Career Center

Vanderbilt University Medical Center Executive Search Team is conducting a national search for a Senior Director Nursing, Emergency Department . The Senior Nursing Director will report directly to the Associate Nursing Officer of Vanderbilt University Adult Hospital (VUH).

The Senior Director Nursing is responsible for the overall operation and direction of patient care in the Emergency Care setting as well as leading and mentoring staff to ensure the highest levels of patient safety and care are always met. This Senior Director Nursing will have two (2) direct reports (managers) with overall leadership responsibility for ~350 fulltime employees.

Key Responsibilities:

• Consult regarding with ANO nursing matters and interpretation of hospital policies to ensure patient needs are met.
• Attend weekly meetings with emergency physician leadership to improve the overall operations and patient flow of the Emergency Department.
• Evaluate the needs of the department by developing and implementing new programs or making changes to existing programs.
• Act as a liaison for the department and developing strong interdepartmental relationships by participating in several hospital boards including, the pre-hospital care and quality improvement boards.
• Lead change regarding quality of care and operational enhancements including implementation and communication plans.
• Direct with management staff performance improvement activities within the department and participates in CQI activities.
• Work with Risk Management and Accrediting bodies to ensure excellent and safe patient care is consistently delivered.
• Assist in formulating budget and Capital Management planning.
• Accountable for compliance, labor productivity, and cost improvements within the department.
• Oversight and execution for staff satisfaction and engagement while also delivering on patient service expectations.
• Responsible for staff education and development.
• Directs staff through management team to maintain day to day operations and staffing

Department/Unit Summary:

The Adult Emergency Department is the Level 1 Trauma Center for Middle Tennessee with 92 treatment areas including four (4) trauma bays. The Vanderbilt Emergency Department offers 24/7 care and we see ~70,000 patients annually. We are Nashville's only academic medical center with a Level 1 Trauma, Burn Center, Stroke Center and LifeFlight , Vanderbilt's aeromedical service, operating 8 rotor and 1 fixed wing aircraft delivering advanced prehospital care throughout the region.

Specialty Services

• Trauma Care . Trauma patients arriving at Vanderbilt alive have a 95% chance of survival. Our expert care can make the difference between life and death. Vanderbilt is the only adult and pediatric Level 1 trauma center in Middle Tennessee, offering the most advanced emergency care available.
• Burn Care. The Vanderbilt Burn Center is a Level 1 unit, offering the highest level of burn care possible.
• Stroke Care. Our Comprehensive Stroke Center earns the highest level of distinction for stroke care.
• Heart Care . Our emergency department is also an Accredited Chest Pain Center. We use advanced methods to evaluate and treat heart attacks and other heart problems. STEMI Network . Vanderbilt founded the STEMI Network to improve care for heart attack patients in rural Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky. This network reaches patients who have a type of heart attack called ST-segments Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI).
• Transplant Center . Vanderbilt is one of the largest and most experienced transplant centers in the Southeast having performed over 8300 solid organ transplants since 1962

Additional Responsibilities:

• Perform administrative and/or management functions involving independent exercise of judgment and discretion
• Establish and maintain professional liaison with clients, university faculty and staff, students, and professional groups
• Serve as member of the departmental administrative team
• Attend meetings and interact with other staff or organizations as requested by department leadership
• Exercise discretion and control over programs, projects and assignments
• Establish and lead project plans, liaison among student groups, academic leadership and project directors, volunteer units, and service areas and other areas as required.
• Respond to special focus groups (staff, faculty, students, government and community liaison) in complex program/project development; prepare complex and confidential written communication as required
• Facilitate meetings to gather supportive data, concerns, and ideas to develop program in support of program/project objectives.
• Develop financial information for review and analysis
• Present financial data and recommendations relating to income and expenditures
• Create customized budget reports for programs and key divisions
• Manage equipment inventory and space utilization
• Develop and management departmental human resource administration for multiple supervisors
• Develop, maintain and communicate departmental policies, procedures and processes
• Supervise the maintenance of confidential records dealing with payroll actions, employee performance and related personnel activities
• Conduct research projects utilizing statistical analyses; prepare recommendations and decision alternatives
• Present recommendations to management for approval and implementation.
• Facilitate projects and oversee committees in support of program goals.

The mission of Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Through exceptional capabilities and caring spirit of its people, VUMC will lead in improving the healthcare of individuals and communities regionally, nationally and internationally. We will combine our transformative learning programs and compelling discoveries to provide distinctive personalized care.