Unit Director - Ortho/Surgical (West Shore)

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Registered Nurse (RN) with proven leadership experience to serve as Unit Director for our 30-bed Ortho Surgical department. This fast-paced, collaborative unit provides care for a diverse patient population, including orthopedic, general surgery, urology, podiatry, and medical patients. The Unit Director maintains 24-hour accountability for leading and managing the unit, ensuring an outstanding experience for patients and employees by continuously improving the quality of patient care, creating a healthy workplace, and overseeing clinical and administrative functions.

A sign-on bonus is available for eligible candidates.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with medical staff to monitor patient outcomes, set clinical quality priorities, recommend and implement professional improvements, and execute unit-based patient safety initiatives.
• Monitor dashboard indicators and quality metrics to meet organizational goals; develop action plans to address specific concerns and improve quality.
• Utilize research and evidence-based practice to support clinical care improvements; share learnings across the business unit or system.
• Analyze nurse and patient satisfaction data; develop action plans to address areas of concern.
• Support and encourage staff involvement in evidence-based practice and quality improvement initiatives.
• Develop and maintain productive working relationships internally and externally through mentoring, positive communication, and conflict resolution.
• Plan department work schedules collaboratively to support safety, appropriate worked hours, and a healthy lifestyle.
• Convey information clearly through various media to engage audiences and ensure understanding and retention.
• Coach staff on cultural diversity and address workplace horizontal violence and impairment.
• Create an environment that recognizes and values differences among staff, physicians, patients, and communities.
• Develop and operationalize a shared vision for the unit/department using critical thinking, financial, and quality data.
• Orchestrate complex change, acknowledging psychological transitions and involving stakeholders in planning and redesign.
• Establish a culture of patient-centered care within the framework of Relationship Based Care, using the nursing process to meet clinical, psychological, and spiritual needs.
• Ensure nursing practice aligns with established Clinical Standards of Performance as defined by organizational, system, professional, and regulatory bodies.
• Apply national best practices and evidence-based approaches to build a culture of excellence in patient care.
• Promote interdisciplinary partnership and consultation through committee participation and related activities.
• Set clinical, financial, and human resources priorities in alignment with organizational goals.
• Demonstrate fiscal responsibility in budget management, including flexible staffing patterns to meet patient care needs.
• Set high standards of performance for self and others; foster innovation, optimism, and professional growth.
• Create developmental paths for staff, including clinical orientation, continuing education, and support for specialty certification.
• Develop a best-practice climate for the growth of students and new nurses; actively recruit nursing students through exceptional clinical experiences.
• Support shared governance through a unit-based professional practice council and utilize staff feedback to improve care and practice.
• Lead and develop Clinicians reporting directly to you, building leadership, communication, and mentorship skills.
• Support Clinicians in oversight of direct reports, including performance reviews, recruitment, and difficult conversations.
• Assist with planning, implementing, and verifying that all direct care providers and staff have the required knowledge, skills, and competencies.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and interact appropriately with patients of all ages, assessing data reflective of patient status and interpreting age-specific needs.

Requirements

• Minimum of 4 years of progressive leadership experience required; relevant clinical experience preferred.
• Analytical ability to evaluate staff, address clinical issues, and devise solutions to complex problems.
• Leadership ability to develop staff, establish performance standards, and comply with administrative requirements within a national context for professional nursing practice.
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills to build relationships supporting a healing environment with patients, families, staff, physicians, and senior management.

Qualifications

• BS/BSN required at time of hire; master’s degree/MSN required. If BS degree is not in nursing, a Master’s or higher degree in Nursing is required. If Master’s degree is not in nursing, a BSN is required.
• If the master’s degree/MSN is not present at time of hire, must be enrolled in a Master’s or MSN program within one year of hire/transfer date and completed within three years of enrollment.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances

• Current licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse in the practicing state.
• Registered Nurse (RN) licensure.
• Act 34 clearance.
• Current licensure either in the state where the facility is located or, if the facility is in a state covered by the multistate Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) agreement, a multistate license issued by a participating NLC state. Hires and current employees working on an out-of-state NLC license who later change their residency to the state where the facility is located will have 60 days to apply for licensure within that state.