RN Unit Director - Medical / Behavioral Specialty

RN leadership opportunity at Magnet designated, Level 1 Trauma Center in Virginia. The 7M Medical Specialty Unit is a specialized 12-bed inpatient unit dedicated to providing comprehensive care for adult patients with complex medical conditions, co-occurring behavioral health needs, and substance use disorders. Our team delivers evidence-based, compassionate care focused on assessment, stabilization, treatment, and recovery while supporting patients through some of their most challenging healthcare journeys. Staff on 7M work closely with Physicians, Registered Nurses, Therapists, Case Managers, Addiction Specialists, and Behavioral Health Professionals. Together, we address acute medical needs while providing behavioral support, medication management, discharge planning, and recovery-oriented treatment.

The Unit Director/Manager, Nursing provides 24-hour leadership for nursing unit operations, supports staff and patient care delivery, fosters a safe and engaging environment, and bridges organizational strategy with clinical practice.

The Unit Director/Manager, Nursing

• Has 24-hour accountability and responsibility for a direct care nursing unit/area, providing a vital link between the strategic direction of the organization and the point of care. Responsible for creating safe, healthy environments that support the work of the healthcare team and contribute to patient and employee engagement.
• Provides clinical knowledge, leadership mentoring, and support to Assistant Nurse Managers and unit staff. Initiates developmental and performance-based conversations and provides opportunities for professional growth. Cultivates interprofessional relationships and maintains high visibility on the nursing unit.
• Responsible for the development of unit goals, action plans, and outcome monitoring in alignment with nursing and organizational strategic plans. Engages direct reports in meeting strategic unit goals including quality, patient experience, employee engagement, staff retention, and throughput metrics.
• Responsible for planning budgets and managing expenses in alignment with cost-saving initiatives including staffing mix and supply management.
• Monitors and evaluates patient experience with services and implements programs to continuously enhance patient experience in conjunction with senior service line management.
• Facilitates professional growth and development including education, effective performance appraisal processes, developmental conversations, and succession planning.
• Responsible for implementation and monitoring of department budgets, expense management, and engagement in cost containment initiatives.
• Supports facility and organizational mission, goals, values, and scorecard objectives.
• Creates a safe, comfortable, and therapeutic environment for patients and families in accordance with standards and patient rights. Monitors and evaluates quality, appropriateness, and safety of care provided by the department and implements solutions for quality and patient safety opportunities.
• Responsible for employee recognition activities and developing retention strategies to promote a positive work environment. Activities include staff and patient rounding and maintaining high visibility.
• Ensures compliance with applicable regulatory, licensure, and accrediting standards including The Joint Commission, CLIA, COLA, OSHA, AAAHC, and others as applicable.
• Provides day-to-day leadership for successful implementation of departmental goals and objectives including throughput, patient experience rounding, employee engagement, quality monitoring, budget planning, and expense management.
• Communicates, organizes, prioritizes, leads, facilitates, coaches, and problem-solves with reporting staff to ensure goals and objectives are met.
• Collaborates with other department leaders to implement new healthcare services and performance improvement initiatives and positively represents Carilion Clinic at public and professional meetings.
• May provide direct patient care or assist employees in overall patient care activities.
• Responsible for overseeing day-to-day department operations and managing departmental functions and resources in a collaborative and participative manner to optimize service performance.
• Coordinates resources to provide adequate staffing for the department. Demonstrates effective team building and leadership skills. Establishes day-to-day priorities, directs staff assignments, and facilitates team problem-solving processes.
• Facilitates professional growth and development through education and effective performance appraisal processes.
• Responsible for employee recognition activities and developing retention strategies that promote a positive work environment.

What We Require:

Education: Graduate of professional nursing school. BSN required for CMC positions due to Magnet designation

For outlying community hospitals, BSN is preferred or an ADN in conjunction with a related master’s degree

Experience: Minimum of 3 years leadership experience is required; experience in a healthcare setting preferred.

Licensure, certification, and/or registration: Currently licensed as Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, de-escalation training must be successfully completed within four months of hire and then maintained going forward.

Life Support: AHA BLS-HCP required.

Other Minimum Qualifications: Demonstrates excellent problem-solving, interpersonal, communication, team leadership, priority setting and work competency skills. Promotes a respectful, inclusive culture of service excellence. In Psychiatry and Behavioral Health must possess ability to appropriately handle/restrain patients who may be disruptive and/or physically violent.

This job description is only meant to be a representative summary of the major responsibilities and accountabilities performed by the incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.

Carilion Clinic is an Equal Opportunity Employer: We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, or veterans status. Carilion is a Drug-Free Workplace.

An organization where innovation happens, collaboration is expected and ideas are valued. A not-for-profit, mission-driven health system built on progress and partnerships. A courageous team that is always learning, never discouraged and forever curious.

Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., you will find a robust system of award winning hospitals, Level 1 and 3 trauma centers, Level 3 NICU, Institute of Orthopedics and Neurosciences, multi-specialty physician practices, and The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute.

Carilion is where you can make your own path, make new discoveries and, most importantly, make a difference. Here, in a place where the air is clean, people are kind and life is good. Make your tomorrow with us.

*Carilion Total Rewards*

What matters to you is important to uslike benefits, rewards, and resources to improve your life. Carilion understands the importance of prioritizing your well-being to help you develop and thrive. When you make your tomorrow with us, we’ll enhance your potential to realize the best in yourself. Below are benefits available to you when you join Carilion:

Employer Funded Pension Plan, vested after five years (Voluntary 403B)
Comprehensive Medical, Dental, & Vision Benefits
Flexible Work Arrangements/Schedules
Remote Work Options
Paid Time Off (accrued from day one)
Onsite fitness studios and discounts to our Carilion Wellness centers
Access to our health and wellness app, Virgin Pulse
Discounts on childcare
Continued education and training
Find more about Carilion Clinic’s benefits by vising our Total Rewards Page.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Minorities/Females/ProtectedVeterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity
Carilion Clinic is a drug-free workplace