Nurse Manager of Surgical Services

Community Health Systems Professional Services Corporation•Fort Wayne, IN

About The Position

Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is seeking a full-time Nurse Manager of Surgical Services. The role oversees the daily operations and coordination of care across pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative surgical services. The manager leads clinical and non-clinical staff, supports quality and safety initiatives, and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care. The position also advances departmental performance and employee engagement while aligning surgical services with hospital-wide operational, financial, and strategic goals. The manager provides staff leadership and development, schedules employees, conducts performance evaluations, and consults with the Director on staffing issues. The role includes developing and managing the departmental budget, monitoring expenditures, evaluating technologies, and developing policies and procedures. The manager also supports quality assurance, regulatory compliance, audits, inspections, and accreditation processes, and works with hospital leaders to coordinate and improve service delivery. The manager may perform staff duties when required. The employer offers competitive compensation and benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, a 401(k) with employer matching, PTO and an Extended Illness Bank, professional development and leadership training, advancement opportunities, recognition programs, and employee discounts and perks.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, or four or more years of direct experience in lieu of a bachelor's degree.
Two to four years of experience in a closely related field with a bachelor's degree.
Registered Nurse (RN) state licensure and/or compact state licensure.
Basic Life Support (BCLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or American Safety and Health Institute.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or American Safety and Health Institute.
Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
Ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and manage cross-functional relationships.
Ability to foster a positive work environment that promotes teamwork, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
Ability to communicate effectively with leadership, team members, and stakeholders.
Ability to work effectively with others, delegate responsibilities, and independently manage tasks while meeting deadlines.
Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
In-depth knowledge of industry best practices and regulatory compliance, if applicable.
Proficiency with Google and Microsoft platforms, healthcare software systems, and data analysis tools.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree.
Two to four years of previous leadership experience.
Clinical specialty certification in perioperative nursing, such as CNOR.

Responsibilities

Oversee patient care across preoperative, operative, and postoperative phases.
Supervise, support, and evaluate surgical services staff, ensuring compliance with clinical standards and regulatory requirements.
Apply evidence-based practices and performance improvement methods to improve clinical outcomes, patient safety, and workflow efficiency.
Analyze patient satisfaction, quality, staffing, and operational data to guide continuous improvement.
Develop and implement surgical services policies, procedures, and practice standards in accordance with hospital and regulatory guidelines.
Collaborate with physicians, department leaders, and support services to promote effective communication and continuity of care and resolve operational issues.
Engage staff in identifying improvement opportunities, risk mitigation strategies, and best practices.
Participate in strategic planning, program development, and capital and resource planning for the surgical department.
Provide leadership, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for departmental staff.
Schedule employees to ensure effective use of resources and consult with the Director on staffing issues.
Conduct performance evaluations, set goals, and provide staff feedback on performance and development.
Develop and manage the departmental budget, monitor expenditures, and support cost-effective operations while maintaining service quality.
Evaluate and implement technologies to enhance operational efficiency.
Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory bodies and participate in audits, inspections, and accreditation processes as applicable.
Follow quality control practices to ensure accuracy, consistency, and safety.
Work with leadership teams to coordinate and improve service delivery, and stay current with industry advancements, technologies, and regulatory changes.
Perform staff duties when required and fulfill the competencies established for that role.
Maintain regular and reliable attendance and comply with all policies and standards.
Perform other duties as assigned.