System Director of Surgical Services

Job Description

Job Summary

The Director, Surgical Services provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the surgical services department, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality patient care. This role is responsible for departmental planning, regulatory compliance, financial management, and fostering collaboration among multidisciplinary teams. The Director promotes a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement to optimize surgical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and operational efficiency.

Essential Functions

• Oversees daily operations of the Surgical Services department, ensuring effective scheduling, staffing, and resource allocation to support safe and efficient patient care.
• Develops and implements departmental goals, policies, and procedures that align with organizational objectives and promote high standards of surgical care.
• Ensures compliance with all regulatory and accreditation requirements, including The Joint Commission and CMS standards.
• Leads quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient safety, surgical outcomes, and operational performance.
• Prepares, monitors, and manages the departmental budget, implementing cost-saving measures while maintaining high standards of care and service delivery.
• Collaborates with surgeons, anesthesiologists, nursing staff, and other stakeholders to coordinate surgical schedules, optimize patient flow, and facilitate interdisciplinary communication.
• Recruits, hires, and retains highly qualified surgical services staff, providing mentorship, fostering professional development, and promoting continuing education opportunities.
• Monitors and evaluates patient care processes and outcomes, addressing patient concerns and implementing strategies to improve satisfaction and experience.
• Drives initiatives to create and sustain a positive work culture, achieving employee satisfaction and retention goals through effective leadership and management practices.
• Responds to and resolves patient care issues, complaints, and incidents, conducting investigations and implementing corrective actions as necessary.
• Maintains current knowledge of industry trends, clinical best practices, and emerging technologies, ensuring the department remains competitive and compliant with evolving standards.
• Establishes and monitors key performance metrics, using data-driven insights to identify opportunities for improvement and to measure departmental success.
• Collaborates with Supply Chain and Procurement teams to manage inventory, surgical instruments, and equipment, ensuring availability and proper utilization.
• Participates in strategic planning and organizational initiatives to expand surgical services and enhance the facility’s market position.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or related field required
• Master's Degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration or a related field preferred
• 4-6 years of clinical experience in surgical services required
• 2-4 years of progressive leadership experience in surgical services or perioperative settings required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong understanding of surgical procedures, practices, and technology.
• Strong leadership ability with organizational, communication, negotiation and decision-making skills.
• Ability to analyze data and use metrics to drive decision-making and improvements.
• Ability to gather information, delegate and support teams.
• Ability to evaluate situations to make effective decisions, provide solutions and improve work processes.
• Excellent human relations, oral and written communications skills, and ability to meet customer needs.
• Ability to partner with customers, peer and others.
• Promotes the organization's purpose and ambition. Encourages and values diversity.

Licenses and Certifications

• RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure required
• BCLS - Basic Life Support issued by American Heart Association (AHA), American Red Cross (ARC), or American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) required
• ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support issued by American Heart Association (AHA), American Red Cross (ARC), or American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) required