Director Emergency Services

UF Health; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

UF Health in Gainesville seeks a Director of Emergency Services to provide executive leadership across the Adult ED, Trauma Center, Pediatric ED, and freestanding UF Health EDs. The role aligns department systems with organizational goals, delivers high‑quality patient care, and drives operational efficiency.

The position requires strategic vision, strong fiscal management, and the ability to foster collaboration across multidisciplinary teams to advance autonomous nursing practice.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse license in the State of Florida.
• Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN) required or enrolled in MSN program.
• National nursing certification required within 6 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Direct planning, evaluation, and improvements of nursing care delivery across all EDs.
• Operational & 24/7 Accountability: Ensure quality, safety, and efficiency around the clock.
• Fiscal Management: Oversee budgeting and resource allocation for fiscal health.
• Teamwork & Collaboration: Build relationships across Emergency Department staff and hospital departments.
• Vision & Change Management: Lead initiatives for patient advocacy and autonomous nursing practice.
• Project Management: Oversee multiple strategic projects and operational initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Strategy

Financial acumen

Communication

Clinical & operational expertise

Education

RN license (FL)

MSN degree

Certification (within 6 months)

Job description

Overview

The Director of Emergency Services provides administrative support, strategic direction, and leadership in the development of professional nursing practice across multiple facilities, including the Adult ED and Trauma Center, Pediatric ED, and UF Health freestanding EDs.

In this role, you will be accountable on a 24-hour basis for aligning department systems with organizational goals—delivering high-quality patient care, enhancing customer service, managing fiscal resources, and driving operational efficiency. You will foster a collaborative team culture across departments to achieve the organization's mission of patient care excellence and nursing's vision of setting new standards in autonomous, accountable, and innovative nursing practice.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Direct the strategic planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of nursing care delivery systems across all emergency departments.




• Operational & 24/7 Accountability: Maintain round-the-clock administrative accountability for patient care quality, safety standards, and departmental work efficiencies.




• Fiscal Management: Manage financial resources, budgeting processes, and resource allocation to ensure sound fiscal health and operational productivity.




• Teamwork & Collaboration: Build and maintain collaborative relationships among Emergency Department staff and across multidisciplinary hospital departments.




• Vision & Change Management: Lead initiatives that foster a climate of trust, patient advocacy, autonomous nursing practice, and effective organizational change.




• Project Management: Self-direct and oversee multiple strategic projects and operational initiatives simultaneously.

Qualifications

Education & Credentials

• Licensure: Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Florida.




• Education: Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN) required. (Consideration given to candidates currently enrolled in a formal MSN program).




• Certification: National nursing certification required within 6 months of hire.

Experience

• Clinical Experience: Minimum of 5 years of professional nursing practice experience in an emergency department setting with demonstrated clinical and leadership skills.




• Management Experience: Minimum of 3 years of progressive management experience in emergency care, including oversight of multiple sites/locations.

Key Knowledge & Skills

• Clinical & Operational Expertise: Deep knowledge of professional nursing practice environments, nursing care delivery models, quality/safety improvement processes, and healthcare delivery systems.




• Leadership & Strategy: Proven ability to create a strategic vision, effect positive change, manage transitions, and make sound decisions.




• Management & Financial Acumen: Strong proficiency in budgetary processes, analytical problem-solving, project management, and organizational administration.




• Communication: Exceptional interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills to lead teams and build interdepartmental relationships.