Director of Nursing - CVICU / Cardiovascular Critical Care Leadership (Heart Hospital)
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Salary: $130,000 - $150,000 + bonus eligibility
Shift: Day Shift | Full-Time
Overview
Join a high-acuity cardiovascular critical care environment as the Director of Nursing for CVICU. This role provides 24-hour leadership accountability for nursing operations, clinical quality, staffing, and employee engagement within a specialized cardiac care unit. The position plays a key role in driving patient outcomes, nurse development, and operational excellence within a nationally recognized heart-focused facility.
What You Will Be Doing
• Provide 24/7 leadership and oversight for CVICU nursing operations
• Lead staffing, scheduling, recruitment, and retention initiatives
• Ensure high-quality patient care and compliance with clinical standards
• Oversee quality metrics, chart audits, and patient satisfaction initiatives
• Partner with physicians and cardiothoracic teams to coordinate care delivery
• Support nurse development, mentorship, and performance management
• Manage operational workflows including staffing coverage and timekeeping
• Participate in leadership meetings and cross-functional hospital initiatives
• Address census variability and support operational efficiency improvements
• Drive continuous improvement in patient outcomes and team engagement
What You Will Need
• Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN required; MSN preferred)
• Active RN license in New Mexico or eligible compact state license
• Minimum 3-5 years of CVICU clinical experience
• At least 2 years of nursing leadership experience (manager-level or higher)
• Strong background in cardiovascular critical care nursing
• Ability to work in high-acuity environments and support bedside care when needed
• Experience with ECMO, LVAD, Impella, open heart, and balloon pump cases preferred
• Strong leadership, communication, and team development skills
• Proven ability to manage staffing, quality, and operational performance
Ideal Candidate Profile
This role is best suited for a clinically strong CVICU nursing leader who can balance operational management with hands-on critical care expertise, while driving team performance, quality outcomes, and physician collaboration in a complex cardiac specialty environment.
