Director, Patient Care RN - Cardiology
Full Time, Salary Role - Eligible for the Management Incentive Compensation Plan (MICP) at the Director level
Location: Scripps Memorial La Jolla
AWARD-WINNING WORKPLACE:
- Scripps is a Great Place to Work Certified company for 2026.
- Recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity in 2024.
- Becker's Healthcare ranked Scripps Health on its 2026 list of 165 top places to work in health care.
- Nearly a quarter of our employees have been with Scripps Health for over 10 years.
- As a designated Magnet Hospital, Scripps Memorial La Jolla was the first San Diego hospital honored by the American Nursing Association for delivering excellence in patient care.
Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla has been providing quality clinical and surgical services since 1924. For over 90 years, Scripps Memorial Hospital has been recognized as a premier medical center for quality patient care and a wide array of medical services. Specialized cardiac care with one of only two outpatient cardiac catheterization labs in the state, 59 intensive care unit beds, cancer care, orthopedic services, women’s health, including OB-GYN and labor and delivery services, are just a portion of what Scripps Memorial La Jolla has to offer. This nationally recognized Southern California hospital also provides a Level I Trauma center and 24-hour emergency services.
As the Director of Patient Care, Cardiology RN, you will play a pivotal role in leading and ensuring the highest quality of care across multiple specialized cardiology units. You will oversee operations for diverse, high-performing teams and collaborate closely with medical staff to continuously enhance patient outcomes.
Key Responsibilities:
- Leadership of Cardiology Services: Oversee the daily operations of multiple cardiology units, including 8 Cath Labs, 3 Recovery Rooms, 6 EP Labs, Liaison for Dialysis Services, Cardiac Rehab, structural heart, MCS and heart failure services.
- Ensure Excellence in Patient Care: Be accountable for delivering safe, efficient, and high-quality patient care across all assigned units, ensuring compliance with established standards of care and best practices in nursing.
- Drive Continuous Improvement: Lead efforts to improve key quality indicators and patient satisfaction, consistently achieving or surpassing target metrics.
- Strategic Leadership: Collaborate with senior leadership to develop and implement strategies that maximize productivity, optimize resource utilization, and maintain budgetary goals to meet organizational targets.
- MD and Stakeholder Collaboration: Foster positive, productive relationships with physicians and external partners to ensure seamless, high-quality care delivery. Resolve challenges collaboratively with a focus on patient-centered outcomes.
- Committee and Project Participation: Serve on hospital and system-wide committees, contributing to initiatives that enhance operational efficiency, clinical quality, and patient experience.
- Mentor and Develop Leaders: Mentor emerging nursing leaders, nurturing their growth and development to provide outstanding, safe patient care while meeting leadership expectations and department goals.
Operational Responsibilities:
- Standard of Care Excellence: Create and maintain a nursing environment that reflects the highest standards of care and fosters a culture centered on patient safety.
- Efficient Patient Flow: Oversee bed placement, patient transfer, and discharge processes, ensuring timely and effective care transitions using technology.
- Patient Continuum of Care: Ensure patients experience safe transitions through every level of care by coordinating with nursing teams to ensure thorough planning and seamless hand-offs.
This role is essential in creating an environment where both patients and staff thrive. As Director, Patient Care - Cardiology RN, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of cardiology care within our health system, driving quality improvements, operational excellence, and staff engagement.
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QualificationsRequired Education/Experience/Specialized Skills:
- Master’s degree in Nursing or a related healthcare field.
- Minimum of seven years of applicable clinical experience, with at least three years in a leadership role.
- Proven expertise in communication, problem-solving, team development, strategic planning, and project follow-through.
- Demonstrated ability to manage assigned services effectively, considering the organization's scope and the complexity of patient care.
- Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
Required Certification/Registration:
- Active California RN license.
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association.
Preferred Education/Experience/Specialized Skills/Certification:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) preferred.
Experience working in cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, cardiac catheterization, cardiac rehabilitation, or related cardiovascular care settings preferred.
- Specialty certification (if applicable) is highly preferred.