Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required; Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) preferred.
Current New Jersey Registered Nurse (RN) license required.
Minimum of four years of Operating Room experience required.
At least two years of leadership experience required.
Current BLS, ACLS, and CNOR certifications required.
Strong knowledge of AORN, AAMI, Joint Commission, and regulatory standards essential.
Proven skills in operational management, strategic planning, and staff development.
Responsibilities
Provide clinical and operational leadership for the Operating Room with 24-hour accountability.
Supervise Charge Nurses and nursing staff, fostering a collaborative environment.
Partner with physicians and hospital leadership to optimize surgical services.
Lead recruitment, retention, and professional development initiatives for nursing staff.
Collaborate with Nursing Education and HR to ensure staff competency and training.
Develop and manage staffing plans and schedules based on operational demands.
Establish nursing practice standards in line with regulatory requirements.
Benefits
Support for professional development and continuing education.
Collaborative work environment with multidisciplinary teams.
Opportunity to lead and influence patient care quality.
Engagement in performance improvement initiatives.
Flexibility to address departmental needs beyond standard hours.
Full Job Description
Job Title: Director Patient Care
Location: WILLIAMSON STREET
Department Name: Operating Room
Status: Salaried
Shift: Day
Pay Range: $151,600.00 - $190,000.00 per year
Pay Transparency:
The above reflects the anticipated annual salary range for this position if hired to work in New Jersey.
The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills and professional experience.
As the Director of Patient Care, a typical day may include:
Providing clinical and operational leadership for the Operating Room, maintaining 24-hour accountability for patient care quality, departmental performance, and nursing operations
Supervising Charge Nurses and frontline nursing staff while promoting a positive, collaborative, and high-performing perioperative environment
Partnering with Department Chairs, Division Chiefs, physicians, and hospital leadership to optimize surgical services, nursing coverage, and patient care delivery
Leading recruitment, retention, onboarding, mentoring, and professional development initiatives to maintain a qualified and engaged nursing team
Collaborating with Nursing Education and Human Resources to ensure staff competency, mandatory training, continuing education, and successful orientation
Developing and managing staffing plans, schedules, and nursing assignments based on patient acuity, surgical volume, operational demands, and budgetary guidelines
Establishing and maintaining nursing practice standards consistent with AORN, AAMI, Joint Commission, and applicable regulatory requirements
Leading performance improvement initiatives, monitoring quality indicators, investigating patient safety events, and implementing corrective actions to strengthen clinical outcomes
Promoting Shared Governance, staff engagement, and High Reliability principles while encouraging team participation in clinical decision-making and process improvement
Overseeing departmental budgets, financial performance, supply utilization, inventory management, and cost-containment strategies without compromising patient care
Analyzing operational data, staffing productivity, patient outcomes, and employee and physician satisfaction to identify opportunities for improvement
Supporting departmental strategic planning, interdisciplinary collaboration, issue resolution, and the continuous advancement of safe, efficient surgical services
This role might be for you if:
Leading perioperative nursing operations and advancing excellence in surgical patient care aligns with your professional expertise and leadership goals
A strong Operating Room background provides the clinical foundation needed to guide nursing practice, evaluate patient care needs, and support complex surgical services
Developing, mentoring, and empowering nursing professionals is a meaningful part of your leadership philosophy
Strategic planning and operational oversight are areas of strength, particularly when balancing clinical priorities, staffing needs, and organizational objectives
Building collaborative relationships with surgeons, physicians, nursing leaders, and multidisciplinary healthcare professionals comes naturally
Strong clinical judgment and critical thinking skills support your ability to make timely decisions in a dynamic perioperative environment
Experience managing staffing models, scheduling, productivity, and departmental resources allows you to support efficient and sustainable operations
An analytical mindset guides your approach to evaluating quality indicators, financial performance, patient outcomes, and opportunities for improvement
Promoting a culture of patient safety, accountability, Shared Governance, and High Reliability is central to your leadership approach
Financial stewardship, budget management, and responsible resource allocation are important components of your operational leadership experience
Effective communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills help you navigate complex situations while maintaining positive professional relationships
A commitment to evidence-based practice, continuous improvement, and compassionate, patient-centered care drives your approach to nursing leadership
To be considered for this Director of Patient Care opportunity, you must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and possess a current New Jersey Registered Nurse (RN) license. A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is preferred. Candidates must have a minimum of four years of Operating Room experience and at least two years of experience in a leadership role. Current Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) certifications are required. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong perioperative clinical expertise, nursing leadership, operational management, strategic planning, and staff development skills. Knowledge of AORN, AAMI, Joint Commission, and applicable regulatory standards is essential, along with the ability to promote evidence-based nursing practice, patient safety, and High Reliability principles. Candidates should possess experience overseeing staffing, scheduling, departmental budgets, financial performance, inventory management, quality improvement, and performance metrics. Excellent communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, organizational, and interpersonal skills are necessary, along with the ability to collaborate effectively with physicians, hospital leadership, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams. A commitment to mentoring nursing professionals, promoting Shared Governance, and delivering safe, high-quality, patient-centered care is expected. Flexibility to support departmental clinical and operational needs is important, including maintaining accountability for nursing services beyond standard business hours. This is a salaried, day shift leadership opportunity supporting the Operating Room at Trinitas Regional Medical Center, part of RWJBarnabas Health, with 24-hour accountability for departmental operations and patient care quality.
About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is the largest integrated healthcare delivery system in New Jersey, with hospitals, ambulatory care centers, and clinics throughout the state. The system includes eleven acute care hospitals, three children's hospitals, a pediatric rehabilitation hospital, a behavioral health center, and numerous other clinical facilities. RWJBarnabas Health is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care to patients and their families, and to advancing medical research and education.
