Director of Cardiac Care Medical Surgical

Location: Panama City, FL
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Schedule: Days
Base Salary Range: $105,000–$125,000/year (experience-based)
Sign-On Bonus: Not guaranteed
Relocation Assistance: Case-by-case

Overview

A 24-bed Cardiac Medical-Surgical unit serving the greater Panama City region is seeking an experienced Director of Cardiac Care – Med Surg to lead departmental operations, drive clinical quality, and support a high-performing nursing team.

This unit maintains an average daily census of 18 and requires a leader with strong operational, clinical, and strategic capabilities. The Director provides comprehensive oversight for staffing, performance management, education, resource utilization, compliance, throughput, and patient experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Cardiac Med Surg unit, aligning goals with organizational priorities.

• Lead performance improvement initiatives to ensure safe, high-quality, cost-effective patient care.

• Develop efficient patient flow systems to support continuity of care and timely throughput.

• Collaborate closely with physicians, APPs, and allied health teams to support excellence in cardiac care delivery.

• Evaluate equipment, technology, and service-line opportunities to enhance care.

• Coordinate multidisciplinary discussions for complex and high-risk cardiac patients.

• Support research activities as applicable, following IRB requirements.

• Develop and manage departmental budgets, staffing models, and long-term strategic plans.

• Recruit, hire, develop, and retain qualified nursing and support staff.

• Provide coaching, performance evaluations, and leadership development for supervisors and frontline staff.

• Ensure adherence to all regulatory, quality, and patient safety standards.

• Foster an engaging, collaborative culture grounded in communication and positive patient outcomes.

Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years of acute care RN leadership experience.

• Bachelor’s degree.

• Active RN or APRN license.

• BLS (or BLS Instructor) within 30 days of hire.

Preferred

• Experience managing Cardiac Med Surg or similar medical-surgical units.

• Strong communication, leadership, team-building, and organizational skills.

Unit & Operational Details

• Beds: 24

• Average Daily Census: 18

• FTEs Overseen: ~27

• Leadership Style Desired: Team-oriented, optimistic, excellent communicator

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary: $105,000–$125,000/year, depending on experience.

• Relocation assistance available.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.

• 401(k) with 100% match (3–9% based on years of service).

• Employee stock purchase plan (10% discount).

• Tuition reimbursement, certification assistance, and dependent scholarships.

• PTO, paid family leave, and disability benefits.

• Mental health and wellness programs, financial/legal counseling.

• Optional plans: accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, long-term care, pet insurance.

Ideal Candidates

This role is perfect for:

• Nurse leaders seeking to oversee a cardiac-focused medical-surgical unit.

• Directors who excel in staff engagement, operational improvement, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

• RN leaders looking for a long-term, strategic leadership opportunity within a growing regional healthcare system.