Director Of Nursing - Outpatient Surgical Services

Pedes Orange County•Irvine, CA

1d•$130,000 - $160,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Nursing (DON) – Surgical Services is a senior executive leader responsible for the clinical oversight, operational excellence, and accreditation compliance of two ambulatory surgery centers. This role provides strategic and hands-on leadership across all nursing and surgical staff functions, including hiring, staffing, education, and role development. The DON serves as the primary clinical authority within the organization, partnering with the Vice President of Operations and Center Manager to ensure both surgery centers deliver safe, high-quality, and compliant patient care. The DON leads all QUAD A accreditation initiatives and quality assurance activities, and acts as a key liaison between clinical staff and physician partners.

Requirements

Active Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing, required
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required
Minimum 5–7 years of progressive nursing leadership experience, with at least 3 years in an ambulatory surgery center, perioperative, or surgical services setting
Demonstrated experience managing accreditation processes
Proven track record in clinical quality assurance, performance improvement, and regulatory compliance
Strong experience in staff hiring, development, and operational leadership
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to lead, influence, and collaborate across clinical and administrative functions

Nice To Haves

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or related graduate degree strongly preferred
QUAD A experience strongly preferred (AAAHC or Joint Commission accreditation experience also considered)
CNOR (Certified Nurse Operating Room) or CASC (Certified Administrator Surgery Center) certification
Experience leading multi-site clinical operations
Familiarity with physician practice environments and the operational dynamics of a combined practice and surgery center model
Experience developing clinical education curricula and competency assessment programs

Responsibilities

Serve as a core member of the executive leadership team, contributing clinical perspective to organizational strategy, planning, and decision-making
Partner with the VP of Operations to set clinical goals, performance benchmarks, and quality improvement priorities across both surgery centers
Collaborate daily with the Center Manager to ensure alignment between clinical operations and physician practice management and administrative functions
Represent the nursing and clinical teams in executive discussions, advocating for resources, staffing, and operational improvements
Serve as the organization's primary point of accountability for QUAD A accreditation compliance across both surgery centers
Maintain current knowledge of all QUAD A standards and ensure ongoing operational and documentation adherence
Oversee all accreditation logs, clinical records, and required documentation to ensure accuracy, completeness, and timely submission
Lead preparation for accreditation surveys, mock audits, and on-site reviews
Develop and execute corrective action plans in response to any accreditation findings or deficiencies
Design, lead, and manage all accreditation-related quality assurance projects and clinical performance improvement initiatives
Analyze clinical data, incident reports, and outcome metrics to identify trends and areas for improvement
Establish and monitor key quality indicators across both centers, reporting findings and recommendations to the VP and executive team
Foster a culture of continuous quality improvement among all clinical and surgical staff
Oversee the day-to-day clinical operations of both surgery centers, ensuring efficient, safe, and patient-centered care delivery
Proactively identify operational delays, bottlenecks, and workflow inefficiencies and lead the development of practical, sustainable solutions
Monitor surgical scheduling, room turnover, and case flow to optimize throughput and minimize disruption
Ensure all clinical areas maintain readiness standards for both routine operations and emergency situations
Serve as the primary clinical nursing liaison for physician partners, addressing clinical concerns, discrepancies, and issues in a timely and professional manner
Facilitate communication and resolution between physicians and clinical staff when care delivery, protocols, or procedural standards are in question
Support physicians in maintaining a safe and compliant surgical environment and collaborate on process improvements related to clinical care delivery
Lead all aspects of surgical nursing and clinical staff recruitment, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding across both surgery centers
Develop and maintain staffing models that ensure appropriate coverage, skill mix, and continuity of care for all surgical services
Monitor and manage staffing levels in response to case volume, scheduling changes, and staff availability
Conduct performance evaluations, manage disciplinary processes, and support staff retention initiatives in collaboration with the Center Manager and VP
Develop, implement, and oversee clinical education and competency programs for all surgical nursing and clinical support staff
Ensure all staff maintain required certifications, licensure, and competencies relevant to their roles and applicable regulatory standards
Identify skill gaps and create targeted development plans to elevate the clinical capabilities of the team
Design and refine role structures, job responsibilities, and career pathways for surgical staff to support organizational growth and staff engagement
Champion a culture of clinical excellence, accountability, and professional development throughout both centers
Ensure all clinical documentation practices across both surgery centers meet QUAD A, state regulatory, and organizational standards
Oversee the maintenance and accuracy of accreditation logs, quality records, policy and procedure documentation, and clinical audit trails
Lead policy and procedure development and review cycles, ensuring documents are current, evidence-based, and operationally relevant