Director of CVICU

The Healthcare Initiative; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

The Healthcare Initiative in Phoenix, AZ seeks a Director of the CVICU to lead a true cardiovascular ICU with expert staff, advanced therapies, and a focus on clinical excellence and engagement. You will shape operations, staffing, and quality across shifts, ensuring high levels of patient and staff satisfaction.

BSN is required, MSN preferred; 5+ years CVICU nursing and 2+ years leadership are expected, with ECMO/open heart/Impella experience strongly preferred for this pivotal role.

Qualifications

• BSN required; MSN preferred.
• 5+ years of cardiac/CVICU nursing experience.
• 2+ years of formal leadership experience.
• ECMO/open heart/Impella/balloon pump exposure required.
• LVAD experience highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day CVICU operations and staffing.
• Manage scheduling, timekeeping, and productivity metrics.
• Ensure quality outcomes and perform chart audits.
• Drive staff development, retention, and recruitment efforts.
• Collaborate with CT surgery, interventional cardiology, intensivists, and service-line partners.
• Uphold patient satisfaction and staff engagement; lead across shifts.

Skills

CVICU leadership

Critical care nursing

Staffing management

Staff development

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

BSN

MSN preferred

RN license active

Job description

THE HEALTHCARE INITIATIVE

Where Talent Meets Opportunity

Director of CVICU

Southwest Region

The hospital has a true heart and vascular identity, not just a cardiac unit within a general ICU environment.

This is a specialty cardiovascular hospital connected to a larger acute-care system, with advanced cardiac and vascular services that include CT surgery, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, cardiac imaging, cath lab services, and a dedicated cardiovascular operating environment.

The program has received national quality recognition and continues to expand cardiovascular access across the market, which makes this a strong opportunity for a CVICU leader who wants to be part of a cardiac program with real depth, visibility, and momentum.

The CVICU is a 15+ bed cardiac-only unit. No mixed medical ICU population. No watered-down acuity. This is a true cardiovascular environment with open hearts, ECMO, LVAD, Impella, balloon pumps, and vascular/cardiac patients.

The unit is already performing well. HCAHPS is near the 95th percentile, and leadership describes the 50+ nurse team as one of the most engaged and self-motivated groups they have worked with in 20 years.

This is a chance to lead a strong team that needs visible leadership, structure, consistency, continued development, and someone who understands the balance between clinical excellence, staffing realities, census swings, productivity, quality, and staff engagement.

This leader will have full responsibility for the CVICU, including:

• Day-to-day operations
• Staffing and scheduling
• Timekeeping and productivity
• Quality outcomes and chart audits
• Staff development, retention, and recruitment
• Collaboration with CT surgery, interventional cardiology, intensivists, and procedural service-line partners
• Patient satisfaction and employee engagement
• Leadership presence across shifts, including occasional early/late rounding to stay connected with staff

What makes this opportunity different

This is the kind of role that will appeal to a CVICU leader who still gets energized by the clinical side of nursing leadership —

someone who understands that cardiac nurses are wired differently, that census swings can impact morale quickly, and that

high-performing teams still need a leader who can protect the culture while tightening the operation.

The location

This Southwest market offers sunshine, mountain views, outdoor access, and a lower-stress lifestyle than many larger metro areas.

You’ll find:

• 350+ days of sunshine annually
• Hiking, biking, and expansive outdoor spaces
• World-class golf
• A strong university presence
• Museums, cultural attractions, festivals, and special events
• Family-friendly amenities, including parks, youth activities, and a zoo
• A more manageable cost of living than many coastal markets

For the right cardiac nurse leader, this is a chance to step into a clinically respected CVICU, lead a team that is already proud of the work,

and help shape the next phase of a strong cardiovascular program.

Requirements

• BSN required
• MSN preferred
• Candidates actively enrolled in a BSN program with a defined completion date may be considered
• Strong CVICU clinical background required
• 5+ years of cardiac/CVICU nursing experience required
• 2+ years of formal leadership experience required
• Experience with ECMO, open heart, Impella, and balloon pumps required
• LVAD experience highly preferred
• Pure medical ICU background will not align unless there is meaningful cardiac exposure