SHR Talent is partnering with a healthcare client in El Paso, Texas in its search for a Director of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This leadership opportunity is responsible for overseeing all clinical, operational, financial, and strategic functions of a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Transition Nursery within a high-acuity acute care hospital environment. The Director will provide vision and direction for neonatal services while ensuring exceptional patient outcomes, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals centered around quality, safety, and compassionate care.
This position will lead a team supporting approximately 60 FTEs across a 35-bed NICU with additional overflow capacity and will maintain accountability for 24/7 departmental operations, staffing, transport services, quality outcomes, budget management, and physician collaboration. The ideal candidate will bring strong neonatal leadership experience, a passion for developing high-performing clinical teams, and the ability to drive continuous improvement initiatives in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
The Director will serve as a strategic partner across nursing leadership, physicians, respiratory therapy, pharmacy, laboratory services, and executive administration to ensure coordinated delivery of neonatal care while supporting growth initiatives, patient satisfaction, employee engagement, and long-term service line development. Relocation assistance and a sign-on bonus are available for qualified candidates.
Responsibilities:
• Direct and oversee daily operations of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Transition Nursery, and NICU Transport services to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality patient care delivery
• Lead department budgeting, financial forecasting, productivity management, inventory controls, and capital planning initiatives to support operational and strategic objectives
• Develop, implement, and monitor quality improvement programs focused on patient outcomes, safety metrics, regulatory compliance, and clinical excellence
• Recruit, coach, evaluate, mentor, and develop clinical and leadership staff while maintaining accountability for workforce planning and employee engagement
• Collaborate with physicians and multidisciplinary stakeholders to optimize neonatal services, support growth initiatives, and strengthen patient, physician, and staff satisfaction
• Maintain 24-hour operational accountability and serve as the escalation point for clinical and operational issues within neonatal services
• Drive outreach, marketing, and community engagement efforts that support growth and visibility of neonatal services
Qualifications:
Degree
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required
Master’s degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or related field preferred
License(s) or Certification(s)
Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in Texas or Compact State required
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required
Current Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification required
Current S.T.A.B.L.E. certification required
Job Experience and/or Industry Experience
Progressive nursing leadership experience within Neonatal Intensive Care, Women’s Services, Pediatric Critical Care, or Acute Care Hospital settings required
Experience leading Level III NICU operations, neonatal transport programs, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams strongly preferred
Demonstrated success managing department budgets, staffing, service line growth, and quality initiatives
Software Skills
Experience utilizing Electronic Medical Records (EMR/EHR), workforce management platforms, scheduling systems, and Microsoft Office Suite required
Other Skills
Strong leadership, operational management, strategic planning, financial acumen, communication, physician partnership, staff development, conflict resolution, and decision-making capabilities
Experience driving patient satisfaction, employee engagement, regulatory readiness, and continuous process improvement initiatives preferred