Patient Care Director ICU

The Patient Care Director – ICU is responsible for 24-hour accountability for the operational management of designated unit(s). This role includes oversight of clinical and administrative functions to ensure high-quality patient care, staff engagement, and alignment with organizational goals.

Implicit in this responsibility is the leadership, supervision, direction, and support of nursing staff to effectively meet the needs of patients, the unit, and the broader organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Drives improvements in service quality and operational productivity within the Critical Care service.
• Identifies actual or potential issues, collaborates with staff to develop solutions, and continuously evaluates and revises action plans.
• Encourages and promotes participation in shared governance teams to support staff engagement and decision-making.
• Communicates and interprets organizational philosophy, goals, policies, procedures, and patient satisfaction data to staff.
• Collaborates with critical care leadership and interdisciplinary teams to prevent delays in treatment, admissions, and discharges, and to optimize patient flow.
• Promotes, develops, and supports a customer-focused environment with a strong emphasis on service excellence and positive public relations.
• Serves as a resource to the Critical Care service, the organization, and the community.
• Fosters strong working relationships with administrators, physicians, and other departments to support coordinated care delivery.
• Ensures accurate and appropriate charging practices for supplies and services utilized within the unit.
• Monitors patient satisfaction data and communicates insights and trends to staff.
• Leads clinical nursing rounds to enhance patient experience and improve satisfaction outcomes.
• Reviews and updates the unit’s Performance Improvement Plan on an annual basis.
• Assumes accountability for unit-based performance and quality initiatives.
• Promotes organizational and unit-level Performance Improvement programs among staff.
• Evaluates performance data with staff and develops corrective action plans to improve patient care outcomes.
• Collaborates with Performance Improvement leadership to address identified quality-of-care concerns and implement timely interventions.

Qualifications

Education

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required; Master’s degree preferred
• CCRN certification required

Experience

• Three to five years of critical care experience, including leadership or management responsibilities

Licensure & Certifications

• Current license to practice professional nursing in the State of New Jersey
• Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certifications required
• CCRN certification required
• Strong knowledge of critical care regulations and standards

Working Conditions & Hazards

• Exposure to communicable diseases, blood and blood products, and various illnesses
• Interaction with confused and/or combative patients
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals, radiation (including X-rays and fluoroscopy), and electrical equipment
• Use of sharp instruments and needles
• Frequent exposure to high-stress clinical situations

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged standing and walking
• Ability to lift and move equipment and supplies
• Occasional stooping, reaching overhead, and carrying light to moderate loads