Unit Director, Medical-Surgical ICU
MEDICAL/SURGICAL INTENSVE CARE Job Summary Reporting to the Nursing Director, the Unit Director of the Intensive Care Unit for UCSF Community Hospitals holds 24-hour responsibility for nursing and operational leadership across two ICU campuses, with oversight of a Coronary Care Unit (CCU) that is not currently in use. The director ensures safe, high quality, equitable critical care; manages capacity, acuity based staffing, and inter-unit transfers; and maintains continuous readiness for CMS and TJC standards. Core accountabilities include operational planning and direction, financial performance, performance improvement, human resources (hiring, onboarding, scheduling, competency), evaluation of care, patient and family experience and service recovery, and partnership with ancillary departments to remove barriers. The director also maintains CCU readiness (policies, equipment, staffing contingency, and activation plans) to support surge or future service reactivation.
Equally vital, this leader builds a culture of psychological safety and engagement: modeling Just Culture and trauma informed leadership; fostering respectful communication and inclusive teams; preventing and responding to workplace violence; and creating reliable channels for voice, feedback, and recognition. The director coaches and develops staff and charge RNs/assistant nurse managers, supports certification and career pathways, and routinely rounds to listen, learn, and close the loop. They collaborate across UCSF Health Adult Services, represent the organization with UCSF Health Hyde and Stanyan community hospitals and community agencies, and contribute to advancing True North priorities in Safety, Quality, Patient Experience, People, Equity, Financial Stewardship, and Growth and Innovation. The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy. Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement. The salary range for this position is $253,900 - $269,400 (Annual Rate). To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html Department Description The Medical Surgical Intensive Care Unit (MSICU) at UCSF Health Stanyan & Hyde s provides specialized, continuous care to critically ill adult patients with complex and life-threatening medical and surgical conditions. Serving as the primary intensive care service across the two that require advanced interventions, including hospitals, the MSICU manages high-acuity cases requiring advanced interventions such as mechanical ventilation, invasive monitoring, vasopressor support, and multisystem care.
The unit operates 24/7 and is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of board-certified intensivists, highly skilled critical care nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and allied health professionals. Care is coordinated through strong interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure timely, evidence-based, and compassionate care for a diverse patient population.
Palliative care is a key integrated service within the MSICU at both hospitals. The team partners closely with inpatient palliative care specialists to support patients and families facing serious illness, ensuring that care aligns with patient values, goals, and preferences. This collaboration emphasizes quality of life, symptom management, and respectful decision-making in complex clinical situations.
At UCSF Health Stanyan, the MSICU also provides critical support for the Cardiac Catheterization Lab. The unit serves as a primary recovery and monitoring site for patients undergoing emergent and elective cardiac interventions, including percutaneous coronary interventions and diagnostic catheterizations. This close partnership allows for seamless, high-quality care for patients with cardiovascular conditions.
Nurses in the MSICU are committed professionals who deliver exemplary care in a demanding environment. The unit culture prioritizes teamwork, mutual respect, and nurse-physician collaboration, which are essential to achieving high standards of safety and performance.
Ongoing professional development is actively supported through access to advanced critical care education, specialty certification, mentorship programs, and participation in regional and national conferences. Nurses stay abreast of current trends through continuous learning and engagement in best practices.
In addition to bedside care, MSICU team members contribute to hospital-wide quality improvement initiatives, nursing-led research, and community outreach programs-reflecting a shared commitment to advancing equitable, high-quality care across UCSF Health's community hospital network. Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing required
- National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification
- Registered Nurse in the State of California
- BLS by American Heart Association
- ACLS by American Heart Association
- Minimum of two (2) years of progressive and recent nursing administration and leadership as a nursing supervisor or manager level in an Intensive Care Unit in a medical center within the last five (5) years
- Strong hospital management experience, with progressive and in-depth expertise in patient care services
- Knowledge of hospital / clinic operations in a hospital or medical center setting; knowledge of appropriate professional standards for the department and team
- Strong knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements, as well as related legislative, accreditation, licensing and compliance environments
- Strong knowledge of relevant healthcare information technology and patient care workflows and processes
- Excellent communications and interpersonal skills to foster and promote an environment for effective communication and collaborative decision making across multiple units and disciplines
- Excellent leadership, fiscal and operations management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with physicians, management and staff from all disciplines
- Ability to create and maintain a goal-oriented climate of teamwork, collaboration and consistent achievement of objectives
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's Degree in Nursing or relevant area preferred
- ANCC RN specialty certification in Nurse Executive or Nurse Executive-Advanced
- AACN RN Specialty Certification in Critical Care Nursing (CCRN)
License/Certification
- Registered Nurse in the State of California
About UCSF At UCSF Health, our mission of innovative patient care, advanced technology and pioneering research is redefining what's possible for the patients we serve - a promise we share with the professionals who make up our team.
Consistently ranked among the top 10 hospitals nationwide by U.S. News & World Report - UCSF Health is committed to providing the most rewarding work experience while delivering the best care available anywhere. In an environment that allows for continuous learning and opportunities for professional growth, UCSF Health offers the ideal atmosphere in which to best use your skills and talents. Pride Values UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence - also known as our PRIDE values.
In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity - both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available at diversity.ucsf.edu
Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide. Equal Employment Opportunity The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law. Job Code and Payroll Title 006506 NURSE SVC MGR 2 Job Category Nursing - Adult Medical Surgical, Other Nursing, Professional and Managerial, Supervisory / Management Bargaining Unit 99 - Policy-Covered (No Bargaining Unit) Location San Francisco, CA |
University of California - San Francisco Campus and Health
Nov 04, 2025