Clinical Operations Manager, Nursing
Department: Clinical Operations
Reports to: Chief Nursing Officer
Direct reports: None
Primary focus: Emergency Department nursing operations and direct clinical practice, with support for nursing assignments across the organization
Position Summary
The Clinical Operations Manager, Nursing- supports clinical nursing operations across Tribal Health's IHS and tribally operated client sites, with primary responsibility for Emergency Department assignments. The position coordinates staffing and schedules, supports the launch of new Emergency Department contracts, and addresses clinical and operational matters affecting nursing assignments and continuity of care.
Reporting to the Chief Nursing Officer, the manager serves as a clinical resource for travel nurses and client sites, including locations outside Tribal Health's practice management contracts. Direct clinical practice is an essential responsibility of the position. The manager also supports onboarding, designated Joint Commission activities, and special projects, and may serve in an interim Emergency Department nursing leadership capacity when assigned.
Key Responsibilities
Nursing Scheduling and Staffing Operations
• Oversee and help coordinate nursing schedules across multiple IHS and tribally operated sites, primarily Emergency Departments.
• Work with site leaders and internal teams to identify coverage gaps, manage schedule changes, and respond to staffing needs.
• Oversee the operational use of Tribal Health's scheduling app for assigned nursing teams, help users resolve issues, and keep schedule information accurate.
• Maintain the nursing bonus spreadsheet and coordinate with appropriate teams to verify information and resolve discrepancies.
• Provide nursing on-call coverage in the absence of the Chief Nursing Officer or as directed.
Site Support and Contract Launches
• Provide hands-on operational support during new Emergency Department contract launches, including staffing readiness, onboarding, scheduling, and early issue resolution.
• Help nurses navigate new assignments, including arrival, housing concerns, site orientation, and local logistics.
• Work with internal administrative teams and client contacts to resolve housing and assignment issues.
• Work clinical shifts as an essential, ongoing responsibility of the position. The number, timing, and location of shifts will be determined by operational need and at the direction of the Chief Nursing Officer, consistent with licensure, competency, and site requirements.
• Serve temporarily in an Emergency Department nursing supervisor role when assigned, with scope and duration defined by leadership.
Clinical Concerns and Staff Matters
• Serve as a clinical resource when a client raises concerns about a travel nurse, particularly at sites outside Tribal Health's practice management contracts.
• Gather relevant information, listen to the client and staff member, document concerns, and help determine immediate steps needed to protect patient care.
• Assist the Chief Nursing Officer and HR with clinical review and follow-up, which may include coaching, formal written warning, removal from an assignment, or a recommendation for termination.
• Communicate decisions and carry out follow-up as directed. The Chief Nursing Officer retains primary responsibility for clinical personnel decisions in coordination with HR and other appropriate leaders.
• Promptly escalate patient safety concerns, serious conduct issues, and matters that may require regulatory reporting.
Onboarding Quality and Compliance
• Assist with nursing onboarding so staff have the information, access, and support needed to begin assignments.
• Conduct assigned internal audits of employee files and coordinate correction and follow-up with appropriate teams.
• Support and administer the organization's Do Not Return (DNR) policy and process, including documentation, review, and escalation.
• Manage assigned Joint Commission Connect reporting and related follow-up.
• Identify recurring operational or compliance issues and bring recommendations to leadership.
• Support special clinical operations projects at the direction of the Chief Nursing Officer.
Authority and Working Relationships
This position reports to the Chief Nursing Officer and has no direct reports. The manager coordinates assigned nursing operations across sites and may exercise temporary supervisory authority only when specifically assigned to an interim site leadership role. The manager works closely with HR, recruiting and scheduling teams, site leaders, and frontline nurses.
The manager may take immediate steps within established policy to address a patient safety concern or urgent staffing issue. Formal discipline, termination, compensation changes, and decisions affecting a client contract require review and approval through the appropriate leadership process.
Required Qualifications
• Associate degree in nursing (ADN) from an accredited nursing program.
• Current, unrestricted registered nurse license, with eligibility to practice in assigned locations and ability to maintain all required credentials.
• At least five years of Emergency Department nursing experience and at least three years of Emergency Department supervisory experience.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification; must maintain active Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) certifications.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Emergency Department clinical workflows, staffing, patient safety, and escalation practices.
• Strong customer service and listening skills, sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to address sensitive client and staff concerns respectfully.
• Humility, respect for Indigenous communities and Tribal sovereignty, and the ability to work effectively with Indigenous patients, staff, leaders, and communities. Willingness to learn each community's priorities, protocols, and expectations.
• Ability to coordinate work across multiple sites, manage competing priorities, document accurately, and communicate clearly with frontline and executive teams.
• Proficiency with scheduling applications, spreadsheets, electronic records, and other systems used for staffing and compliance work.
• Ability to travel to client sites and perform the essential clinical and operational duties of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Preferred Qualifications
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• Experience working with Tribal communities, IHS facilities, or tribally operated health care organizations.
• Experience with Joint Commission standards, personnel file audits, and new clinical service launches.
Measures of Success
Success includes dependable nursing schedules, completion of clinical shifts as directed by the Chief Nursing Officer, timely resolution of coverage and assignment issues, effective support for new contract launches, accurate scheduling and bonus records, respectful follow-up on clinical concerns, strong relationships with client communities, and completion of assigned Joint Commission activities.
Native American Preference: Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Native American candidates in accordance with federal law (Title 25, USC Section 472). Form BIA-4432 should be submitted with the application. For more information about Native American Preference in employment please click here.
