Director of Inpatient Services (Med/Surg, ICU, and Case Management)

Director of Inpatient Services

Operational Leadership

Provide leadership and operational oversight for the Medical-Surgical unit, Intensive Care Unit, and Case Management department. Ensure safe, effective, and efficient delivery of inpatient care services. Develop and implement departmental goals that align with hospital strategic priorities. Monitor daily patient census, staffing levels, and patient flow to ensure optimal resource utilization. Collaborate with physician leadership to support efficient care delivery and clinical excellence.

Clinical Quality and Patient Safety

Ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards including CMS, state regulations, and The Joint Commission. Monitor quality metrics including infection prevention, patient outcomes, readmission rates, and patient satisfaction. Lead performance improvement initiatives focused on clinical quality, safety, and patient experience. Promote evidence-based practice and adherence to clinical standards across inpatient units.

Workforce Leadership and Staffing

Provide leadership, mentorship, and supervision to nurse managers, supervisors, and case management leaders. Ensure appropriate staffing models and staffing plans to support patient acuity and census fluctuations. Support recruitment, retention, and professional development of nursing and case management staff. Conduct performance evaluations and leadership development planning for direct reports. Promote a positive work environment that supports staff engagement and teamwork.

Care Coordination & Case Management

Oversee case management operations including discharge planning, utilization review, and care coordination. Collaborate with physicians, social services, and post-acute providers to ensure appropriate care transitions. Monitor length of stay, avoidable days, and readmission trends. Support case management initiatives that improve patient outcomes and reduce unnecessary utilization.

Patient Throughput & Capacity Management

Partner with hospital leadership to optimize patient flow and bed utilization. Support initiatives that reduce length of stay and improve discharge efficiency. Collaborate with emergency department leadership and procedural areas to improve admission and transfer processes. Monitor hospital throughput metrics and implement improvement strategies.

Financial and Operational Performance

Manage departmental budgets, productivity, and operational performance. Monitor labor utilization, staffing productivity, and operational expenses. Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency while maintaining high standards of care. Participate in strategic planning and growth initiatives related to inpatient services.

Clinical Technology & Informatics

Support effective utilization of the electronic health record, including Epic, to improve clinical documentation, communication, and patient care coordination. Ensure staff competency in documentation and use of clinical information systems. Partner with clinical informatics teams to optimize workflows and reporting.

Leadership Responsibilities

Direct supervision of: Nursing staff (Med-Surg and ICU), Case Management leadership, Clinical supervisors, charge nurses or coordinators as assigned. Foster interdisciplinary collaboration across departments. Serve as a key member of the nursing leadership team. Participate in hospital committees, leadership councils, and quality initiatives.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required. Master's degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or related field preferred.

Licensure

Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of practice.

Experience

Minimum 57 years of progressive leadership experience in hospital inpatient services. Experience managing Med-Surg, ICU, or critical care services preferred. Experience overseeing case management, care coordination, or utilization review strongly preferred. Demonstrated experience in quality improvement, staff development, and hospital operations.

Key Competencies

Inpatient clinical operations management, Critical care and acute care leadership, Patient flow and throughput management, Case management and care coordination, Regulatory compliance and accreditation readiness, Workforce development and leadership, Budget and operational management, Quality improvement and patient safety.

Working Environment

Hospital inpatient clinical setting. Requires collaboration with physicians, nursing staff, ancillary services, and executive leadership. May require participation in leadership call rotations and hospital operations oversight.