Director of Nursing – Surgical Services

Industry: Healthcare / Acute Care Hospital
Category: Nursing Leadership / Perioperative Services
Employment Type: Full-Time | Days

About the Opportunity

A respected acute care hospital in Central Arkansas is seeking an experienced Director of Nursing – Surgical Services to lead a broad perioperative platform within a fast-paced hospital environment.

This is an excellent opportunity for a senior nursing leader who brings strong perioperative operations experience, sound clinical judgment, and the ability to lead teams across multiple surgical services areas. The Director will serve as a key partner to executive nursing leadership and will help drive quality, efficiency, regulatory compliance, staff development, and day-to-day departmental performance.

Why This Region?

Central Arkansas offers an appealing mix of affordability, accessibility, and quality of life. The region provides a more relaxed pace than many larger metros while still offering strong community amenities, outdoor recreation, and an easy lifestyle for professionals seeking both career growth and balance.

Position Overview

The Director of Nursing – Surgical Services is responsible for the clinical, operational, and administrative leadership of surgical services. This leader will oversee areas including Main OR, Outpatient Surgery, PACU, Pre-Op, Post-Op, and Endoscopy, with accountability for departmental performance, staffing, budgeting, quality outcomes, and regulatory readiness.

The role requires a leader who can balance strategic oversight with hands-on operational execution while supporting a culture of accountability, professional growth, and patient-centered care. The department supports a meaningful surgical volume across inpatient and outpatient services and includes leadership responsibility for a sizable team.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and operational oversight for core perioperative and procedural services
• Monitor and improve key operational metrics such as case volume, turnover time, block utilization, and on-time starts
• Develop and implement departmental goals, plans, standards, and performance expectations
• Direct daily operations related to patient care delivery, service quality, workflow efficiency, and complaint resolution
• Oversee staffing, hiring, onboarding, performance management, staff development, and continuing education
• Prepare, monitor, and manage departmental budgets and resource allocation
• Coordinate internal and external audit activity and support ongoing regulatory compliance
• Foster a professional environment that supports collaboration, accountability, and evidence-based practice
• Partner with nursing and hospital leadership to strengthen quality, patient safety, and operational excellence

Required Qualifications

• Current RN license required
• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing required
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a Director-level role
• Strong background in perioperative nursing leadership, with experience in areas such as PACU, Pre-Op, Post-Op, Endoscopy/GI, and Surgery
• Demonstrated leadership ability in staff oversight, scheduling, quality standards, and departmental operations
• Working knowledge of healthcare regulatory and compliance standards

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree strongly preferred, such as MSN, MBA, or Master’s in Healthcare Administration
• Experience managing 60+ FTEs preferred
• BLS required
• ACLS and PALS preferred
• Prior surgical services director-level experience strongly preferred

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a strong perioperative nursing leader who is organized, operationally sharp, and comfortable overseeing multiple service lines. This individual should bring a blend of clinical credibility, leadership presence, and business acumen, with the ability to support staff, improve performance, and maintain a high standard of care across the department.

Schedule

• Full-Time
• Day Shift leadership schedule

Benefits

This opportunity offers a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement benefits, paid time off, wellness resources, and professional development support.