Job Title

Director of Emergency Services

Job Type

• Full-time
• Director / Department Head
• On-site

Compensation

• Salary range: $83,616 – $112,881 annually
• Eligible for annual performance-based merit increases, per hospital policy

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer contributions
• Competitive Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Employee Assistance Program (mental, physical & financial wellness resources)
• Tuition reimbursement/assistance for approved programs
• Continuing education support and professional development opportunities
• Life and disability insurance options
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA) and/or health savings accounts (HSA), where applicable
• Shift differential pay where applicable (per facility policy)
• Employee recognition and service award programs

Work Location

• Maysville, Kentucky, 41056

Work Schedule

Full-time, exempt leadership position; primarily weekday business hours with flexibility required for evenings, nights, weekends, and on-call availability to support a 24/7 Emergency Department.

Travel

Minimal travel; occasional travel for meetings, training, or network-wide initiatives may be required.

Relocation

Relocation assistance may be considered for highly qualified candidates, in accordance with employer policies and budget.

Company Description

This opportunity is with a Joint Commission–accredited, approximately 100-bed acute care hospital that has been repeatedly recognized as one of the Top 100 Hospitals in the United States. The organization is part of a larger, national healthcare network dedicated to delivering high-quality, cost-effective care and advancing community health. The facility provides a broad range of inpatient, outpatient, and emergency services and is committed to clinical excellence, patient safety, and a culture of continuous improvement. Leaders here collaborate across disciplines to implement evidence-based practices, enhance patient experience, and support professional growth for all team members.

Job Summary

The Director of Emergency Services is a key nursing and operational leader responsible for the strategic, clinical, and administrative oversight of a 12-bed Emergency Department within a 100-bed acute care hospital. This role ensures safe, timely, and high-quality care for critically ill and emergent adult patients while aligning Emergency Department (ED) services with organizational goals, regulatory standards, and community needs. The Director will provide direct leadership for ED nursing and support staff, oversee daily operations, lead performance improvement initiatives, and collaborate with physicians, hospital leadership, and ancillary departments. The successful candidate is a visible, hands-on leader with strong clinical acumen, excellent communication skills, and a proven track record in emergency or acute care leadership.

Why Join

• Lead a high-impact department: Guide the clinical and operational performance of a 12-bed Emergency Department within a recognized Top 100 Hospital.
• Strong organizational support: Be part of a national healthcare network with robust clinical resources, established quality programs, and supportive executive leadership.
• Meaningful community impact: Serve a close-knit community in a scenic riverside town, where access to efficient, high-quality emergency care makes an immediate difference.
• Professional growth: Take advantage of tuition assistance, continuing education, and mentorship opportunities, with a clear pathway for regional or system-level advancement.
• Collaborative culture: Work in an environment that values interprofessional collaboration, evidence-based practice, and innovation in patient care.
• Competitive total rewards: Receive a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package, employer retirement contributions, and generous paid time off.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Provide overall leadership and direction for the Emergency Department, including clinical, operational, and administrative functions for a 12-bed ED.
• Develop and communicate a clear vision and strategic plan for Emergency Services that aligns with hospital and system-wide goals, mission, and values.
• Ensure the delivery of safe, evidence-based, patient-centered care to critically ill and emergent adult patients and, as applicable, pediatric patients.
• Collaborate closely with ED physicians, advanced practice providers, hospitalists, nursing leadership, and ancillary departments to optimize patient flow, throughput, and care coordination.
• Oversee day-to-day ED operations, including staffing, scheduling, resource allocation, supply management, and coordination with other hospital departments.
• Establish, monitor, and improve departmental performance metrics (e.g., door-to-provider time, LWBS, throughput times, quality and safety indicators, patient experience scores).
• Lead and sustain performance improvement, quality, and patient safety initiatives within the Emergency Department, including root cause analyses and action plans as needed.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements, including Joint Commission standards, CMS conditions of participation, state and federal regulations, EMTALA, and internal policies.
• Develop and maintain departmental policies, procedures, and protocols that reflect current clinical standards, legal and regulatory requirements, and organizational expectations.
• Lead the implementation and ongoing optimization of clinical technologies, electronic medical records, and patient care equipment in the ED.
• Collaborate with finance and administration to assist in the development, monitoring, and management of the ED operating and capital budgets.
• Monitor departmental financial performance, identify opportunities for cost-effective care, and implement strategies to manage labor, supply, and non-labor expenses without compromising quality or safety.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, and retain qualified ED nursing and support staff, fostering a culture of engagement, accountability, and high performance.
• Provide direct supervision and coaching to ED staff, including conducting regular performance evaluations, goal setting, and professional development planning.
• Oversee staff education, mandatory training, competencies, certifications, and continuing education to ensure staff are fully prepared to deliver high-quality emergency nursing care.
• Address performance issues and conduct corrective or disciplinary actions in accordance with human resources policies and organizational standards.
• Champion a positive, respectful, and inclusive work environment that supports teamwork, resilience, and staff well-being.
• Promote effective communication within the ED team and between ED staff and other hospital departments through regular staff meetings, rounding, and open-door communication.
• Support and participate in internal and external audits, surveys, and inspections; lead follow-up action plans to address any identified gaps or opportunities.
• Implement and monitor evidence-based clinical protocols, order sets, and pathways related to emergency care (e.g., sepsis, stroke, chest pain, trauma, behavioral health emergencies).
• Ensure optimal triage processes and prioritization of patient care according to acuity and clinical urgency.
• Collaborate with emergency medical services (EMS) and community partners to strengthen transitions of care, referral patterns, and disaster/emergency preparedness.
• Participate in hospital-wide committees, task forces, and initiatives related to emergency care, quality, patient safety, and strategic planning.
• Contribute to and support disaster preparedness and emergency management planning, including drills, surge planning, and mass casualty response for the hospital.
• Evaluate and respond to patient, family, and staff concerns or complaints in a timely, professional, and service-oriented manner.
• Serve as a role model for professional nursing practice, ethical behavior, and adherence to the organization’s mission, vision, and values.
• Maintain awareness of current trends, best practices, and regulatory changes in emergency nursing and healthcare leadership, and translate this knowledge into departmental improvements.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities Required

• Comprehensive knowledge of emergency nursing practice, standards of care, and current evidence-based guidelines for adult emergency and critical care populations.
• In-depth understanding of hospital operations, particularly within acute care and emergency settings, including patient flow, throughput, and capacity management.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to motivate, mentor, and develop staff at all levels and to build cohesive, high-performing teams.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to participate in budget development, interpret financial reports, and manage departmental resources effectively.
• Familiarity with regulatory and accreditation requirements relevant to Emergency Services, including Joint Commission, CMS, EMTALA, OSHA, and state health regulations.
• Ability to plan, implement, and evaluate quality improvement and patient safety initiatives using data-driven methodologies and performance metrics.
• Proficiency in using electronic health records (EHR) and common clinical and administrative software applications; ability to champion technology adoption and optimization in the ED.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly and persuasively to staff, peers, physicians, and executive leadership.
• Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to foster collaboration and maintain professional relationships across disciplines and departments.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple, competing demands in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment while maintaining composure and sound judgment.
• Skill in analyzing complex clinical and operational issues, identifying root causes, and implementing effective, sustainable solutions.
• Demonstrated commitment to patient- and family-centered care, service excellence, and a positive patient experience.
• Ability to interpret and apply clinical research, professional guidelines, and evidence-based practices to departmental policies and protocols.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to lead initiatives from planning through execution and evaluation.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the ability to lead a culturally competent team that provides equitable care to all patient populations.

Education / Professional Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required; a Master’s degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred. Relevant leadership experience may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree, per employer policy.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of recent clinical experience in Emergency Nursing or a closely related acute care specialty required.
• Minimum of 2–3 years of progressive leadership experience in a hospital setting (e.g., Charge Nurse, Supervisor, Manager, Assistant Director, or Director) strongly preferred; prior experience in ED leadership preferred.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully leading teams, improving departmental performance, and implementing quality or process improvement initiatives.
• Experience working within a Joint Commission–accredited acute care environment preferred.

Licenses / Certifications

• Current, active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of Kentucky, or eligibility to obtain Kentucky licensure prior to start date, required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required within 1 month of hire (must be maintained in good standing).
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification required within 6 months of hire (must be maintained in good standing).
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification required within 6 months of hire (must be maintained in good standing).
• Additional emergency or critical care certifications (e.g., CEN, TCRN, ENPC) are highly desirable and may be encouraged or required after hire, per department policy.



Additional Information

• Work Environment: This role is based in a fast-paced, 24/7 Emergency Department within an acute care hospital. The Director will spend time both in clinical areas and in an office setting, with frequent interaction with staff, providers, patients, and families.
• Physical Requirements: Must be able to meet the physical demands of a hospital leadership role, including prolonged periods of walking, standing, and sitting; occasional lifting or positioning of patients or equipment; and the ability to respond quickly in emergency situations. Reasonable accommodations may be made in accordance with applicable law.
• Reporting Structure: The Director of Emergency Services typically reports to the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) or another senior nursing/hospital executive and directly supervises ED nurses, charge nurses, and support staff.
• Confidential Search: This position is being recruited on a confidential basis through a staffing partner; the hiring organization’s name will be shared with qualified candidates during later stages of the process.
• Background Checks: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background checks, license verification, drug screening, and other pre-employment requirements as applicable.
• Immigration / Work Authorization: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship may not be available for this position.
• Equal Opportunity Employment: The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination or harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.