We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Director of Nursing (DON) to lead clinical operations in a fast-paced Ambulatory Surgery Center with a strong focus on orthopedic procedures.
Posted Sep 29
Unit and setting
Ambulatory Surgery Center · Ambulatory Surgery The DON will play a critical role in optimizing surgical workflows, particularly in orthopedic cases, including joint procedures, sports medicine, and pain management procedures.Orthopedic surgery patients including joint procedures, sports medicine, and pain management
License
RN license Active RN license in California required
5+ years of perioperative nursing experience with strong OR backgroundMinimum 5+ years of perioperative nursing experience with strong OR background required
Experience
3-5 years of leadership experience in surgical services or ASC settingMinimum 3-5 years of leadership experience in surgical services or ASC setting
Also asks
Strong knowledge of OR workflows, sterile technique, and surgical instrumentation
Significant orthopedic surgery experience (e.g., total joints, sports medicine, spine)Significant orthopedic surgery experience preferred (e.g., total joints, sports medicine, spine)
Experience
Experience managing high-volume orthopedic cases in an ASC setting
Experience
Experience with implant systems, vendor coordination, and cost containment
Also asks
Proven success improving OR efficiency metrics (turnover times, block utilization)
Also asks
Electronic Medical Record experience; EPIC experience preferred
Top of California staff payCalifornia staff postings that state pay run $71k/yr to $199k/yr, the middle half $94k/yr to $152k/yr, across 3,850 postings.
Benefits
BenefitsCompetitive salaryCompetitive salary
BenefitsComprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision)Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision)
BenefitsEmployer Sponsored Life & AD&D Insurance and Long-Term Disability PlanEmployer Sponsored Life & AD&D Insurance and Long-Term Disability Plan
BenefitsVarious Time Off Banks, including 7 paid holidaysVarious Time Off Banks, including 7 paid holidays
BenefitsContinuing education and certification supportContinuing education and certification support
Medical benefits
More benefits (6)
Dental benefits
Vision benefits
Life & AD&D Insurance
Long-Term Disability Plan
Paid time off
7 paid holidays
The role and schedule
Charting
EPICElectronic Medical Record experience; EPIC experience preferred
Day to day
Direct oversight of OR operationsProvide direct oversight of OR operations, ensuring efficient case flow, on-time starts, and turnover optimization.
Day to day
Clinical subject matter expert for orthopedic surgical servicesServe as the clinical subject matter expert for orthopedic surgical services, including instrumentation, implants, and case coordination.
Day to day
Collaborate with surgeons for procedural efficiency and preference standardizationCollaborate closely with surgeons to support procedural efficiency and preference standardization.
Day to day
Ensure appropriate staffing, competencies, and training for orthopedic proceduresEnsure appropriate staffing, competencies, and training specific to orthopedic procedures.
Day to day
Sterile processing oversight and proper handling of orthopedic instrumentation and implantsKnowledge of sterile processing and ensure proper handling of orthopedic instrumentation and implants.
Unit
Pre-op, OR, PACU, Sterile Processing, and Front OfficeLead all perioperative areas: Pre-op, OR, PACU, and Sterile Processing; including Front Office.
Day to day
Lead all perioperative areas including Front Office
Day to day
Drive process improvements to enhance surgical throughput and patient safetyDrive process improvements to enhance surgical throughput and patient safety.
Day to day
Monitor clinical quality metrics including infection prevention and surgical outcomesMonitor clinical quality metrics, including infection prevention and surgical outcomes.
Day to day
Implement evidence-based practices specific to orthopedic careImplement evidence-based practices specific to orthopedic care.
Day to day
Ensure compliance with CMS, AAAHC, and state regulationsEnsure compliance with CMS, AAAHC, and state regulations.
Day to day
Lead quality assurance, infection control, and performance improvement initiativesLead quality assurance, infection control, and performance improvement initiatives with a focus on surgical excellence.
Day to day
Maintain survey readiness and oversee accreditation processesMaintain survey readiness and oversee accreditation processes.
Day to day
Recruit, train, and develop perioperative nursing teamRecruit, train, and develop a high-performing perioperative nursing team.
Day to day
Maintain education and competency programs for staffMaintain education and competency programs for all staff.
Day to day
Promote culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvementPromote a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
Day to day
Build relationships with orthopedic surgeons and anesthesia providersBuild strong relationships with orthopedic surgeons and anesthesia providers.
Day to day
Participate in budgeting, case costing, implant management, and vendor relationsParticipate in budgeting, case costing, implant management, and vendor relations.
Day to day
Support growth of orthopedic service lines and efficiency initiativesSupport growth of orthopedic service lines and efficiency initiatives.
We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Director of Nursing (DON) to lead clinical operations in a fast-paced Ambulatory Surgery Center with a strong focus on orthopedic procedures. This role requires a hands-on leader with Operating Room (OR) expertise, capable of overseeing all perioperative services while ensuring exceptional patient outcomes, physician satisfaction, and operational efficiency.
The DON will play a critical role in optimizing surgical workflows, particularly in orthopedic cases, including joint procedures, sports medicine, and pain management procedures.
Responsibilities
Operating Room Leadership
Provide direct oversight of OR operations, ensuring efficient case flow, on-time starts, and turnover optimization.
Serve as the clinical subject matter expert for orthopedic surgical services, including instrumentation, implants, and case coordination.
Collaborate closely with surgeons to support procedural efficiency and preference standardization.
Ensure appropriate staffing, competencies, and training specific to orthopedic procedures.
Knowledge of sterile processing and ensure proper handling of orthopedic instrumentation and implants.
Clinical Operations
Lead all perioperative areas: Pre-op, OR, PACU, and Sterile Processing; including Front Office.
Drive process improvements to enhance surgical throughput and patient safety.
Monitor clinical quality metrics, including infection prevention and surgical outcomes.
Implement evidence-based practices specific to orthopedic care.
Regulatory Compliance & Quality
Ensure compliance with CMS, AAAHC, and state regulations.
Lead quality assurance, infection control, and performance improvement initiatives with a focus on surgical excellence.
Maintain survey readiness and oversee accreditation processes.
Staff Leadership & Development
Recruit, train, and develop a high-performing perioperative nursing team.
Maintain education and competency programs for all staff.
Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
Physician Partnership & Business Operations
Build strong relationships with orthopedic surgeons and anesthesia providers.
Participate in budgeting, case costing, implant management, and vendor relations.
Support growth of orthopedic service lines and efficiency initiatives.
Qualifications
BSN required
Active RN license in California required
Minimum 5+ years of perioperative nursing experience with strong OR background required
Minimum 3–5 years of leadership experience in surgical services or ASC setting
Strong knowledge of OR workflows, sterile technique, and surgical instrumentation
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
Current BLS, ACLS required
Preferred Qualifications
CNOR certification strongly preferred
Significant orthopedic surgery experience preferred (e.g., total joints, sports medicine, spine)
Experience managing high-volume orthopedic cases in an ASC setting
Experience with implant systems, vendor coordination, and cost containment
Proven success improving OR efficiency metrics (turnover times, block utilization)
Electronic Medical Record experience; EPIC experience preferred
Skills
Expertise in Operating Room operations
Strong orthopedic clinical knowledge
Leadership and team development
Physician relationship management
Operational and regulatory excellence
Benefits
Competitive salary
Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision)
Employer Sponsored Life & AD&D Insurance and Long-Term Disability Plan
Neighborhoods+Young professionals and healthcare workers frequently look at walkable Downtown and Centennial for apartment living near transit, dining, and the Caltrain station. Established neighborhoods like Woodside Plaza offer mid-century single-family homes with a quieter, community-oriented feel, while Farm Hill and Emerald Hills provide lower-density, upscale hillside living with scenic views. Across Highway 101, Redwood Shores serves as a distinct, master-planned waterfront community characterized by lagoons, modern townhomes, and a peaceful suburban atmosphere.
Young professionals and healthcare workers frequently look at walkable Downtown and Centennial for apartment living near transit, dining, and the Caltrain station. Established neighborhoods like Woodside Plaza offer mid-century single-family homes with a quieter, community-oriented feel, while Farm Hill and Emerald Hills provide lower-density, upscale hillside living with scenic views.
Across Highway 101, Redwood Shores serves as a distinct, master-planned waterfront community characterized by lagoons, modern townhomes, and a peaceful suburban atmosphere.
Getting around+Redwood City sits centrally on the Peninsula along Highway 101 and El Camino Real, located roughly six miles from Stanford University and its associated medical facilities, with San Francisco roughly 25 to 27 miles north and San Jose about 24 to 27 miles south. Downtown Redwood City is a major transit node where all electrified Caltrain trains stop, running every 15 to 20 minutes during weekday rush hours and every 30 minutes on weekends. Local SamTrans bus routes connect the downtown station with Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and San Francisco International Airport, though rail transit is limited to Caltrain as BART does not serve the city directly. While the downtown core supports car-free living, outer neighborhoods remain car-dependent, and cyclists face limited crossing infrastructure along Highway 101.
Redwood City sits centrally on the Peninsula along Highway 101 and El Camino Real, located roughly six miles from Stanford University and its associated medical facilities, with San Francisco roughly 25 to 27 miles north and San Jose about 24 to 27 miles south. Downtown Redwood City is a major transit node where all electrified Caltrain trains stop, running every 15 to 20 minutes during weekday rush hours and every 30 minutes on weekends.
Local SamTrans bus routes connect the downtown station with Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and San Francisco International Airport, though rail transit is limited to Caltrain as BART does not serve the city directly. While the downtown core supports car-free living, outer neighborhoods remain car-dependent, and cyclists face limited crossing infrastructure along Highway 101.
Outdoors+Nature access is highlighted by the 467-acre Edgewood Park & Natural Preserve, which features wooded trails, panoramic Bay Area ridge views, and prominent springtime wildflower blooms. Hiking enthusiasts also frequent nearby Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve and the architectural grounds of the Pulgas Water Temple. To the east, Redwood Shores and the Bair Island Ecological Reserve offer flat bayfront trails and boardwalks through tidal marshes for birdwatching, running, and water access for kayaking and paddleboarding, while Red Morton Community Park provides central athletic fields and open lawns.
Nature access is highlighted by the 467-acre Edgewood Park & Natural Preserve, which features wooded trails, panoramic Bay Area ridge views, and prominent springtime wildflower blooms. Hiking enthusiasts also frequent nearby Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve and the architectural grounds of the Pulgas Water Temple.
To the east, Redwood Shores and the Bair Island Ecological Reserve offer flat bayfront trails and boardwalks through tidal marshes for birdwatching, running, and water access for kayaking and paddleboarding, while Red Morton Community Park provides central athletic fields and open lawns.
Check the commute at your shift’s start and end, upfront housing costs, and whether moving assistance must be repaid if you leave.
Living in Redwood City
Redwood City stands out on the San Francisco Peninsula for its blend of civic energy, transit connectivity, and exceptional Mediterranean weather—celebrated by its historic motto, 'Climate Best by Government Test.' Situated roughly midway between San Francisco and San Jose, and just six miles north of Stanford's major medical facilities, the city offers healthcare workers practical regional commute options. Its revitalized downtown around Courthouse Square and the Fox Theatre operates as an active hub filled with heated outdoor patios, local taquerias, and a Caltrain station where electrified trains stop every 15 to 20 minutes during weekday rush hours. Housing choices adapt to different lifestyles, from walkable apartments near Broadway to family-friendly bungalows in Woodside Plaza, hillside retreats in Farm Hill, and waterfront townhomes in Redwood Shores. Nature is right at hand, whether hiking among spring wildflowers in Edgewood Park or paddling through Bair Island. While Peninsula housing competition and Highway 101 bottlenecks require realistic planning, Redwood City provides nurses an engaging, sun-drenched home base with distinct community character.
