Description

We are dedicated to providing exceptional care to every patient, every time.  

St. Luke’s Hospital is a value-driven award-winning health system that has been nationally recognized for its unmatched service and quality of patient care. Using talents and resources responsibly, we provide high quality, safe care with compassion, professional excellence, and respect for each other and those we serve. Committed to values of human dignity, compassion, justice, excellence, and stewardship St. Luke’s Hospital for over a decade has been recognized for “Outstanding Patient Experience” by HealthGrades.   

Position Summary:  

The Director of Emergency Services is responsible for the direction and leadership of operational, financial, programmatic and personnel activities for the Emergency Department. This includes establishing, meeting and continuously monitoring the goals and objectives while maintaining alignment with the strategic goals and objectives for St. Luke’s. While the range of duties and responsibilities is broad and varied, the position’s major responsibility is directing the day-to-day operations, budgeting, financial management, and human resource management. The Director works closely with a variety of stakeholders, coordinating the activities of the Emergency Department across the St. Luke’s network.

Education, Experience, & Licensing Requirements:    

Education: Bachelor’s degree in nursing Required; Master’s degree of relevant subject area such as Nursing, Business, Management, or Healthcare Administration is required. 

Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of progressive nursing experience, including at least two (2) years in a formal leadership or management role within Emergency Services or a high-acuity clinical environment.

Licensure: Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the state of Missouri  

Benefits for a Better You:   

Day one benefits package  
Pension Plan & 401K  
Competitive compensation  
FSA & HSA options  
PTO programs available  
Education Assistance  
  
  
Why You Belong Here:   

You matter. We could not achieve our mission daily without the hands of our team. Our culture and compassion for our patients and team are a distinct reflection of our dynamic workforce. Each team member is focused on being part of something much bigger than themselves. Join our St. Luke’s family to be a part of making life better for our patients, their families, and one another. 

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Principle Accountabilities:

 Assessment

-Collects and analyzes data to determine staffing patterns and overall Department of Nursing staffing plans.  Uses this data to project staffing needs and to ensure that all nursing units are staffed according to patient needs.
-Reviews staffing patterns and Assistant Director’s reports to assess the appropriate number and level of personnel needed to provide quality care.
-Makes rounds to assess the quality of patient care and to identify problems and needs.
-Investigates complaints concerning patient care and takes appropriate action.
-With the Nurse Manager and Department Supervisor assess nursing care, environment and equipment regularly to ensure high standards of cleanliness, safety, and infection control and compliance with all regulatory bodies.

Planning

-Plans and develops self-objectives, identifies area of delegation, sets priorities and target dates for completion and identified resources needed.
-Serves as manager, communicator, participator in department and institutional policy development and planning.
-Organizes, plans, and directs department functions and activities to comply with long- and short-term objectives and with hospital philosophy and policies.
-Establishes (with assistance of Vice President - Patient Services and in conjunction with Assistant Director and Nurse Manager) philosophy, goals, objectives and standards to achieve high quality nursing care.
-Serves as a liaison between Patient Services and other hospital departments.
-With the assistance of management personnel, maintains compliance with the job descriptions/performance standards, which are position specific.
-Monitors compliance of nursing divisions with budgeted worked hours.
-In conjunction with the Department of Education, plans ways to promote the growth and development of staff and managers through educational opportunities.
-Serves on committees as outlined in the Department of Nursing Scope of Practice.

Implementation

-Directs the formulation and implementation of Hospital Policies and Nursing Standards.
-Assists the Nurse  Manager and Department Supervisor in developing objectives, planning changes, developing and monitoring standards of nursing care and care delivery systems.
-Meets regularly with the Vice President - Patient Services to discuss objectives, staffing needs, budget, hospital policies, and management concerns.
-Formulates new ideas to old problems and initiates the change.
-Maintains compliance with nursing care standards, hospital policies and procedure and regulatory agency requirements.
-Interprets policies, procedures, objectives, standards, and philosophy to personnel and utilizes the Just culture process while determining corrective action decisions.
-Serves as resource for the Assistant Directors, Department Supervisors, Nurse Managers and ANM’s regarding personnel management.
-Implements activities necessary to meet nursing objectives.
-Promotes harmonious relationships and favorable attitudes among the healthcare team.
-Serves as consultant role model for nursing personnel.
-Collaborates with Nurse Manager and Department Supervisor to initiate planned change and evaluate outcomes to ensure care is safe, efficient, and therapeutic.
-Supports the Director of Clinical Education in providing continuing education for personnel.
-Assesses problems, irregularities and policy violations, takes corrective action and follows-up when necessary.  Assists in solving grievances and problems.
-Serves as consultant on hospital admitting and discharge procedures and other matters that affect patient care.
-Assists the Nurse Manager and Department Supervisor in monitoring, preparing and submitting budget information and justification to the Vice President - Patient Services.
-Serves as advisor to personnel in providing for psychological and spiritual needs of the patients.
-Keeps informed and up-to-date in all aspects of nursing care and management through literature, workshops, seminars, courses, and conferences.
-Leads and assists with project initiation, implementation, and evaluation for the Department of  Nursing and, as needed, for the hospital as a whole.
-Maintains contact and communication with the Vice President - Patient Services, Department Heads and Medical Staff concerning all areas of direct and indirect patient care and hospital matters.

Evaluation

-Evaluates and analyzes incident reports and assures appropriate follow-up action.
-Continually evaluates the care delivered by direct observation and rounds, reviewing results of standard monitoring and patient questionnaires.  Ensures continual corrective and follow-up action where deficient.
-Evaluates the performance of Nurse Managers, Department Supervisors, Assistant Directors and Managers of areas reporting to them according to their job descriptions/performance standards.
-In conjunction with the Nurse Manager, evaluates staffing on a regular basis, revising as necessary.
-Evaluates forms used by the Department of Nursing and Ancillary Departments.
-Evaluates and revises standards of nursing practice.
-In collaboration with the Nurse Manager and Department Supervisors, evaluates personnel’s performance during emergencies and hospital disasters.
-Constantly evaluates attitudes, morale and interpersonal relationships and promotes ways to improve in these areas.
-In collaboration with the Nurse Manager, evaluates and ensures that the nursing process is carried out in a continuous manner.
-Interviews, hires, supervises, and evaluates nursing managers and other assigned personnel.
-Orients and assists in the development of Nursing Managers.

Performs other work duties as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in nursing Required; Master’s degree of relevant subject area such as Nursing, Business, Management, or Healthcare Administration is required. 

Current licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse in the State of Missouri.

Minimum of five (5) years of progressive nursing experience, including at least two (2) years in a formal leadership or management role within Emergency Services or a high-acuity clinical environment. 

Prior experience as a Director or Nurse Manager in Emergency Services is strongly preferred, with demonstrated success in leading high-performing teams in alignment with nursing excellence.

Proven ability to lead interdisciplinary teams using evidence-based strategies, with a strong focus on shared governance, quality outcomes, clinical innovation, and professional accountability.

Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, with a demonstrated history of collaboration with frontline nurses, physicians, and executive leaders to drive strategic goals and foster a culture of nursing empowerment and excellence.

Demonstrated clinical and operational expertise in emergency nursing, including oversight of triage protocols, trauma response, throughput optimization, and patient safety initiatives.

Active membership in a professional nursing organization (e.g., ENA, ANA) is recommended, reflecting a commitment to lifelong learning, professional advancement, and contribution to the nursing profession’s body of knowledge.