Director of Emergency Services

Director, Emergency Services

The Director, Emergency Services, reporting to the Chief Nursing Officer, works collaboratively with nursing and physician leadership to coordinate, implement, and monitor clinical operations and patient care delivery within the Emergency Department.

This leader ensures appropriate resources are available to meet patient care needs and is accountable for achieving high-quality patient outcomes through the identification, analysis, and improvement of clinical and operational processes. Key areas of focus include:

• Capacity management and patient throughput
• Reduction of emergency department boarding hours
• Improvement of the patient experience

The scope of responsibility includes the Emergency Department and all emergency services programs within a medium to large hospital, typically serving more than 20,000 patient visits annually.

Responsibilities

1. Healthy Workforce & Professional Practice

Healthy Workforce

• Develop and maintain productive working relationships both internally and externally.
• Build high-performing teams through mentoring and positive communication.
• Foster trust by recognizing contributions, promoting transparency, and setting clear expectations.
• Create an inclusive environment that values diversity and encourages collaboration.
• Identify and implement best practices to improve efficiency and eliminate duplication.

Professional Practice

• Promote a patient-centered culture within the framework of Relationship Based Care.
• Participate in professional organizations to support personal and organizational growth.
• Drive continuous improvement in patient, caregiver, and physician satisfaction.
• Ensure staff practice within their defined scope and job responsibilities.
• Develop and evaluate clinical systems and processes that support comprehensive patient and family care across the continuum.
• Assist with annual budget development and oversee labor, operating, and capital budgets based on organizational and patient care needs.

2. Quality, Innovation & Structural Empowerment

Quality & Innovation

• Collaborate with clinical and administrative leaders to improve quality, safety, and cost of care.
• Analyze clinical variance trends and implement initiatives that support operational goals.
• Support evidence-based practice and quality improvement efforts.
• Lead risk assessment and risk reduction strategies within assigned departments.

Structural Empowerment

• Maintain professional, legal, ethical, and regulatory standards of practice.
• Support departmental and individual professional development.
• Coach and mentor direct reports and professional staff.
• Share successful improvement initiatives across departments and campuses.
• Promote shared governance and encourage staff participation in decision-making.
• Support the ongoing development of Professional Practice Councils.
• Foster peer-to-peer accountability.

3. Transformational Leadership

• Create and communicate a shared vision for Emergency Services.
• Utilize financial, quality, operational, and clinical data to guide strategic and operational planning.
• Conduct SWOT analyses (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) for assigned areas.
• Partner with the Vice President of Patient Care Services/Chief Nursing Officer in developing strategic plans for patient care and nursing services.
• Address complex, high-risk challenges and transform them into opportunities for improvement.
• Adapt leadership approaches based on team and individual development needs.
• Promote collaboration across multidisciplinary teams to drive change.
• Lead program development initiatives that support and advance UPMC's Emergency Services strategic priorities

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required at the time of hire or transfer.
• Master's degree in Nursing or a related healthcare field required, either:
• At the time of hire/transfer, or
• Enrollment in an approved program within 1 year of hire/transfer, with completion within 3 years of enrollment.
• Related fields may include: Public Health, Information Technology, Healthcare Administration, Other related disciplines
• Minimum of 5years of progressively responsible healthcare experience , including leadership and supervisory responsibilities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of:
• Clinical practice
• Human resource management
• Healthcare operations
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to:
• Evaluate staff performance
• Address clinical and operational challenges
• Develop solutions to complex problems
• Proven leadership abilities to:
• Develop and mentor staff
• Establish and maintain performance standards
• Support professional nursing practice within a national context
• Meet organizational and administrative requirements
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build effective relationships with:
• Patients and families
• Physicians
• Staff and leaders
• Hospital administration and senior leadership

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances

Required Licensure

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Current licensure in the state where the facility is located, or a valid multistate license through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) where applicable.

Employees working under an out-of-state NLC license who establish residency in the facility's state must apply for in-state licensure within 60 days of the residency change.

Required Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC)
• NIH Stroke Scale (NIH)

Required Within One Year of Hire or Transfer

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

Required Clearances

• Act 33 Clearance (with renewal)
• Act 34 Clearance (with renewal)
• Act 73 FBI Clearance (with renewal)

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.