Director of Nursing - Emergency Services & Critical Care
Company : Prime Healthcare Services
Location : La Palma, CA, 90623
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 1 January 2026
Overview
Join an award-winning team of dedicated professionals committed to our core values of quality, compassion and community! La Palma Intercommunity Hospital, a member of Prime Healthcare, offers incredible opportunities to expand your horizons and be part of a community dedicated to making a difference.
Founded in 1972, La Palma Intercommunity Hospital is a 141-bed acute-care community hospital and the only hospital in La Palma. Our highly qualified team is committed to providing outstanding service in a safe, comfortable, and caring environment. Patients treated at La Palma Intercommunity Hospital benefit from the expertise of a large hospital system in a smaller, more personal setting. For more information visit www.lapalmaintercommunityhospital.com.
Responsibilities
The Director of ER /ICU is a Registered Nurse who assumes 24-hour administrative responsibility for the management of all critical care nursing service functions. Supervises, assesses, plans, implements and evaluates the delivery of patient care. Develops and implements departmental plans, including performance improvement activities and compliance with current regulations. The Director assumes 24-hour accountability for the departments. Supervises and evaluates all personnel assigned to the unit and effectively utilizes nursing personnel, time responsibilities for the unit and is directly accountable to the CNO or Administrator. Consults and communicates with staff, physicians and administration both written and verbally on nursing issues and interpretation of hospital policies to ensure patient needs are met. Assumes house supervisory responsibilities as assigned, including responding to codes throughout the hospital, assessing and charting, and following through with appropriate documentation. Oversees the provision of patient care for pediatric, adolescent, adult and older adult patients. Interacts with outside agencies, patients and patients' families/significant other(s) to provide comprehensive care. Provides triage and treatment to pediatric, adult and geriatric patients seeking emergency care.
Qualifications
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, TRAINING
1. Current and valid state license as a Registered Nurse.2. Current BLS certificate upon hire and maintain current.3. Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certificate upon hire and maintain current.4. Current PALS upon hire and maintain current.5. Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) preferred.6. A minimum of two years supervisory/management experience necessary.7. Minimum of three years of continuous clinical experience in a clinical/acute care setting preferred.8. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required for all new hires after 1/11/2021.
Pay Transparency
La Palma Intercommunity Hospital offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package that provides employees the flexibility to tailor benefits according to their individual needs. Our Total Rewards package includes, but is not limited to, paid time off, a 401K retirement plan, medical, dental, and vision coverage, tuition reimbursement, and many more voluntary benefit options. Benefits may vary based on employment status, i.e. full-time, part-time, per diem or temporary. A reasonable compensation estimate for this role, which includes estimated wages, benefits, and other forms of compensation, is $109,428.80 to $147,284.80 on an annualized basis. The exact starting compensation to be offered will be determined at the time of selecting an applicant for hire, in which a wide range of factors will be considered, including but not limited to, skillset, years of applicable experience, education, credentials and licensure.
Employment Status
Full TimeShift
DaysEqual Employment Opportunity
Company is an equal employment opportunity employer. Company prohibits discrimination against any applicant or employee based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (subject to applicable law), disability, military status, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. The Company also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. Know Your Rights: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/EEOC_KnowYourRights_screen_reader_10_20.pdf
Privacy Notice
Privacy Notice for California Applicants: https://www.primehealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Notice-at-Collection-and-Privacy-Policy-for-California-Job-Applicants.pdf
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Frequently asked questions
Directing critical care nursing requires balancing rapid decision-making with compassionate team management. The Director of Nursing in Emergency Services must excel in coordinating multidisciplinary teams, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations, and optimizing patient outcomes in high-pressure environments like ER and ICU.
Beyond a valid RN license, certifications like ACLS, PALS, and preferably Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) are highly regarded. These credentials demonstrate proficiency in life-saving protocols and emergency care management, crucial for leading nursing teams in acute care settings.
Many Directors progress to senior hospital administration, healthcare system leadership, or specialize in policy-making roles. This position offers a strategic vantage point, blending clinical expertise with operational oversight, paving the way for executive roles in healthcare management.
Salaries generally range from $109,000 to $147,000 annually, reflecting experience, certifications, and education level. La Palma’s competitive healthcare market and local cost of living influence these figures, with comprehensive benefits often complementing the base pay.
Prime Healthcare Services invests in continuous professional development, offering tailored training programs that enhance leadership skills and clinical competencies. This supports Directors in staying current with emergency care innovations and regulatory standards.
The role emphasizes quality, compassion, and community engagement, mirroring Prime Healthcare's mission. Directors lead nursing teams committed to personalized patient care within a supportive environment, embodying the company’s dedication to impactful healthcare delivery.
La Palma’s healthcare sector maintains steady demand for experienced emergency nursing leaders due to its unique position as the area’s sole hospital. Candidates with strong leadership backgrounds and critical care expertise find favorable opportunities amid moderate regional competition.
Directors often navigate diverse patient populations and high acuity cases, compounded by state regulatory nuances. Southern California's healthcare environment demands adaptability, cultural competence, and robust crisis management skills to effectively lead emergency services.
Unlike standard nurse managers, this Director oversees 24-hour operations, crisis response including code management, and cross-departmental coordination. They carry comprehensive accountability for patient care quality, staff performance, and compliance in complex emergency and critical care units.
Possessing a BSN, advanced certifications like ACLS and PALS, plus solid management experience in acute care are key. Demonstrated leadership under pressure and a commitment to continuous quality improvement markedly enhance suitability for this role.