Director, Med/Surg Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center :  Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt’s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research. Organization: VCH Nursing Administration Job Summary: Vanderbilt Health - Executive Search Team is conducting a search for Director, Med-Surg in our newly acquired Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital. This position reports directly to the Chief Nursing Officer of the hospital. The Director, Med-Surg provides strategic, operational, and clinical leadership for the Medical-Surgical nursing units. This role is responsible for ensuring high-quality patient care, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, workforce engagement, and financial stewardship across assigned departments. The Director partners with physicians, advanced practice providers, nursing leaders, and interdisciplinary teams to achieve exceptional patient outcomes and support Vanderbilt Health's mission, values, and strategic objectives. The Director serves as a key member of the hospital leadership team, driving a culture of clinical excellence, patient safety, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. . Key Responsibilities: Clinical and Operational Leadership Provide leadership and oversight for all Medical-Surgical inpatient units and related services. Ensure delivery of safe, effective, patient-centered care that meets evidence-based practice standards. Establish and monitor department goals, quality metrics, and performance indicators. Lead operational initiatives to improve patient flow, throughput, capacity management, and length-of-stay performance. Collaborate with physicians and interdisciplinary teams to optimize care delivery and patient outcomes. Ensure compliance with organizational policies, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements. Quality, Patient Safety, and Outcomes Foster a culture of safety and high reliability throughout assigned departments. Monitor quality metrics including falls, pressure injuries, hospital-acquired infections, medication safety, and patient satisfaction. Lead quality improvement initiatives utilizing Lean, Six Sigma, or other performance improvement methodologies. Analyze trends and implement corrective action plans to improve outcomes and reduce variation in care. Ensure readiness for regulatory and accreditation surveys. Financial and Resource Management Develop, manage, and oversee departmental operating and capital budgets. Monitor labor productivity, staffing effectiveness, and supply utilization. Identify opportunities for cost containment while maintaining high-quality patient care. Ensure fiscal accountability and achievement of departmental financial goals. Participate in strategic planning and business development initiatives. Talent Management and Workforce Development Recruit, retain, develop, and mentor nursing leaders and staff. Provide leadership coaching and succession planning for managers and emerging leaders. Promote employee engagement and a culture of accountability, teamwork, and professional growth. Ensure appropriate staffing plans and workforce strategies to meet patient care demands. Support nursing professional development, certification, and evidence-based practice initiatives. Strategic Planning and Growth Support organizational growth strategies and service line development. Evaluate opportunities to expand services and improve operational performance. Develop and implement strategic initiatives aligned with hospital and health system objectives. Participate in leadership councils, committees, and executive forums. Collaboration and Relationship Management Build strong partnerships with physicians, nursing leadership, ancillary departments, and executive leadership. Lead interdisciplinary initiatives to improve patient experience and care coordination. Serve as a clinical and operational resource for hospital leadership. Promote effective communication and collaboration across departments. Regulatory and Compliance Oversight Ensure compliance with requirements from The Joint Commission, CMS, Tennessee Department of Health, and other regulatory agencies. Maintain adherence to patient safety, infection prevention, and quality standards. Oversee policy development, implementation, and ongoing compliance monitoring. Qualifications: Nursing degree required. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Master's degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or related field.   5+ years of acute clinical RN experience and a minimum of 2 years of clinical management experience Demonstrated experience leading Medical-Surgical nursing operations. Preferred Qualifications: Specialty certification such as NEA-BC, NE-BC, CNML, or equivalent. Experience within a large integrated health system or academic medical center. #LI-AM1   Our Nursing Philosophy:    We believe highly skilled and specialized nursing care is essential to Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s mission of quality in patient care, education and research. We believe nursing is an applied art and science focused on helping people, families and communities reach excellent health and well-being.  As a Vanderbilt University Medical Center employee, you make a difference to