Assistant Nurse Manager - Trauma PCU - 141671

University of California San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 137,000 - 268,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego Health is seeking an Assistant Nurse Manager - Trauma PCU to lead a high-acuity unit and ensure safe, efficient patient care. The role combines clinical leadership with administrative responsibilities, including staffing, budgeting, and policy compliance, to support optimal patient outcomes in a Magnet-designated environment.

The successful candidate will oversee nursing staff on trauma and IMU units, collaborate with physicians and care teams, mentor colleagues, and promote

Qualifications

• BSN from an accredited program
• Current CA RN license
• Active BLS/CPR and ACLS with ART within 6 months
• 5+ years in nursing, including 3+ years in inpatient acute care IMU/Trauma
• Charge nurse or nursing leadership experience
• Strong management, supervision, and HR skills
• Knowledge of clinical standards and regulations
• Strong analytical and communication skills
• Ability to prepare reports and manage budgets

Responsibilities

• Lead nursing unit to ensure optimal patient outcomes
• Supervise staff delivering clinical care
• Collaborate with health care professionals to coordinate care
• Administer and manage personnel, fiscal, and material resources
• Occasional full unit responsibility in manager's absence
• Promote a voice in nursing practice and continuous improvement

Skills

Nursing leadership

RN leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Disaster management

HR knowledge

Education

BSN

RN license CA

BLS/CPR & ACLS

Tools

Hospital software

Data management systems

Job description

• Payroll Title: NURSE SVC SUPV 2
• Department: 5 WEST TRAUMA PCU
• Hiring Pay Scale: $87.50 - $99.00 / Hour
• Worksite: Hillcrest
• Appointment Type: Career
• Appointment Percent: 100%
• Union: Uncovered
• Total Openings: 1
• Work Schedule: Variable, 12-Hour Shifts, Variable

#141671 Assistant Nurse Manager - Trauma PCU

Filing Deadline: Tue 10/20/2026

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 10/09/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

DESCRIPTION

UC San Diego Health is proud to be a four-time Magnet-designated organization and has now earned Magnet with Distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Magnet is the gold standard for nursing excellence, achieved by only about 10% of hospitals worldwide. Magnet with Distinction is awarded to the highest-performing Magnet organizations, with only a select few earning this prestigious honor. This recognition reflects our commitment to transformational leadership, professional nursing excellence, innovation, exceptional patient outcomes, and an empowering practice environment where nurses thrive.

The Assistant Nurse Manager helps ensure optimal patient outcomes through effective leadership and/or delivery of patient care in assigned nursing unit(s) or area(s). Promotes an environment for a shared voice in nursing practice and exchange of ideas to continually improve nursing and patient care outcomes. Accountable for the quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness of patient care. Consults and collaborates with other health care professionals to coordinate the management of patient care. Serves as a resource to staff, physicians, students, and others.

Supervises staff involved in providing clinical patient care. Assists in ensuring the quality of patient care delivery in a specific patient care area and serves as a role model for professional nursing practice. Assists with the administration and management of personnel, fiscal, and material resources. May assume full responsibility for the unit in delegated areas and in the absence of the manager.

While not required, a cover letter is highly recommended when applying to this position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN).

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license issued by the State of California.

• Current BLS/CPR and ACLS certifications at the time of hire, with a commitment to obtain ART certification within six (6) months of hire.

• Five (5) or more years of related experience, including a minimum of three (3) years of recent inpatient acute care IMU and/or Trauma RN experience.

• Charge nurse and/or other formal nursing leadership experience.

• Demonstrated hospital management skills, with progressive expertise in patient care services and the ability to effectively supervise clinicians and manage complex workflows and multiple priorities within a patient care unit.

• In-depth knowledge of patient care clinical standards, care delivery systems, external regulations, and internal policies.

• Knowledge of human resources management policies and the ability to train, monitor, evaluate, and document employee performance and related HR matters, including providing input to decision-makers.

• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to assess complex situations, determine appropriate interventions, develop effective solutions, and manage disaster incidents and sentinel events.

• Effective interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to collaborate with all levels of management and staff, consultants, and outside agencies; train and mentor staff; and clearly communicate complex clinical and technical information.

• Ability to prepare and present reports, documentation, analyses, and project proposals.

• Knowledge of business software, specialized applications, and data management systems used in nursing units or departments.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN) or a relevant graduate degree.

• Clinical specialty certification or nursing administration certification (e.g., PCCN or TCRN).

• Experience teaching, coaching, or precepting registered nurses.

• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and a pre-employment physical.
• This position will work both 8 and 12 hour variable shifts with both clinical and administrative duties (generally 60% clinical and 40% administrative).
• This is a variable-schedule position requiring 40 hours per week, with shifts that may include days, nights, and mid-shifts.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $136,600 - $267,600 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $65.42 - $128.16

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands‑on practice and in‑person skills assessment; online‑only certification is not acceptable.

UC San Diego Health is the only academic health system in the San Diego region, providing leading‑edge care in patient care, biomedical research, education, and community service. Our facilities include two university hospitals, a National Cancer Institute‑designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Shiley Eye Institute, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, the only Burn Center in the county, and dozens of outpatient clinics. We invite you to join our team!

Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

For the University of California’s Anti‑Discrimination Policy, please visit https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.

UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace