JobsAdvocate Health

Clinical Nurse Manager Ortho/Med Surg

Advocate Health · Barrington, IL

Posted Aug 26, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

Behavioral

Tell me about a time you had to adjust your staffing plan because of a sudden change in patient volume or acuity.

practical experience matching staffing to patient needs rather than following a rigid template

Describe a situation where you had to discipline or coach an employee whose performance was affecting patient care.

willingness and skill in handling hard personnel conversations without avoiding conflict

Tell me about a quality improvement project you led or were closely involved in, from identifying the problem to seeing the result.

whether they can actually run the CQI cycle, not just talk about wanting better outcomes

How have you supported a new staff member's orientation on an ortho or med surg floor, working alongside a CNS or educator?

understanding of their role in staff development versus delegating it entirely

Tell me about a time you had to terminate an employee. What was that process like for you and how did you prepare for it?

comfort with the harder people-management responsibilities and following proper process with HR and the clinical director

How do you keep morale up on a unit that's dealing with frequent change, whether that's leadership changes, new protocols, or high patient turnover?

ability to model stability and support staff through disruption, not just manage tasks

Technical

How do you determine your operating expense budget for a unit like this, and what do you do when you're running over?

real familiarity with unit-level budget mechanics, not just awareness that budgets exist

What's your process for reviewing policies and procedures to make sure your unit stays compliant with OSHA and accrediting body requirements?

concrete knowledge of regulatory upkeep versus vague reassurance about compliance

What clinical competencies do you look for specifically when evaluating staff on an orthopedic and med surg unit, and how do you assess them?

depth of actual clinical knowledge relevant to ortho and med surg, not generic management language

Situational

Walk me through how you'd staff a 24-hour ortho and med surg unit when patient acuity spikes and you're already tight on budget.

whether the candidate can balance safe staffing against financial constraints in real time

A physician on the ortho service line disagrees with a care coordination decision your staff made. How do you handle that conversation?

ability to manage physician relationships and defend staff decisions without escalating conflict

If overtime on your unit started climbing month over month, what steps would you take to figure out why and bring it back down?

analytical approach to productivity data and willingness to address root causes rather than symptoms

Two departments need the same piece of equipment or resource at the same time and it's affecting patient flow. How do you resolve that?

cross-department coordination skills and pragmatic problem solving under pressure

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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 35838 Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital - Med Surg: IU 3 North Orthopedics Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 40 Schedule Details/Additional Information: 24 hour accountability Pay Range: $51.05 - $76.60 Clinical Nurse Manager Ortho/Med Surg and Observation Good Shepherd Hospital Major Responsibilities: Develops, implements & evaluates standards of nursing practice to assure quality care. 1)Maintains efficient & effective departmental operations 2)Ensures that work schedule is planned, implemented & monitored according to policy 3)Ensures the availability of necessary supplies & equipment 4)Facilitates smooth coordination of department services with other departments 5)Participates in case management activities to facilitate quality patient outcomes 6)Collaborates with care coordinators & team members to identify & resolve issues that affect patients and the care team. 7)Identifies internal and external customers needs& ensures provision of services to meet those needs Preparation, administration & monitoring of departmental budget to ensure personnel, facilities & materials are at desired level 1)Determines appropriate operating expense budget 2)Monitors expenses 3)Adjusts staffing to meet budget requirements 4)Monitors productivity of staff to assure budgetary compliance 5)Gives input into capital requests for the Division 6)Assists in evaluation of products that would affect budget and/or clinical staff Provides safe environment for patients and staff. 1)Monitors & assesses department safety 2)Reviews policy & procedures for clinical competency 3)Maintains infection control, regulatory, OSHA & Accrediting Organization guidelines Develops staffing plans & schedules to ensure appropriate staffing. 1)interviews & hires new staff 2)assess acuity & complexity of patients to determine appropriate staffing levels 3)monitors productivity & overtime Participates in the development of staff in order to assure competency. 1)Collaborates with CNS/educator in providing orientation of new staff 2)Conducts timely performance evaluations 3)Provides coaching, counseling & disciplinary actions as appropriate 4)Terminates employees with approval of Clinical Director & HR 5)Determines need for in-service/education for appropriate staff development 6)Holds appropriate staff meetings to disseminate information/assures information 7)Acts as role model for staff behaviors 8)Promotes critical thinking skills in staff by acting as a resource & mentor Fosters team building, peer support & respect 1)Collaborates with physicians , staff & other health team members to assure delivery of quality care 2)Fosters an atmosphere of empowerment 3)Supports effective decision making 4)Supports staff through change by role model behaviors 5)Participates in programs that have impact on morale, image, & working conditions 6)Pariticipates in the Orthopedic Service Line to enhance the quality of care provided to patients. Promotes Continuous Quality Improvement 1)Identifies projects 2)Collects appropriate data 3)Develops corrective action 4)Actively promotes and involves staff in CQI process Maintains personal & professional grown & development 1)Develops goals for educational development with input from Clinical Director 2)Attends workshops, seminars & professional organizational meetings both internally & externally to stay abreast of current clinical & managerial issues. Licensure: Nurse, Registered (RN) Education/Experience Required: BSN preferred or BS in related health care field (Master’s preferred) 2 years progressive management experience 4+ years appropriate clinical skills Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: Appropriate clinical skills Basic management Good communication skills Team building skills Basic computer knowledge Current licensure in state of Illinois CPR Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with established time constraints Resiliency & flexibility to deal with a changing environment Ability to work weekend, etc to meet departmental needs Ability to travel (local) May be exposed to hazardous & life-threatening diseases. This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties. Our Commitment to You: Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including: Compensation • Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training • Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job • Incentive pay for select positions • Opportunity for annual increases based on performance Benefits and more • Paid Time Off programs • Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability • Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses • Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave • Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs • Educational Assistance Program Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview. About Advocate Health  Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.

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