Assistant Nurse Manager, Perioperative Services

Howard University Hospital•Washington, DC

About The Position

Howard University Hospital seeks an experienced Assistant Nurse Manager – Perioperative Services to provide operational and clinical leadership within our Operating Room. This role partners closely with the OR Nurse Manager to oversee daily surgical operations, ensure safe and efficient case flow, and lead frontline nursing staff in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. The Assistant Nurse Manager plays a critical leadership role in optimizing surgical throughput, maintaining regulatory compliance, supporting staff performance, and ensuring excellence in perioperative practice. This position serves as the operational leader in the absence of the Nurse Manager and directly impacts patient safety, team performance, and surgical efficiency.

Requirements

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) required.
Minimum two (2) years of Operating Room Registered Nurse experience required.
Minimum one (1) year of supervisory or leadership experience required.
Current District of Columbia Registered Nurse license required.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
CNOR (Certified Nurse Operating Room) or National Nursing Leadership certification required within one (1) year of hire.
Demonstrated leadership and team development skills
Strong operational decision-making and critical thinking abilities
Effective communication and conflict resolution
Commitment to patient advocacy and evidence-based practice
Cultural responsiveness and emotional intelligence
Knowledge of perioperative regulatory and accreditation standards

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
Incumbent must obtain BSN within three (3) years of assuming the role if not already completed.

Responsibilities

Oversee daily OR operations, ensuring safe surgical flow, on-time case starts, and efficient room turnover.
Develop and manage staffing schedules, assignments, and on-call coverage based on surgical volume and patient acuity.
Supervise, coach, and evaluate perioperative nursing staff; participate in performance management and corrective action processes.
Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesia, Sterile Processing, scheduling, and hospital leadership to coordinate high-quality surgical care.
Monitor and escalate significant events, patient concerns, and safety risks in alignment with Just Culture principles.
Support regulatory readiness and compliance with professional standards including AORN, Joint Commission, CMS Conditions of Participation, and DC Board of Nursing requirements.
Lead and participate in performance improvement initiatives, audits, preference card updates, and workflow optimization efforts.
Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, professionalism, and continuous learning within the perioperative department.