$130,000–$150,000 Per Year
Acute Care, Audit Metrics, Basic Life Support (BLS), Budgeting, Capital Budgeting, Cardiology, Cardiothoracic (CT) Surgery, Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU), Clinical Medicine, Clinical Nursing, Director of Nursing (DON), Employee Retention, Financial Administration, Healthcare, Healthcare Quality, Hospital, Leadership, Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Management, Operational Strategy, Policy Implementation, Pumps, Quality Management, Quality Metrics, Registered Nurse (RN), Regulatory Compliance, Reporting Skills, Schedule Development, Short Messaging Service (SMS), Staff Development, Staff Training, Team Player
Ambition 24 Hours | Permanent Placement
Director of Nursing CVICU
Our Client | Albuquerque, NM | Full-Time Permanent | Director
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Employment
Full-Time Permanent
Level
Director
Salary Range
$130,000 $150,000 per annum
Travel
None
Relocation
Possible for ideal candidate
Visa Support
Not available
THE ROLE
Our client, an acute care hospital in Albuquerque, NM, is seeking a full-time permanent Director of Nursing for its 16-bed Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU). The unit operates within a 55-bed heart hospital and is staffed by an all-RN team of approximately 50 60 employees, supported by four full-time charge nurses across rotating shifts. The Director holds full 24-hour operational accountability for the CVICU including clinical quality, staffing, scheduling, budgeting, and staff development and reports directly to senior hospital leadership. This is a direct-hire, permanent opportunity for a clinically strong cardiac nursing leader with formal management experience.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide 24-hour operational oversight of the CVICU including clinical, financial, and administrative activities
- Lead nurse development, retention, and recruitment for a team of approximately 50 60 RNs
- Coordinate with CT surgeons, interventionalists, and procedural service lines to ensure quality care delivery
- Oversee quality metrics including chart audits, staff education, HCAHPS outcomes, and regulatory compliance
- Manage staffing, scheduling, and timekeeping in the absence of a nurse manager layer
- Develop and submit capital and operational budget strategies for the unit
- Implement policies, standards, and programmes that support unit goals and organisational mission
- Plans and organises orientation and in-service training for staff members; participates in guidance and educational programmes
- Work with intensivists to optimise census management and patient throughput
- Foster physician engagement and establish collaborative relationships across service lines
REQUIREMENTS
Must-Have
- BSN from an accredited school of nursing required; candidates without BSN must be currently enrolled with a confirmed completion date
- Current RN licence New Mexico or compact licence eligibility
- Minimum 3 5 years of CVICU clinical nursing experience
- Minimum 2 years of formal leadership or management experience (charge nurse, nurse manager, or supervisor interim charge roles do not qualify)
- Proficiency in CVICU clinical skills: ECMO, LVAD, Open Heart, Impella, and Balloon Pumps
- Extensive cardiac background candidates from purely medical ICUs without cardiac exposure will not be considered
- BLS certification must be obtained within 14 days of hire or transfer into role
Preferred / Nice-to-Have
- Master's degree in nursing or related field (MSN preferred)
- Certification in a clinical specialty or nursing administration
- Experience with census management and shared-service unit models
CONFIDENTIALITY
This search is being conducted on a confidential basis. Qualified candidates should submit a letter of interest and current CV to All enquiries will be handled with strict discretion.
Apply now:
Permanent Placement | Confidential
JOB BOARD SNIPPET
Job Type: Full-Time | Executive | Healthcare Leadership CVICU | Albuquerque, NM
EMAIL / SMS VERSION
Subject: Director of Nursing CVICU | Albuquerque, NM | $130K $150K | Executive Permanent
Body: Our client, an acute care heart hospital in Albuquerque, NM, seeks a permanent Director of Nursing for its 16-bed CVICU. Full 24-hour operational responsibility for an all-RN team of ~50 60. Requires BSN (or enrolled), active RN licence, 3 5 years CVICU clinical experience, 2+ years formal management, and proficiency in ECMO, LVAD, Open Heart, Impella, and Balloon Pumps. Salary $130,000 $150,000. All enquiries handled with strict discretion. Apply:
SMS: DON CVICU | Albuquerque NM | $130K-$150K | Perm | BSN+RN+CVICU mgmt req. Confidential. Apply: