Director, Perioperative Services

Westchester Medical Center•Kingston, NY

About The Position

The Director of Perioperative Services provides leadership across perioperative patient care units and supports excellence and innovation in clinical nursing practice and patient care. The role aligns departmental operations with HealthAlliance and WMCHealth missions, values, and strategic plans, and is responsible for quality, staffing, budgets, operational performance, and patient experience across the perioperative continuum. The Director also assists the Vice President of Nursing in overseeing Perioperative Services departments system-wide.

Requirements

At least five years of experience in healthcare administration leadership.
Bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Valid New York State Registered Nurse license.
Ability to comply with infection-control policies, exercise universal precautions, and use personal protective equipment and devices.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in nursing.

Responsibilities

Develop and sustain an environment that supports excellent and innovative clinical nursing practice and patient care by assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating programs and standards.
Manage staff functions, including interviewing, hiring, development, retention, evaluation, counseling, discipline, and termination.
Facilitate the Perioperative Services budget, estimate future personnel and equipment needs, support strategic and financial planning, and ensure resources are used effectively.
Develop practices to meet objectives and address unfavorable performance variances; lead strategies for cost-effective quality care.
Coach, mentor, support, and consult with managers, colleagues, and staff, serving as a role model in professional behavior, leadership, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
Delegate authority and accountability to nursing staff for clinical practice and patient care decisions consistent with professional standards, regulations, and organizational policies.
Identify patient and family needs and recommend or develop services to meet them; ensure appropriate age-specific equipment, supplies, and educational resources are available.
Collaborate with WMC Administration and physicians to identify opportunities and set direction for Perioperative Services; implement plans to achieve OR efficiency, productivity, and patient-throughput targets.
Maintain a departmental Quality Improvement Plan consistent with the organizational Quality Management Plan; develop and implement standards, policies, and procedures, and continuously assess and improve department performance and service.
Review financial reports and make changes to reduce costs for supplies, staffing, and service agreements or identify suitable alternatives for purchasing equipment and supplies.
Participate in or chair committees, work groups, and meetings as appropriate.
Ensure interdisciplinary performance-improvement programs are active and ongoing; follow up to ensure complaints are handled satisfactorily and collaborate to maintain excellent clinical services.
Participate in strategic planning related to patient care and the overall planning process for the service.
Maintain professional growth through seminars, workshops, in-services, current literature, and professional affiliations; support and promote education and research.
Maintain knowledge of and ensure compliance with regulatory and professional standards, including DNV, CMS, IHI, and CAP.
Use tracer methodology findings to develop corrective action plans and embed quality of care into clinical practice; develop improvement programs, instruct staff, and implement improved standards.
Use patient satisfaction survey findings and staff input to establish a unit-based customer-service agenda.
Use staff satisfaction survey findings and staff input to establish a unit-based recruitment and retention agenda.
Respond sensitively and compassionately to patient and family concerns or complaints in a timely manner.
Conduct monthly staff meetings addressing equipment, scheduling, goals and objectives, performance metrics, improvement activities, and staff concerns.
Assist the Vice President of Nursing with oversight of all Perioperative Services departments system-wide.
Meet with head nurses to support service-line excellence and physician satisfaction.
Oversee support and ancillary staff operations, including PCA, anesthesia technicians, and clerks.
Serve as a WMCHealth brand ambassador by upholding its mission, vision, and CARE values and promoting excellence in every patient encounter.
Exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn infection-control policies when exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials is anticipated.