure compliance with sterilization, decontamination, and infection prevention standards (CDPH, Joint Commission, and CMS guidelines).
  • Oversee instrument and equipment reprocessing to ensure availability for surgical cases.
  • Implement best practices for SPD workflow, inventory management, and staff training to maintain operational efficiency.

• Financial; Budgetary Management

  • Develop and manage operating and capital budgets for perioperative services and SPD.
  • Identify opportunities for cost containment and revenue growth while maintaining quality care.
  • Oversee surgical supply chain management, equipment procurement, and vendor negotiations.

• Quality, Safety, Compliance

  • Ensure adherence to regulatory and accreditation standards (CDPH, Joint Commission, CMS, OSHA, and other health regulations).
  • Drive quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient safety, infection control, and surgical outcomes.
  • Monitor clinical performance metrics, patient satisfaction scores, and efficiency benchmarks, implementing corrective actions as needed.

• Staff Development; Engagement

  • Recruit, train, and mentor nursing, SPD, and surgical staff to ensure high performance and job satisfaction.
  • Foster a collaborative and accountable work culture that promotes teamwork and professional growth.
  • Develop and oversee continuing education and competency programs for perioperative and SPD staff.

• Collaboration; Physician Relations

  • Work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nursing leadership to enhance surgical services and improve patient outcomes.
  • Address physician concerns and facilitate OR efficiency, block scheduling, and case volume growth.
  • Act as a liaison between administration and surgical teams to align operational goals.

QUALIFICATIONS/JOB REQUIREMENTS

• EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

  • Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN) required; Master’s degree (MSN, MHA, MBA) preferred.
  • Minimum of 2-3 years of progressive leadership experience in perioperative services, including sterile processing.

• LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION

  • CNOR (Certified Perioperative Nurse) or CSSM (Certified Surgical Services Manager) preferred.
  • CRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician) or CHL (Certified Healthcare Leader) certification for sterile processing oversight preferred.

• SKILLS and COMPETENCIES

  • Expertise in perioperative workflows, surgical case management, and SPD operations.
  • Strong leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
  • Knowledge of Epic, Cerner, or other OR scheduling and documentation systems.
  • Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with physicians, staff, and hospital leadership.

AHMC Seton Medical Center is a 377 bed hospital facility serving the San Mateo County and San Francisco County areas.