Director Of Nursing - Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (Cvicu)

Title: Director of Nursing - Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) Status: Full-Time | Day Shift | Leadership Position Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States Relocation: Assistance May Be Available for Qualified Candidates Salary: Salary to be discussed by Bryant Staffing Solutions Recruiter Bonus: Eligible for Performance-Based Bonus Visa Support: No Visa Sponsorship Available Position Overview We are seeking an experienced Director of Nursing CVICU to lead a specialized cardiovascular critical care team in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This leadership opportunity is ideal for a clinically proficient nursing professional with extensive cardiac experience, demonstrated management capabilities, and a commitment to exceptional patient care. The Director will oversee clinical operations, nursing staff development, quality improvement, staffing, and departmental performance. This position requires a hands-on leader who can effectively manage administrative responsibilities while maintaining the clinical expertise necessary to support bedside care when needed. The unit primarily serves high-acuity cardiac and vascular patients, offering exposure to advanced cardiovascular procedures and mechanical circulatory support technologies. Key Responsibilities Nursing Leadership & Staff Development

• Provide operational and clinical leadership for a specialized CVICU nursing team.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, retention, mentoring, and professional development.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and supportive work environment.
• Supervise charge nurses and provide direct oversight of management-level responsibilities.
• Promote staff engagement, professional growth, and consistent clinical performance.

Clinical Operations & Patient Care

• Maintain clinical oversight of complex cardiovascular critical care services.
• Provide bedside nursing support when staffing needs require direct patient care.
• Ensure safe management of patients requiring ECMO, LVAD, Impella, intra-aortic balloon pumps, and postoperative open-heart care.
• Collaborate with cardiothoracic surgeons, interventional cardiologists, intensivists, and other specialty teams.
• Coordinate patient flow, staffing resources, and clinical priorities in response to changing patient volumes.

Quality Improvement & Patient Safety

• Monitor patient outcomes, quality indicators, and satisfaction measures.
• Direct chart reviews, clinical audits, and staff education initiatives.
• Implement evidence-based practices and corrective action plans.
• Maintain compliance with nursing standards, regulatory requirements, and organizational policies.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen patient safety and operational effectiveness.

Administrative & Financial Management

• Oversee staffing plans, employee schedules, productivity, and departmental resources.
• Review and approve timekeeping and staffing adjustments.
• Manage departmental budgets and support financial performance objectives.
• Participate in interdisciplinary leadership meetings and strategic planning.
• Coordinate improvement initiatives that support employee satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Work Schedule & Environment

• Schedule: Full-time, primarily day shift, approximately 40 hours per week.
• Weekends: Generally off, with occasional weekend coverage based on operational needs.
• Flexibility: May require earlier or later hours to engage night-shift employees and support shift transitions.
• Leadership Structure: Direct responsibility for departmental operations, supported by four full-time charge nurses.
• Team Composition: Approximately 50 60 nursing employees when fully staffed.
• Clinical Focus: High-acuity cardiovascular and vascular critical care, with opportunities to manage complex cardiac interventions.
• Operational Considerations: Requires effective staffing and productivity management during fluctuations in patient volume.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited nursing program.
  • Candidates without a completed BSN may be considered if already enrolled in an accredited BSN program with an established completion date.
  • Enrollment initiated solely to qualify for this opportunity is not sufficient.
• Licensure: Active Registered Nurse (RN) license recognized by the applicable State Board of Nursing.
• Clinical Experience: Approximately 3 5 years of relevant critical care nursing experience, including substantial recent CVICU experience. Candidates with five or more years of CVICU experience are strongly aligned with the role.
• Leadership Experience: Minimum of two years of formal nursing leadership or management experience, with three years preferred.
  • Qualifying experience may include nurse manager, nursing supervisor, or established charge nurse responsibilities.
  • Temporary or intermittent charge nurse assignments alone do not meet the leadership requirement.
• Certification: Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required within 14 days of hire or transfer and before providing direct patient care.
• Cardiovascular Expertise: Strong clinical knowledge of advanced cardiac critical care, including:
  • Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)
  • Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVAD)
  • Impella cardiac support devices
  • Intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP)
  • Open-heart surgery and postoperative cardiac recovery
• Bedside Competency: Ability and willingness to provide direct CVICU nursing care when operationally necessary.
• Cardiac Background: Extensive cardiovascular nursing experience is essential. Candidates with exclusively medical ICU experience and no significant cardiac exposure will not meet the clinical requirements.

Candidates with strong overall CVICU expertise but limited LVAD experience may still be considered. Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a master's degree in a related healthcare field.
• Specialty certification in critical care, cardiovascular nursing, or nursing administration.
• Three or more years of formal nursing leadership experience.
• Experience overseeing complex cardiovascular intensive care services.
• Demonstrated success improving nurse retention, staff satisfaction, patient outcomes, and departmental productivity.
• Experience collaborating with cardiothoracic surgery and interventional cardiology teams.

Key Skills Required

• CVICU Clinical Expertise: Advanced cardiovascular critical care and mechanical circulatory support.
• Nursing Leadership: Staff supervision, mentorship, recruitment, and retention.
• Clinical Decision-Making: Ability to manage complex cardiac patients and support bedside care.
• Operational Management: Staffing, scheduling, budgeting, and productivity oversight.
• Quality Improvement: Clinical audits, patient safety initiatives, and performance monitoring.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Effective communication with physicians, nursing teams, and hospital leadership.
• Change Management: Ability to lead operational improvements while maintaining staff engagement.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Lead a dedicated, experienced nursing team with a strong culture of accountability and collaboration.
• Work in a specialized cardiovascular environment with exposure to advanced cardiac procedures.
• Join a team with a history of strong patient satisfaction and quality outcomes.
• Influence nursing practice, employee development, and departmental performance.
• Collaborate closely with cardiovascular specialists and interdisciplinary clinical leaders.
• Access professional development resources and opportunities for career advancement.

Why Albuquerque, New Mexico? Albuquerque offers a distinctive Southwestern lifestyle, combining outdoor adventure, cultural attractions, and metropolitan conveniences.

• Outdoor Recreation: Explore the Sandia Mountains, hiking trails, biking routes, and nearby ski destinations.
• Entertainment: Enjoy the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, festivals, and live music.
• Dining & Culture: Client New Mexican cuisine, historic Old Town, museums, and local arts.
• Lifestyle: Enjoy abundant sunshine and housing costs that can be more accessible than in many larger metropolitan areas.

Benefits & Additional Information

• Comprehensive employee benefits package.
• Professional growth and continuing education opportunities.
• Employee wellness and financial well-being resources.
• Potential relocation assistance for qualified candidates.
• Bonus eligibility.
• Interview travel reimbursement available.
• On-site leadership position with no routine travel requirement.