Director, Ambulatory Surgery - Launch & Operations Leader

Duke Health; Cary (NC); On-site; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke Health in Cary, NC, seeks the inaugural Director, Clinical Services – Outpatient Surgery to launch and lead a six-OR ambulatory center opening in 2027. Reporting to the System AVP of Perioperative Nursing, this role offers high visibility across the health system.

The director will build an ASC operating model, recruit and develop a nursing team, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive quality, efficiency, and patient experience while partnering with physicians and leaders to expand

Qualifications

• Active RN license and BSN required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 5–7 years of progressive perioperative leadership in ambulatory surgery center.
• Experience opening or expanding an ASC and implementing Lean or performance-improvement initiatives.
• Expertise across Pre-Op, OR, PACU, Sterile Processing with ASC regulations and quality/safety standards.
• Professional certifications such as CNOR, CASC, NE-BC, NEA-BC, or CNAMB preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the opening and ongoing operations of a brand-new six-operating-room ASC, with occupancy December 2026 and first patients April 1, 2027.
• Serve as accountable leader for nursing, clinical operations, staffing, quality, regulatory compliance, patient experience, and finances.
• Build an ASC-focused operating model using Lean, standard work, and continuous improvement to optimize starts, turnover, utilization, staffing, throughput.
• Recruit and develop a high-performing nursing team and collaborate with physicians, Medical Director, and system leaders.
• Shape Duke Health’s outpatient surgery growth and adapt processes for the new center while elevating surgeon and patient experience.

Skills

RN license

BSN

Lean/Process improvement

Leadership

Ambulatory surgery experience

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Lean

Regulatory compliance

Job description

Duke Health in Cary, NC, seeks the inaugural Director, Clinical Services – Outpatient Surgery to launch and lead a six-OR ambulatory center opening in 2027. Reporting to the System AVP of Perioperative Nursing, this role offers high visibility across the health system.

The director will build an ASC operating model, recruit and develop a nursing team, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive quality, efficiency, and patient experience while partnering with physicians and leaders to expand