Director of Surgical Services

Northwestern Medical Center; St. Albans (VT); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwestern Medical Center is seeking a Director of Surgical Services to lead its perioperative team across OR, ambulatory surgery/PACU, Infusion Services, and Sterile Processing.

You will drive patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and physician engagement while ensuring regulatory readiness and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or related field
• Current Vermont RN license (if applicable)
• Minimum five years of progressive perioperative or surgical services leadership experience
• Minimum three years of management experience
• Demonstrated success in physician collaboration, regulatory compliance, budget management, and operational improvement
• Master's degree (MSN, MHA, MBA, or related field) preferred
• Director-level or multi-department leadership experience preferred
• Community hospital experience preferred
• Certifications such as CNOR, CSSM, NE-BC, NEA-BC, CPPS, or similar healthcare leadership credentials

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for all perioperative and surgical services operations.
• Drive quality, patient safety, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.
• Partner closely with surgeons, anesthesia providers, nursing leadership, and executive leadership.
• Lead workforce planning, recruitment, retention, succession planning, and leadership development.
• Oversee departmental budgets, productivity, resource utilization, and capital planning.
• Improve surgical access, patient flow, throughput, and patient experience through data-driven decision making.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives that enhance quality, efficiency, and fiscal performance.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Physician collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or related field

Master's degree (MSN, MHA, MBA, or related field)

Job description

Director of Surgical Services | Northwestern Medical Center

Lead Surgical Services Excellence at Northwestern Medical Center

Northwestern Medical Center (NMC) is seeking a collaborative, results-driven Director of Surgical Services to lead a high-performing perioperative team dedicated to delivering exceptional care to our community. Reporting to the Executive Medical Director of Acute Care and Surgical Services, this executive leader will oversee the Operating Room, Ambulatory Surgery/PACU, Outpatient Department, Infusion Services, and Sterile Processing.

At NMC, people are one of our core values. We are committed to creating an environment where employees feel supported, valued, and empowered to grow professionally while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

About the Role

The Director of Surgical Services is responsible for the strategic, operational, financial, and clinical leadership of Surgical Services. This leader will drive exceptional patient outcomes, operational efficiency, physician engagement, regulatory readiness, team development, and service line growth while fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for all perioperative and surgical services operations.
• Drive quality, patient safety, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.
• Partner closely with surgeons, anesthesia providers, nursing leadership, and executive leadership.
• Lead workforce planning, recruitment, retention, succession planning, and leadership development.
• Oversee departmental budgets, productivity, resource utilization, and capital planning.
• Improve surgical access, patient flow, throughput, and patient experience through data-driven decision making.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives that enhance quality, efficiency, and fiscal performance.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Current Vermont RN license (if applicable).
• Minimum five years of progressive perioperative or surgical services leadership experience.
• Minimum three years of management experience.
• Demonstrated success in physician collaboration, regulatory compliance, budget management, and operational improvement.

Preferred

• Master's degree (MSN, MHA, MBA, or related field).
• Director-level or multi-department leadership experience.
• Community hospital experience.
• Certifications such as CNOR, CSSM, NE-BC, NEA-BC, CPPS, or similar healthcare leadership credentials.

Why NMC?

• Mission-driven community hospital with a commitment to high reliability and exceptional patient care.
• Strong partnership with physicians, nursing leaders, and executive leadership.
• Opportunity to shape the future of Surgical Services and drive meaningful organizational impact.
• Competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Northwestern Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. Qualified candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.