Director of Acute Care Services

Description:

The Director of Acute Care Services is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational oversight, clinical excellence, and financial performance of the Emergency Department (ED) and Medical-Surgical Unit within a rural Critical Access Hospital (CAH). This role provides leadership to ensure safe, high-quality, patient-centered care while maintaining regulatory compliance, staff engagement, fiscal stewardship, and alignment with organizational goals. The Director of Acute Care Services oversees departmental staff, clinical operations, staffing strategies, quality improvement initiatives, patient throughput, and interdisciplinary collaboration within the Emergency Department and Medical-Surgical Unit. This position serves as a key member of the leadership team and supports the Chief Nursing Officer in advancing hospital-wide strategic initiatives.

Requirements:

Education Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Healthcare Administration, or related field strongly preferred Licensure Current unrestricted RN license in the State of Missouri Experience Minimum of 3-5 years of progressive nursing leadership experience required Previous director or senior manager experience preferred Previous experience in Emergency Department and/or Medical-Surgical nursing required Rural hospital and Critical Access Hospital experience preferred Certifications BLS required ACLS required PALS required or ability to obtain upon hire TNCC preferred Nurse Executive certification preferred (NE-BC or CNML)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Strong executive leadership and team management skills Excellent communication, coaching, and conflict resolution abilities Advanced knowledge of hospital operations and regulatory standards Experience with staffing models, workforce planning, and succession planning Strong financial, budget, and operational management skills Ability to lead complex quality improvement and strategic initiatives Proficient in EHR systems (preferably Epic) Strong critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities Ability to function effectively in a fast-paced rural healthcare environment