The Operating Room Assistant Unit Director is responsible for managing, coordinating and monitoring the patient care delivery system with the Children’s Surgical unit. BCH Oakland Operating Unit consists of eleven inpatient and Outpatient operating rooms and three induction/procedural rooms, with multiple storage/utility areas. This position requires comprehensive experience and knowledge of surgical scheduling processes, managing the surgery schedule, and hands-on experience circulating and scrubbing surgical procedures.
This position also works closely with SPD, and Gastroenterology in the reprocessing of equipment and requires knowledge of sterility standards, MIFUs and appropriate storage areas for reprocessed instrumentation and equipment. Direct reports include registered nurses, surgical technicians, and equipment technicians. The OR Assistant Unit Director reports directly to the Oakland Perioperative Unit Director.
This position requires collaboration with multiple interdisciplinary teams throughout the health system to proactively manage patient throughput and provide Perioperative efficiency, while concurrently maintaining patient safety, patient experience, and quality standards. UCSF Health Perioperative services include all operating rooms sites at Moffitt Long, Mt. Zion, Mission Bay Adult & Pediatrics, Oakland Children’s Hospital, outpatient surgery centers and affiliate locations.
Responsibilities Act as a clinical resource for nursing staff on patient care issues, new policies, and technology. Promote a positive patient experience and lead service‑recovery efforts as needed. Supervise and coordinate department operations, manage scheduling based on census and acuity, and ensure regulatory compliance.
Monitor support‑department services and collaborate to improve utilization and efficiency. Evaluate staff performance and participate in hiring, salary actions, terminations, and orientation. Foster a climate of effective teamwork, communication, and collaboration across the unit.
Support staff professional development using performance‑evaluation tools and improvement strategies. Educate staff on cost‑containment strategies and maintain unit expenses within budget. Communicate regularly with management regarding unit activities, operational, and HR issues.
Coordinate admissions, transfers, and discharges with physicians and other healthcare team members. % of time Essential Function (Yes/No ) Key Responsibilities (To be completed by Supervisor) 20% Y Serves as a resource to nursing staff on patient care clinical issues, new policies, and technology. Keeps staff informed of changes in policies, procedures and external regulations. 10% Y Promotes a positive patient experience through service recovery as needed, across the nursing unit. 10% Y Supervises and coordinates the department operations, resolves system issues, advises on work methods, manages scheduling based on patient census and acuity and ensures compliance with internal procedures and external regulations. 10% Y Monitors services provided by support departments and collaborates to improve utilization and efficiency. 10% Y Evaluates subordinate staff and participates in decision-making on hiring, salary actions, terminations, performance ratings, and other human resources matters.
Orients new employees to nursing responsibilities within the practice. 10% Y Promotes a climate of effective teamwork, communication and collaboration. 10% Y Encourages and assists staff in meeting professional goals. Using standard practice evaluation tools to identify areas for growth. Consults with nurse leaders and educators on developing strategies for performance improvement. 5% Understands unit financial goals and educates staff of cost-containment strategies.
Maintains unit expenses within budget. 5% Communicates regularly with management on unit activities and on pertinent operational or human resources issues. 5% Involves physicians, staff, and other healthcare team members in the development of a plan to manage admissions, transfers, and discharges. Responds to community or health system partners to facilitate delivery of patient care services. 100% Required
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing A minimum of 5 years perioperative clinical experience in a hospital setting A minimum of 3–5 years previous management experience in a hospital-based perioperative setting Demonstrated skills to effectively supervise clinicians and to manage the complex workflow and multiple priorities involved with a patient care unit In depth knowledge of ORN Guidelines, ASPAN clinical standards and care delivery, systems, external regulations and internal policies.
Strong knowledge of human resources management policies, with the ability to train, monitor, evaluate, and document human resources matters and employee performance. Provides input to decision-makers on human resources matters. Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to quickly analyze problems, determine appropriate level of intervention, and develop and apply effective solutions.
Strong interpersonal skills for effective information exchange and problem solving with all levels of management and staff, consultants and outside agencies Strong written and verbal communications skills, with the ability to train and mentor subordinates, to convey complex clinical and technical information in a clear and concise manner. Prepares and presents a variety of reports, documentation, analyses, and project proposals.
Assures successful implementation of organizational strategies like Hospital Efficiency, Work Place Safety, Supply Cost Initiative Knowledge of business software and specialized applications and data management systems used in nursing units or departments.
Hospital-based perioperative leadership experience Certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in related practice area or CPAN, CCRN, CSSM or CNOR certification Required Licenses/Certifications: Registered Nurse in the State of California Active American Heart Association BLS Active American Heart Association PALS Active American Heart Association ACLS
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