Wallowa Memorial Hospital & Medical Clinics is seeking an experienced, clinically strong Surgical Services Director to lead our Surgical Services team and help ensure safe, high-quality care for our patients across the surgical continuum.
This is an excellent opportunity for a nurse leader who enjoys a hands-on leadership role, thrives in a collaborative environment, and is passionate about both patient care and developing a strong team.
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a leader who:
- Makes sound, timely decisions in urgent and emergent situations.
- Remains calm and effective in a rapidly changing clinical environment.
- Leads with compassion, respect, integrity, quality, stewardship, and a commitment to family and teamwork.
- Has strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Builds trust and productive relationships with physicians and staff.
- Uses sound judgment and critical thinking to solve complex problems.
- Takes initiative and maintains a high standard of clinical and operational performance.
- Is committed to continuous learning and professional development.
- Understands that excellent patient care and responsible stewardship of hospital resources go hand in hand.
Why Wallowa Memorial?
At Wallowa Memorial Hospital & Medical Clinics, our mission is to provide premier health care, and our vision is to be a recognized leader in mission focus, quality care, and fiscal strength.
Our values — Compassion, Respect, Integrity, Quality, Stewardship, and Family — guide the way we care for our patients and support one another.
If you are an experienced perioperative nurse who is ready to lead a close-knit team while remaining connected to the clinical work you love, we invite you to join Wallowa Memorial Hospital & Medical Clinics.
About the Position
The Surgical Services Director provides clinical, operational, and administrative leadership for Surgery, Endoscopy, PACU, and Sterile Processing. This position is responsible for ensuring safe, high quality perioperative care; leading and developing the Surgical Services team; coordinating staffing and department operations; maintaining regulatory, accreditation, and quality standards; and partnering closely with physicians and hospital leadership. The Director also plays an important role in evaluating and implementing new procedures, services, equipment, and opportunities for growth within Surgical Services. This position is responsible for directing patient care in the operative environment, supervising and supporting staff, coordinating surgical services, maintaining regulatory and quality standards, and partnering closely with physicians and nursing leadership to ensure service line optimization and growth.
Because this is a working clinical leadership position, the successful candidate will remain actively involved in patient care and may function in the roles of Circulating RN, Scrub RN, and PACU RN, as well as provide support within Sterile Processing.
The Surgical Services Director reports to the Chief Nursing Officer and plays an important role in advancing the hospital's commitment to quality, patient safety, teamwork, and responsible stewardship of resources.
What You'll Do
Clinical & Patient Care Leadership
- Direct and supervise nursing care for patients across the surgical suite, Endoscopy, and PACU.
- Promote safe, high-quality patient care for neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations.
- Maintain a patient-centered environment that promotes safety and minimizes the risk of medical errors.
- Assess and reassess pain and utilize appropriate pain-management techniques.
- Ensure appropriate RN circulator and PACU coverage for surgical cases.
- Maintain competency in moderate sedation and applicable clinical procedures.
- Participate directly in clinical operations as needed.
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, schedule, assign, and delegate work to Surgical Services staff.
- Communicate clear expectations and promote accountability, teamwork, and professional development.
- Orient and support new employees.
- Conduct employee evaluations and manage staff performance in collaboration with the CNO and HR.
- Facilitate problem-solving and encourage staff participation in improving departmental operations.
- Maintain strong, collaborative relationships with physicians, nursing leadership, and other hospital departments.
- Provide education and in-service training related to new products, procedures, equipment, and processes.
Operations & Resource Management
- Coordinate staffing and surgical schedules to support efficient department operations.
- Ensure appropriate supplies and equipment are available for procedures.
- Maintain inventory levels and identify opportunities to improve resource utilization.
- Evaluate the need for new supplies, equipment, and technology and make recommendations to nursing leadership.
- Assist with Surgical Services budget planning.
- Oversee room turnover, equipment cleanliness, sterile processing, and operational readiness.
- Maintain appropriate clean/dirty traffic patterns and infection-control practices.
Quality, Safety & Compliance
- Maintain and promote compliance with applicable state and federal regulations.
- Maintain DNV and ISO 9001 accreditation/compliance readiness.
- Develop, revise, and implement Surgical Services policies and procedures.
- Lead quality improvement activities and communicate results to staff.
- Prepare and report monthly department statistics.
- Participate in quality improvement, committee, and other organizational meetings.
- Maintain compliance with infection prevention, fire and safety, and department-specific requirements.
- Maintain patient confidentiality and uphold organizational policies and ethical standards.
What We're Looking For
Required:
- Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
- Current Oregon Registered Nurse license.
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
- Current Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification.
- Minimum of three years of surgical nursing experience.
- Demonstrated leadership experience and strong communication, critical thinking, and problem solving skills.
- Strong clinical assessment and decision-making skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
Preferred:
- PALS certification.
- CNOR or other relevant perioperative certification.
- Peri-Op 101 or equivalent perioperative education.
- Previous leadership or supervisory experience in Surgical Services.
Join us in providing exceptional care to the patients and communities we serve.
At Wallowa Memorial Hospital and Medical Clinics, we value compassion, respect and integrity in all that we do. As a member of our team, you can expect a fulfilling career alongside like-minded professionals who are dedicated to delivering premier care to the residents of Wallowa County.
We treat every employee like a valued member of the family and offer an exciting opportunity to contribute to a nationally recognized, world-class healthcare facility. Wallowa Memorial has been named one of the Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals in the nation and honored as a Top Place to Work in Healthcare for 5 consecutive years
EEOC/ACCOMMODATION STATEMENT:
Wallowa County Health Care District is a drug and alcohol-free workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer. All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of background and drug screenings. Please note that we adhere to federal guidelines regarding prohibited substances, including those that may be legal under state law.
Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruitment process are encouraged to contact the Human Resources Department for assistance.
Paper applications may be obtained at Wallowa Memorial Hospital.
Please email Anna, HR Executive, at Anna.Hayter@wchcd.org for any further inquiries.