Assistant Nurse Manager (RN) - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

University of Virginia; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 101,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Health Savings Plans

Job summary

University of Virginia Health System seeks an Assistant Nurse Manager for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Charlottesville. You will partner with nursing leadership to guide clinical excellence, staff development, and operational effectiveness in a high-acuity NICU environment.

In this role you mentor nurses, lead multidisciplinary teams, support recruitment and onboarding, and drive patient-family centered care while advancing neonatal nursing practice in a Magnet-designated academic center.

Qualifications

• Graduate of accredited nursing program with BSN within 5 years of hire.
• Two years of RN experience minimum in neonatal or critical care.
• Virginia RN license and AHA BLS certification required.

Responsibilities

• Support daily NICU operations, patient flow, staffing and resources.
• Coach, mentor, and develop nursing staff to promote excellence.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams for evidence-based neonatal care.
• Lead quality improvement, patient safety and regulatory readiness.
• Serve as a visible bedside leader and resource for staff and families.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Mentorship

Team collaboration

Staff development

Nurse supervision

Education

BSN within 5 years

Job description

Exceptional neonatal care requires strong clinical leadership, teamwork, and a relentless commitment to supporting the most vulnerable patients and their families. This opportunity offers an experienced neonatal nurse leader the chance to help guide a highly specialized NICU team within one of Virginia's premier academic health systems.

As the Assistant Nurse Manager for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, you will partner with nursing leadership to support clinical excellence, staff development, operational effectiveness, and outstanding patient outcomes. This role combines hands‑on leadership with meaningful opportunities to mentor nurses, strengthen team performance, and contribute to the future of neonatal care in a nationally recognized academic environment.

The Role

The Assistant Nurse Manager serves as a key leader within a fast-paced, highly specialized NICU caring for critically ill and medically complex newborns. Working closely with the Nurse Manager, physicians, advanced practice providers, respiratory therapists, and interdisciplinary care teams, you will help ensure exceptional patient care while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.

In an average day, you will balance clinical leadership, operational oversight, staff support, and patient‑family centered care, helping the team maintain the highest standards of safety and quality.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting daily unit operations, patient flow, staffing, and resource management
• Coaching, mentoring, and developing nursing staff to promote clinical excellence and professional growth
• Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated, evidence‑based care for critically ill newborns
• Assisting with quality improvement initiatives, patient safety efforts, and regulatory readiness
• Serving as a visible leader and resource for bedside staff, patients, and families
• Promoting a culture of engagement, accountability, and continuous learning
• Supporting performance management, recruitment, onboarding, and retention activities
• Contributing to strategic initiatives that advance neonatal nursing practice and patient outcomes

This is an opportunity for a clinically strong RN leader to make a lasting impact on patients, families, and team members while helping shape the future of neonatal care.

Why UVA Health

UVA Health is one of the nation's leading academic health systems, where innovation, research, education, and exceptional patient care come together to transform lives. Nurses and nurse leaders work alongside nationally recognized physicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals dedicated to advancing the practice of medicine.

Within UVA Health Children’s, you will join a team that delivers highly specialized care for newborns requiring advanced neonatal services. The NICU plays a critical role in caring for premature and critically ill infants while supporting families through some of the most important moments of their lives.

Highlights of this opportunity include:

• Join the #1 Children's Hospital in Virginia
• Lead within a Magnet-designated nursing environment committed to nursing excellence
• Work in an academic medical center recognized for innovation, education, and research
• Collaborate with expert neonatal physicians, advanced practice providers, and multidisciplinary specialists
• Support a team caring for medically complex neonatal populations requiring advanced, evidence-based treatment
• Access robust professional development, leadership growth, and career advancement opportunities
• Participate in a culture of shared governance, quality improvement, and clinical excellence
• Help develop the next generation of nurses within a nationally respected healthcare system

Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.

At UVA Health, nurse leaders are empowered to influence practice, improve outcomes, and drive meaningful change across the organization while remaining connected to the mission of delivering extraordinary care.

Why People Love Living in Charlottesville

Charlottesville offers the ideal balance of professional opportunity and exceptional quality of life. Nestled against the Blue Ridge Mountains, the region is known for its stunning outdoor recreation, vibrant arts and cultural scene, award-winning wineries, and outstanding food experiences. Residents enjoy easy access to hiking, cycling, and weekend mountain adventures while benefiting from a welcoming community, excellent schools, and the resources of a world‑class university. For healthcare professionals and families alike, Charlottesville provides a unique blend of career growth, natural beauty, and everyday livability that is difficult to find elsewhere.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: Graduate of accredited nursing program, Bachelor of Science in Nursing required within 5 years of hire.

Experience: At least two years’ experience as a registered nurse

Licensure: Licensed to Practice as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia required. American Heart Association (AHA) Health Care Provider BLS certification required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Job requires standing for prolonged periods, frequently bending/stooping/traveling, climbing (ladder, steps) and driving. Proficient communicative, auditory and visual skills; Attention to detail and ability to write legibly; Ability to lift/push/pull > 100lbs. May be exposed to fumes, chemicals, vibrations, humidity, cold, heat, noise, outdoor climate, blood/body fluids and infectious disease.

The pay range for this role is $100,630.40 - $133,120.00 annually. Individual compensation will be determined by the selected candidate's qualifications, previous work experience, and/or education.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off, Long-term and Short-term Disability, Retirement Savings
• Health Saving Plans, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Certification and education support
• Generous Paid Time Off

UVA Health (https://jobs.virginia.edu/why-uva-health) is a world‑class Magnet Recognized academic medical center and health system with a level 1 trauma center. 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report "Best Hospitals" guide (https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/va/university-of-virginia-medical-center-6344000) rates UVA Health University Medical Center as "High Performing" in 5 adult specialties and 14 conditions/procedures. We are one of 70 National Cancer Institute designated cancer centers. UVA Health Children’s (https://jobs.virginia.edu/uva-childrens) is named by 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report (https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/va/university-of-virginia-childrens-hospital-PA6344000) as the best children’s hospital in Virginia with 9 specialties ranked among the best in the nation. Our footprint also encompasses 3 community hospitals and an integrated network of primary and specialty care clinics throughout Charlottesville, Culpeper, Northern Virginia, and beyond.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment (https://eocr.virginia.edu/notice-non-discrimination-and-equal-opportunity).