DIRECTOR OF SURGERY

Description

POSITION TITLE: Surgery Nursing Director

DEPARTMENT: Surgery

EMPLOYEE REPORTS TO: Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

SUPERVISES: N/A

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Part-time

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

This job description is a record of the essential functions of the listed job. The job description provides the employee, CEO, Human Resources, applicants and other agencies with a clear understanding of the job, where it fits into the organization, and the skill and work requirements in relation to other jobs. Jobs are always changing to some degree and the existence of the approved job description is not intended to limit normal change and growth. The facility will make reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified individuals who are capable of performing the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Surgery Nursing Director is responsible for overseeing all peri-operative nursing duties within the Surgery Department including pre-op, intra-operative care & recovery room, ensuring regulatory compliance, adherence to nursing processes, and the delivery of high-quality patient care. The Surgery Nursing Director supervises all nursing duties of personnel in surgical areas and is responsible for the coordination of the Total Joint Program. This role reports directly to the CAO but collaborates with the Director of Nursing on nursing-related matters and OR manager on all administrative and non-nursing technical aspects of OR management.

Requirements

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

• •Must be currently licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the State of California.
• •Graduate from an accredited school of nursing.
• •Current CPR certification.
• •2-5 years of experience in the OR, with a minimum of 2 years of experience in nursing management.
• •Demonstrated leadership abilities, with completion of a critical care class, including basic arrhythmia interpretation.
• •Knowledge and experience in the perioperative care of surgical patients.
• •Ability to work under stressful situations and make sound decisions.
• •Strong oral and written communication skills.
• •Demonstrated interpersonal skills to promote conflict resolution and staff development.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Position-Specific Performance Measures:

• •Direct and supervise nursing staff in the OR, post-anesthesia care unit, Central Supply, and surgical coordination.
• •Maintain compliance with nursing standards and ensure a safe environment for all patients in the surgical department.
• •Review staff performance evaluations and ensure high standards of care are consistently met.
• •Analyze and implement necessary changes in staffing patterns, training, and processes based on new demands from surgical procedures and equipment.
• •Maintain a strong focus on patient care, staff morale, and productivity.
• •Ensure regular and effective communication with staff, hold timely staff meetings, and provide opportunities for discussion of issues or concerns.
• •Participate in maintaining the Quality Assurance Program, reviewing patient and staff incidents and complaints, and taking appropriate action as needed.

Essential Functions:

• •Direct and supervise all nursing personnel in the OR, post-anesthesia care unit, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and hospital policies.
• •Oversee the perioperative care of patients in the immediate pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative stages, evaluating the quality of nursing care provided.
• •Provide leadership in maintaining high levels of nursing care and a safe environment for all patients within the surgery department.
• •Ensure nursing policies and procedures are up to date and in compliance with hospital and regulatory standards; collaborate with medical staff and committees to establish and maintain OR department policies.
• •Act as a liaison between OR services, medical staff, and hospital administration, ensuring smooth coordination and communication.
• •Supervise and assist with the scheduling of surgical procedures, working closely with surgeons, clinics, and other departments to maximize OR effectiveness and capacity.
• •Control the quality and quantity of nursing care by updating policies, establishing performance standards, analyzing needs, and implementing necessary training or changes.
• •Conduct performance evaluations of nursing staff, providing supportive counseling and guidance where needed.
• •Ensure that staff meetings are held regularly and that policies and procedural changes are communicated effectively to all personnel.
• •Manage the review and selection of supplies, instruments, and equipment in coordination with cost controls.
• •Coordinate with the facilities manager and Infection Control staff regarding physical facilities and processes to maintain a sterile and safe surgical environment.
• •Participate in Quality Assurance Programs, including monitoring statistics, absenteeism, turnover, patient and physician complaints, and incidents involving employees or patients, ensuring appropriate follow-up.
• •Anticipate staffing needs and coordinate with other department managers to ensure appropriate staffing levels without downtime; plan staffing at least two weeks in advance.
• •Make daily rounds in all surgical areas, ensuring sound nursing judgment, effective work processes, and economical use of supplies and equipment.
• •Serve as a pre-operative, post-operative, central supply technician, or scrub nurse as necessary; function as a house supervisor or float to other nursing departments when surgical schedules are slow.
• •Participate in nursing leadership meetings and associated hospital committees, contributing to overall hospital nursing management and decision-making.

Total Joint Program Coordination Duties:

• •Serve as a liaison between OR leadership, ORs, patients within the service line, and the physician's offices and care teams.
• •Possess expertise in sterile and aseptic technique and apply knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and relevant tools and technologies for invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, in accordance with AORN standards.
• •Maintain flexibility while contributing to individualized, ongoing care within the scope of nursing practice.
• •Model effective, timely communication with the perioperative team, fully participating in Time Out Processes, including briefings and debriefings.
• •Maintain currency in new technologies and procedures, including instrumentation and equipment.
• •Assist with patient coordination, ensuring operating efficiencies, throughput, and an optimal patient experience.
• •Perform follow-up communication and documentation throughout the patient experience, including patient updates, issues, and scheduling, via electronic health record (EHR) platforms and coordinate with clinical providers through 90 days post-surgery.
• •Identify and escalate concerns as needed regarding patient care and experience, and report patient experience and service concerns through leadership, ensuring documentation of occurrences.
• •Intervene and escalate patient medical concerns through the OR Manager and associated clinical team, ensuring proper documentation is completed in the patient charting system.
• •Collaborate with interdisciplinary groups to ensure the quality and delivery of services for the Total Joint Service Line.
• •Assist Case Management with auditing patient status orders before, during, and post-surgery for consistency and claim accuracy.
• •Perform other duties as assigned, ensuring compliance with HIPAA.
• •Obtain Orthopedic Nurse Certification (ONC) within one year of hire

HOSPITAL PERFORMANCE MEASURES:

Attendance/Tardiness:

• •Does not abuse or take advantage of sick time or personal days off. The standard is 5 unscheduled absences in a 12 month period.
• •Reports to work as scheduled; is consistently ready to work at start of the assigned shift. Returns from lunches and breaks on time. The sta