Director of Nursing, Emergency Department

The Director of Nursing for the Emergency Department provides strategic leadership and direction for nursing services within the department. Reporting to the Associate Chief Nursing Officer Emergency Services, this role is responsible for overseeing clinical operations, staffing, compliance, performance improvement, and patient care standards. The Director ensures the delivery of high-quality, safe, and effective patient care in alignment with regulatory standards and organizational goals.

Reports To: Associate Chief Nursing Officer Emergency Services

Position: Nurse Director

Department: Emergency Department

Schedule: Full Time

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Collaborates with executive nursing leadership to define the philosophy, goals, and strategic direction of the nursing department.
• Provides visionary and clinical leadership to drive high-performance nursing teams and patient-centered care.
• Leads and supervises Nurse Managers.

Operational Oversight

• Develops and monitors staffing plans to ensure safe, effective, and efficient patient care delivery.
• Oversees recruitment, hiring, retention, and staff development initiatives.
• Ensures compliance with all regulatory, legal, and union requirements.

Performance & Quality Improvement

• Leads data-driven performance improvement projects aligned with hospital-wide initiatives.
• Ensures clinical excellence through the implementation of evidence-based practices and continuous quality improvement.
• Uses clinical and operational data to drive improvements in patient outcomes and departmental effectiveness.

Budget & Resource Management

• Participates in the development and management of the departmental budget and organizational structure.
• Monitors budget performance and makes adjustments to maintain fiscal responsibility.

Education & Staff Development

• Fosters a culture of learning and professional development through ongoing education and training.
• Coaches and mentors staff to achieve high standards of clinical and professional excellence.

Collaboration & Communication

• Maintains regular communication with hospital leadership, medical staff, and interdepartmental teams.
• Represents the department on hospital committees and task forces.
• Communicates the hospital’s mission, vision, and values clearly and consistently to staff.

Patient & Family-Centered Care

• Promotes service excellence and patient satisfaction initiatives, including HCAHPS goals.
• Establishes and monitors patient experience and service delivery metrics.

Required Skills & Competencies:

• Minimum 5 years of Emergency Department nursing experience, with progressive leadership responsibilities.
• Strong knowledge of state, federal, and regulatory standards (e.g., MA DPH, TJC, OSHA).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word).
• Expertise in quality improvement methods, clinical guidelines, and TQM initiatives.
• Skilled in budget development, staffing models, and resource allocation.
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Demonstrates professionalism, team collaboration, and cultural competence.
• Ability to work in a physically demanding, high-stress environment; flexibility with work hours; on-call responsibilities required.
• Multi-lingual skills (beyond that of English) in languages appropriate to patient populations served by the Medical Center is highly desirable.
• The role requires a strong commitment to clinical excellence, excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations. It is a position that demands a high level of organizational and interpersonal skills, as well as a strong commitment to patient care and the well-being of the healthcare team.

Education & Certification:

Required Education:

Master’s degree in Nursing or a related healthcare field

OR

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing with a minimum of 5 years of relevant administrative/supervisory experience or will receive a Master’s degree within 6 months of hire. 

Either the Master’s degree or baccalaureate degree must be in nursing.

Required Licenses & Certifications:

• Licensed to practice professional nursing as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in good standing required or the ability to obtain an MA RN license prior to starting employment.
• Professional Certification required within 2 years of hire.
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)

Preferred Certifications:

• Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
• Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN)
• Pediatric Care After Resuscitation (PCAR)
• Trauma Care After Resuscitation (TCAR)
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
• Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)

As both the largest trauma hospital and largest safety net hospital in New England, you get a chance to be a part of leading edge clinical care, in a truly mission driven organization. At Boston Medical Center (BMC), our nurses are changing the face of healthcare. At every level and on every unit, BMC nurses are advancing professional practice and delivering evidence-based care to our patients, families, and community. Join our Magnet® recognized organization as a Nuse Director and help us continue to carry out our mission of delivering exceptional and equitable care to all.

Compensation Range:

$153,000.00- $222,000.00

This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications. However, our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and a broad range of factors is considered when making an offer. This includes education, experience, skills, and certifications/licensures as they directly relate to position requirements; as well as business/organizational needs, internal equity, and market-competitiveness. In addition, BMCHS offers generous total compensation that includes, but is not limited to, benefits (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy), discretionary annual bonuses and merit increases, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) savings matches, paid time off, career advancement opportunities, and resources to support employee and family well-being. 

NOTE: This range is based on Boston-area data, and is subject to modification based on geographic location.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

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