Job Description

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

Job Location (Full Address):

601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14642

Opening:

Worker Subtype:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Department:

500406 Pediatric Nursing/SMH

Work Shift:

UR - Day (United States of America)

Range:

UR URC 220

Compensation Range:

$131,435.00 - $197,163.00

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

Responsibilities:

The Director, Critical Care provides director-level leadership for Golisano Children's critical care services, including NICU (CH3, 334, NBN), PICU, Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency Department, and Pediatric Transport. Reporting to the Chief Nursing Officer, the position oversees clinical operations, patient safety and quality, staff leadership, fiscal stewardship, and regulatory compliance. The Director partners with the Assistant Director, Critical Care and unit-based nursing leaders to ensure safe, high-reliability care and support service growth across the Finger Lakes Region and Western New York.

Strategic Leadership and Operations: Direct critical care nursing operations and strategic priorities across NICU, PICU, PCCC, Pediatric ED and Transport. Partner with the Assistant Director and Nurse Managers to ensure consistent operations; represent critical care in hospital and system leadership forums; lead readiness for service growth and facility expansion. Provide leadership in developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating nursing practice standards across assigned services. Identify practice gaps, establish improvement action plans, and evaluate outcomes to ensure safe, consistent, evidence-based patient care.

Clinical Quality, Patient Safety and Regulatory Compliance: Oversee clinical quality and safety indicators, RL event review, and performance improvement. Promote high-reliability, evidence-based pediatric and neonatal practice; ensure compliance with regulatory, licensing and accreditation standards; contribute to Magnet designation readiness. Direct personnel management functions across assigned services, including recruitment, selection, performance evaluation, employee development, and corrective action. Ensure personnel decisions and practices comply with University policies and organizational expectations.

Staff Leadership and Development: Lead, mentor and manage the performance of the Assistant Director, Critical Care and unit-based nursing leadership. Develop succession pathways for Nurse Managers, Senior ANMs and ANMs; champion recruitment and retention strategies for pediatric critical care nursing. Lead annual operating budget development, monitoring, and analysis for assigned services. Evaluate staffing utilization, productivity, and resource allocation to support fiscal responsibility, patient safety, and clinical quality.

Fiscal and Resource Management: Oversee budgets, staffing models and resource planning for critical care units in partnership with the Chief Nursing Officer and Finance. Use patient acuity, operational data and safety needs to guide staffing and resource allocation decisions. Represent critical care nursing on hospital, Medical Center, and interdisciplinary committees as appropriate. Participate in planning and evaluation of patient care programs and maintain professional knowledge through relevant conferences, professional organizations, and continuing education.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Practice Advancement: Collaborate with critical care and neonatology medical directors, Nursing Professional Practice, Quality and Education partners to align clinical and operational goals, strengthen competencies, and maintain consistent practice standards.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

BSN and a master’s degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or a related field required. DNP or PhD in Nursing preferred.

Minimum 5–7 years of progressive nursing leadership experience, including direct leadership in critical care or high-acuity pediatric care; demonstrated leadership experience in budgeting, staffing models and resource management. Experience with organizational growth, restructuring or facility expansion preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Strong knowledge of pediatric and neonatal critical care standards; sound judgment in high-acuity situations; strategic and operational leadership; change management, communication and interdisciplinary relationship-building; commitment to equity, collaboration and staff development.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Current New York State RN licensure or eligibility required.

National certification in nursing leadership or critical care (e.g., NEA-BC, CCRN) preferred.

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.