Job Description

Involved in ensuring optimal patient outcomes through effective leadership and / or provision of patient care delivery in assigned nursing unit(s) or area(s). Promotes environment for a shared voice in nursing practice and exchange of ideas to continually improve nursing and patient care outcomes. Accountable for the quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness of patient care. Consults and collaborates with other health care professionals to coordinate the management of patient care. Serves as a resource to staff, physicians, students and others.

As the Unit Director of the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital San Francisco Emergency Department, you will provide nursing leadership for one of the region's premier pediatric emergency care programs. In this pivotal role, you will lead a high-performing team dedicated to delivering exceptional, family-centered care in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment.

As the clinical and operational leader for the department, you will drive excellence in patient outcomes, quality, safety, workforce engagement, and regulatory compliance while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. Working in close partnership with physician leaders and multidisciplinary teams, you will help shape the strategic direction of pediatric emergency services, ensuring the delivery of evidence-based, compassionate care to children and their families during some of their most critical moments.

This is an exceptional opportunity to influence the future of pediatric emergency nursing, develop and mentor a clinical team, and advance UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals' commitment to excellence in patient care, education, research, and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides 24-hour accountability for the clinical, operational, fiscal, human, and material resources of the Emergency Department.
• Manages the day-to-day nursing operations of the department to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality patient care.
• Supervises, coaches, mentors, and develops staff, promoting professional growth, teamwork, accountability, and a positive work environment.
• Recruits, interviews, hires, and retains qualified staff while supporting employee engagement and workforce development.
• Ensures compliance with regulatory, accreditation, organizational, and professional nursing standards, policies, and evidence-based practices.
• Collaborates with physicians and interdisciplinary teams to coordinate and evaluate patient care and achieve quality patient outcomes.
• Oversees patient assessment, triage, treatment, and throughput to support timely access to care and efficient patient flow.
• Coordinates staffing, scheduling, equipment, and resource utilization to meet patient care needs and maintain operational effectiveness.
• Monitors quality, patient safety, patient experience, and operational performance indicators, implementing improvements to enhance care delivery.
• Conducts staff performance evaluations, provides ongoing coaching and feedback, and addresses performance concerns in a timely manner.
• Supports patients and families by promoting effective communication and ensuring the delivery of compassionate, family-centered care.
• Assists with departmental budget planning and monitors the appropriate use of fiscal and material resources.
• Participates in departmental, hospital, and nursing committees and quality improvement initiatives to advance clinical practice and operational excellence.
• Maintains current knowledge of pediatric emergency nursing practice, regulatory requirements, and emerging healthcare trends through ongoing professional development.

%

of time

Essential Function (Yes/No)

Key Responsibilities

(To be completed by Supervisor)

10

yesDevelops and implements operational processes to ensure quality patient care across large departments and / or multiple units. Participates in the development and implementation of patient care practices which meet internal policy, external regulations, and accepted standards across the continuum of care.

10

yesPartners with leadership across services (e.g., outpatient, children's, cancer center, etc.) to develop and implement policies and procedures for coordination of care for all patient populations.

10

yesRepresents nursing units within purview, and / or medical center wide on interdisciplinary committees. Addresses a range of patient care topics impacting the medical center and / or health system, such as patient satisfaction levels, quality improvement initiatives, workflow efficiencies and clinical information systems.

10

yesProvides mentorship / leadership to staff. Reviews and approves individual leadership / professional development plans, with succession planning needs in mind.

10

yesCoordinates the resource needs for areas of responsibility, including the review and approval of budgetary recommendations. Prepares and reviews variance analyses of budgeted revenues and expenses.

10

yesPromotes an environment for collaborative decision making and shared governance across large departments and / or multiple patient care units. Ensures a shared voice in nursing practice and the exchange of ideas to continually improve nursing and patient care outcomes.

10

yesResponsible for employee recruitment, performance evaluation, progressive discipline and staff development. Instills strong management practices to create a culture of teamwork, collaboration, and timely achievement of goals and objectives. Works with clinical educators and leadership to evaluate core competencies in nursing care for units.

10

yesCollaborates with IT managers to develop and implement new or improved patient care information systems and coordinates efforts across large and / or multiple units.

10

yesCollaborates with subordinate management to recommend and maintain adequate staffing levels, Advises senior leaders of administrative and nursing issues, the needs of individual units, and resolution of these matters. Designs and coordinates a patient flow system.

10

yesWorks collaboratively with labor relations on bargaining unit issues and contract negotiations at the local level. Facilitates and oversees resolution of human resources, labor relations, employee safety and risk management issues.

100%

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum two (2)years of Peds ED clinical experience (within the past 5 years)
• Recent administrative oversight in an Emergency Department environment; for example, previous experience as an Assistant Nurse Manager, charge nurse or other similar role.
• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing
• Strong hospital management experience, with progressive and in-depth expertise in patient care services. Knowledge of hospital /clinic operations in a hospital or medical center setting; knowledge of appropriate professional standards for the department and team.
• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills to foster and promote an environment for effective communication and collaborative decision making across multiple units and disciplines.
• Excellent leadership, fiscal and operations management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with physicians, management and staff from all disciplines. Ability to create and maintain a goal-oriented climate of teamwork, collaboration and consistent achievement of objectives.
• Strong knowledge of relevant healthcare information technology and patient care workflows and processes.
• Strong knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements, as well as related legislative, accreditation, licensing and compliance environments.
• Demonstrated skills to effectively supervise clinicians and to manage the complex workflow and multiple priorities involved with a patient care unit.
• Knowledge of Lean principles, bedside shift report, hourly rounding
• Knowledge of business software and specialized applications and data management systems used in nursing units or departments.

Required Licenses/Certifications:

• Registered Nurse in the State of California
• AHA BLS Certification
• AHA PALS Certification
• AHA ACLS Certification

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Nursing or relevant area
• Certification in relevant area