Director of Acute Care Services

The Director of Acute Care Services is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational oversight, clinical excellence, and financial performance of the Emergency Department (ED) and Medical-Surgical Unit within a rural Critical Access Hospital (CAH). This role provides leadership to ensure safe, high-quality, patient-centered care while maintaining regulatory compliance, staff engagement, fiscal stewardship, and alignment with organizational goals.

The Director of Acute Care Services oversees departmental staff, clinical operations, staffing strategies, quality improvement initiatives, patient throughput, and interdisciplinary collaboration within the Emergency Department and Medical-Surgical Unit. This position serves as a key member of the leadership team and supports the Chief Nursing Officer in advancing hospital-wide strategic initiatives.

Education

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Healthcare Administration, or related field strongly preferred

Licensure

Current unrestricted RN license in the State of Missouri

Experience

Minimum of 3–5 years of progressive nursing leadership experience required

Previous director or senior manager experience preferred

Previous experience in Emergency Department and/or Medical-Surgical nursing required

Rural hospital and Critical Access Hospital experience preferred

Certifications

BLS required

ACLS required

PALS required or ability to obtain upon hire

TNCC preferred

Nurse Executive certification preferred (NE-BC or CNML)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Strong executive leadership and team management skills

Excellent communication, coaching, and conflict resolution abilities

Advanced knowledge of hospital operations and regulatory standards

Experience with staffing models, workforce planning, and succession planning

Strong financial, budget, and operational management skills

Ability to lead complex quality improvement and strategic initiatives

Proficient in EHR systems (preferably Epic)

Strong critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities

Ability to function effectively in a fast-paced rural healthcare environment