DIRECTOR- INPATIENT SERVICES

Join Palestine Regional Medical Center in Palestine, TX, a 150-bed hospital that has recently earned the prestigious Leapfrog “A” Safety Grade, the Platinum Award for quality from parent-company ScionHealth, and certification as a Chest Pain Center and Level IV Trauma facility. Palestine Regional provides a range of comprehensive care, including the latest in diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative services, both on an inpatient and outpatient basis. Palestine Regional is an integral part of the local community, giving you the chance to grow your career while making a real impact close to home.

Job Summary

The Director – Inpatient Services provides strategic, operational, and clinical leadership for all inpatient nursing units, including Medical/Surgical, ICU, and other assigned acute-care services. The Director ensures delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care; maintains regulatory compliance; drives performance improvement; and leads initiatives that align with organizational goals. This position oversees staffing, budgeting, clinical standards, quality metrics, and interdepartmental coordination to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective inpatient operations.

Essential Functions

Leadership & Operations

• Provides administrative and clinical leadership for all inpatient units, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and standards of care.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates departmental policies, procedures, and evidence-based clinical practices.
• Oversees daily operations, census/acuity-based staffing, workflow efficiency, and resource utilization across all inpatient departments.
• Leads performance improvement, quality assurance, regulatory readiness, and patient safety initiatives.
• Coordinates interdepartmental collaboration to optimize patient flow, care coordination, and service delivery.
• Participates in executive leadership meetings, committees, and strategic planning activities.

Clinical Oversight

• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and accreditation standards.
• Monitors patient care delivery, quality indicators, and clinical outcomes; implements corrective action when needed.
• Provides direct patient care when necessary to support care continuity and uphold clinical standards.

Financial & Workforce Management

• Develops and manages departmental budgets, including labor, supplies, and capital requests.
• Oversees recruitment, retention, onboarding, scheduling, coaching, and performance evaluation of nursing staff.
• Identifies and addresses staffing needs to maintain safe patient ratios and regulatory compliance.

Professional Development

• Promotes team engagement, professional growth, and a culture of continuous learning.
• Ensures timely competency assessments, required certifications, and annual performance reviews.
• Serves as a mentor and role model for nursing leadership, professionalism, and evidence-based practice.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations

• Strong clinical background in acute inpatient nursing, including critical care and medical/surgical care.
• Demonstrated leadership ability to guide, coach, and motivate large multidisciplinary teams.
• Extensive knowledge of hospital regulations, accreditation standards, quality improvement methods, and patient safety principles.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Effective communication, collaboration, conflict-resolution, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with EMR systems and standard business software (e.g., Microsoft Office).
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, and patient interaction.
• Physical ability to assist with patient handling and lift up to 50 lbs as needed.
• Requires visual acuity, manual dexterity, and ability to communicate effectively.
• Hospital inpatient units with exposure to patients, clinical equipment, and standard healthcare environmental risks.
• Exposure to bloodborne pathogens, infectious diseases, and airborne or chemical hazards; appropriate PPE required.

Education

• Postsecondary Non-Degree (Certificate/Diploma/Program Graduate) from an Accredited School of Nursing (Required) Or
• Associate’s Degree in Nursing (Required) Or
• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (Preferred) Or
• Equivalent Combination of Education and Experience - Equivalent to 3-5 years of clinical nursing experience and progressive leadership/management (May be Considered).

Licenses/Certifications

• Current RN license in the state of employment (or Compact State, as applicable).
• Basic Life Support (BLS) – required.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) – required within facility-defined timeframe.
• Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) – if required by facility.
• Specialty certifications (e.g., CCRN, CPPS) may be required or preferred based on unit needs.

Experience

• Minimum 3–5 years of clinical nursing experience in an acute-care setting.
• Minimum 3–5 years of progressive leadership or nursing management experience preferred.
• Experience in high-acuity, fast-paced environments strongly preferred.