JobsAdvocate Health

Dir ED ICU & Nursing Ops

Advocate Health · Elgin, IL

Posted Aug 31, 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 fix a capacity or staffing problem across the ED and ICU at the same time. What did you actually do first?

whether the candidate can prioritize under competing unit demands rather than just describe theory

Tell me about a time you used the Just Culture framework to handle an error or safety event. How did you balance accountability with a non-punitive approach?

whether they can actually apply Just Culture rather than just name-drop it

Give me an example of a time a physician was unhappy with how a unit was operating. How did you handle that relationship?

credibility and composure in physician-hospital liaison situations, a named responsibility in this job

Tell me about a leader you developed who wasn't performing well when they started. What did you do and how did it turn out?

coaching and performance management skill for direct reports, since this role hires and evaluates managers

Describe a time you had to bring an evidence-based practice change into a unit that was resistant to changing how they'd always done things.

ability to drive practice standardization and shared governance, not just mandate it from the top

Technical

Walk me through how you'd set up a Clinical Resource Unit and staffing model for 24-hour coverage across ED, ICU, and med-surg units here at Sherman.

real operational knowledge of float pools, agency contracts, and variance reporting, not just familiarity with the term

How do you decide when a quality or performance improvement issue needs to go through a formal PI initiative versus a quick unit-level fix?

judgment about scale and regulatory exposure, since this role answers to DNV, IDPH, CDC, and OSHA standards

How would you build a capital equipment request and justify it to Finance, including how you'd think about return on investment?

comfort with capital budgeting and cost-benefit analysis, an explicit requirement here

What's your experience negotiating or terminating agency staffing contracts, and how did you decide when it was worth it versus not?

direct experience with vendor management and cost control specific to nurse staffing

Situational

Say you're three months into the fiscal year and your operating budget is running over because of agency nursing spend. What do you do?

financial fluency and whether they can act on variance data instead of just reporting it

If your ICU census spikes and you're also short two RNs on nights, and the CNE is asking for a plan in an hour, what do you tell them?

ability to make fast, defensible staffing decisions under real time pressure with limited information

One of your unit managers is consistently missing productivity targets but their patient satisfaction scores are excellent. How do you handle that conversation and the underlying problem?

whether they can balance competing performance metrics instead of optimizing for just one

Tell me about a time your hospital's strategic goals didn't match what a specific unit actually needed. How did you reconcile that?

ability to translate system-level strategy into unit-level execution without losing either

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 34000 Advocate Sherman Hospital - Administration: Nursing Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 40 Schedule Details/Additional Information: n/a Pay Range: $68.20 - $102.30 Major Responsibilities: Responsible for organizing, planning and directing the clinical and administrative operations within areas of accountability in accordance with the AdvocateAurora vision and mission as well as in compliance with standards required by accreditation agencies. Responsible for the development, direction and outcome achievement for the safety, quality and service performance in areas of responsibility 1)Promotes patient safety by proactively creating a culture of safety within areas of accountability. Facilitates reporting of issues through established channels and participates as requested in safety initiatives. Coaches and mentors leaders to utilize the Just Culture Decision Guide effectively. 2)Monitors department productivity levels and work functions to ensure proper match between care requirements of the patients and the skill and competency of the staff delivering the care. Ensures the development of associate's clinical and interpersonal competency within the department. 3)Collaborates with direct reports and clinical associates to develop annual division, unit-based and individual goals as well as to develop, deploy and enculturate standard work and analysis designed to achieve set goals. 4)Achieves and sustains top tier performance in key results areas. Leads and mentors direct reports to regularly analyze results and develop tactics to ensure that the desired outcomes and standards of care are achieved and sustained. 5)Ensures a comprehensive and integrated quality assurance/improvement program is in place and that an environment of minimal risk to the patient exists. 6)Facilitates and oversees performance improvement initiatives for areas of responsibility to assure adherence to corporate standards and regulatory requirements. 7)Mentors division leadership, clinical associates and interdisciplinary colleagues to ensure adherence to principles of shared governance and compliance with other accrediting and regulatory agencies. 8)Actively promotes evidence-based practice and nursing research initiatives in areas of accountability. Monitors changes in national clinical practice standards and ensures timely adoption in areas of accountability. 9)Develops, deploys and enculturates policies, procedures and standards which follow quality management, DNV, IDPH, CDC, OSHA, (etc.) guidelines and assures effective and efficient operations. 10)Shares in the on-call Administrative functions of the hospital In collaboration with unit based leadership directs and provides strategic planning and comprehensive oversight of capacity management including Clinical Resource Unit and 24-hour staffing of patient care areas. Provides guidance and direction to direct reports in the management and evaluation of operations/services to ensure safety, quality and cost effectiveness. Responsible for the development, direction and outcome achievement for the fiscal performance in areas of responsibility and for influencing the fiscal performance of the nursing division as a whole. 1)Collaborates with the CNE and VP of Finance to develop and maintain the operational, strategic and capital budgets in conjunction with the clinical managers and directors. 2)Provides guidance for short and long term staffing planning. Assits with analysis followed by development of a plan to meet the needs of the patient care units in conjunction with direct reports and managers/directors of other clinical units. 3)Directs the Clinical Resource Unit. In collaboration with the CNE and HR as well as with unit based leadership negotiates, evaluates and terminates hospital specific agency contracts. 4)Oversees and directs the creation and dissemination of staffing reports to all clinical directors and clinical managers. Performs monthly variance reporting and assures variances are addressed and rectified. 5)Monitors financial and staff productivity indicators, provides analysis, and recommends options for optimization. Pursues and implements cost saving initiatives identified by the site. 6)Facilitates education to nursing leadership team regarding budgeting skills, operation budget management and variance avoidance. 7)Develops and maintains the operational, strategic and capital budgets in conjunction with the direct reports and other area managers and directors. Works with managers and directors to anticipate new and replacement capital equipment needs. 8)Identifies profit/loss areas and develops action plans. Performs cost benefit analysis on new technology requests working closely with Finance pre and post purchase to assure return on investment. Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with department managers/directors, physicians, clinical associates, interdisciplinary colleagues, system-wide contacts and related external contacts in order to meet program objectives. 1)Cultivates relationships with key constituencies within the department and across the enterprise. 2)Communicates effectively with leaders, associates, patients and families as well as with physicians. 3)Monitors and assesses the needs of the medical staff as customers of the institution as it relates to patient care. Ensures clinical leaders round regularly on key physicians and implement follow-through on their issues. Acts as a liaison between physicians and other hospital departments to facilitate problem resolution. 4)Evaluates and develops leadership accountability for associate performance in areas of accountability. Encourages recognition of high performers, addresses low performers and improves overall associate performance. 5)Reviews, recommends and restructures the job requirements, pay practices and working conditions of associates in order to foster job satisfaction, maintain a high level of associate engagement and retention and meet staffing objectives. 6)Establishes and supports a positive, collaborative, engaged workforce able to meet deadlines, customer needs and fluctuating workloads. Evaluates existing programs and services or develops new programs and services in conjunction with the medical staff to meet the identified needs of key patient populations within the mission, vision and overall strategic plan of the organization. 1)Cultivates relationships with key stakeholders within the internal and external communities to determine health care needs and develops partnerships to address those needs. 2)Analyzes information and develops and implements strategic planning in collaboration with chairmen, medical directors and others. Leads strategic planning, marketing and new program development efforts which include ongoing collaboration with hospital and corporate leadership and other key stakeholders. 3)Investigates, researches and recommends for implementation new methods of patient care delivery spanning the continuum of care. 4)Collaborates with Nursing leadership to identify teams or other strategies to achieve strategic goals. 5)Represents Sherman Hospital in system-wide meetings. 6)Monitors strategic service growth targets Actively supports professional and personal growth and development of self and direct reports. 1)Interviews, hires, develops and evaluates managers and other personnel. 2)Establishes an environment of continuous learning. Keeps abreast of current standards of care, standards of practice and standards of regulatory bodies. 3)Endorses wage increases, promotions, disciplinary action and termination of personnel consistent with hospital policies and procedures. 4)Ensures that a program for orientation, on-the-job training and continuing education is coordinated with other departments. Oversees college or university programs which may use the hospitals clinical facilities. 5)Utilizes organizational structure to foster teamwork and enable employees to work together toward common objectives consistent with the mission of the hospital. 6)Participates in activities to enhance professional growth and development by involvement in professional and/or community organizations and continuing education and encourages the same among leadership team and clinical staff. 7)Maintains certification and increases certification in areas of responsibility. 8)Promotes the highest moral and ethical standards by serving as a role model. Licensure: Nurse, Registered (RN) Education/Experience Required: Master's degree required. Bachelor's degree in Nursing 5+ years of leadership experience Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: Strong PC skills including Excel and ability to use. Business development, financial, and strategic planning skills Effective use of multiple data bases Business or financial experience preferred RN license Physicial Requirements and Working Conditions: Ability to meet flexible work hours Ability to work within a rapid changing environment Ability to work collaboratively with internal /external customers Ability to prioritize and respond to multiple simultaneous requests 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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