Nurse Manager – Medical-Surgical Unit
Northern Pines Medical Center
Bangor, ME
The Nurse Manager – Medical-Surgical Unit is a licensed Registered Nurse responsible for the overall leadership, coordination, and management of nursing services on a 36‑bed adult medical-surgical unit at Northern Pines Medical Center in Bangor, Maine 04401.
This role ensures safe, high‑quality, patient‑centered care; supports a healthy work environment; oversees staffing and budgets; and ensures compliance with all regulatory and professional standards. The Nurse Manager collaborates closely with hospital leadership, physicians, advanced practice providers, and allied health professionals to deliver evidence‑based care to Bangor and the greater Penobscot County region.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Management
Provide visible, supportive leadership for all nursing and support staff on the medical-surgical unit.
Model professional behavior, accountability, and a culture of respect, safety, and inclusion.
Conduct regular staff meetings, daily huddles, and individual check‑ins to promote clear communication.
Participate in development and execution of nursing and hospital strategic goals.
Serve as the primary clinical and operational resource and role model for unit staff.
Clinical Operations & Patient Care
Ensure safe, high‑quality, culturally competent, and patient‑centered care consistent with current evidence‑based practice.
Oversee daily operations including patient flow, admissions, discharges, and transfers in collaboration with the hospital throughput team.
Monitor clinical outcomes, quality indicators, and patient satisfaction (e.g., HCAHPS scores) and implement action plans.
Support bedside nurses with complex clinical decision‑making and escalation of care.
Collaborate with hospitalists, surgeons, and other providers to develop, implement, and evaluate interdisciplinary care plans.
Ensure appropriate use, maintenance, and staff competency for unit equipment and technology.
Staff Management & Development
Recruit, interview, hire, and onboard qualified RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and unit support staff.
Develop and manage unit staffing plans and schedules to maintain safe nurse‑to‑patient ratios, including oversight of float and per diem staff.
Conduct performance evaluations, provide ongoing coaching and feedback, and implement corrective action when needed.
Identify staff learning needs and support orientation, competencies, annual skills fairs, and ongoing education.
Encourage professional growth, including specialty certification, charge nurse development, and advancement on clinical ladders.
Foster a just culture that encourages speaking up about safety concerns and near misses.
Quality, Safety & Compliance
Ensure compliance with all federal and state of Maine regulations and standards, including CMS, Joint Commission, OSHA, CDC, and Maine State Board of Nursing requirements.
Lead or actively participate in unit‑based and hospital‑wide quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.
Monitor and improve key indicators such as falls, pressure injuries, hospital‑acquired infections, readmissions, and medication safety.
Ensure accurate, timely documentation in the electronic health record (EHR) in accordance with hospital policies.
Participate in incident review, root cause analysis, and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
Budget & Resource Management
Assist in the development and management of the medical-surgical unit operating budget.
Monitor and manage labor costs, overtime, and staffing mix to remain within budget while maintaining safe care.
Oversee supply utilization, inventory control, and cost‑effective purchasing in collaboration with Materials Management.
Participate in capital planning for unit needs, including beds, monitoring equipment, and patient care technology.
Collaboration & Community Focus
Build strong, collaborative relationships with Pharmacy, Laboratory, Radiology, Respiratory Therapy, Environmental Services, Case Management, and other departments.
Support effective discharge planning and care transitions with Case Management and community partners such as home health, skilled nursing facilities, and rehabilitation centers serving the Bangor area.
Represent the medical-surgical unit on hospital committees (e.g., Nursing Leadership Council, Falls Committee, Quality Council).
Support the organization’s mission to provide compassionate, community‑focused care for residents of Bangor and surrounding central and northern Maine communities.
Qualifications
Education
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required.
Master’s degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or related field preferred (or willingness to obtain within 5 years of hire).
Licensure & Certifications
Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Maine or multistate compact license with Maine eligibility.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) required or obtained within 6 months of hire.
National specialty certification in medical-surgical nursing or nursing leadership (e.g., CMSRN, RN-BC, CNML, NE-BC) strongly preferred or obtained within 2 years of hire.
Experience
Minimum of 3–5 years of recent acute care clinical nursing experience required; medical-surgical experience strongly preferred.
Minimum of 1–2 years of formal or informal leadership experience (e.g., charge nurse, clinical coordinator, supervisor, assistant nurse manager) preferred.
Experience with quality improvement, change management, or project leadership in a hospital setting is a plus.
Skills & Competencies
Strong clinical judgment and critical thinking skills in adult acute care.
Effective verbal and written communication with patients, families, staff, and providers.
Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop a diverse team.
Excellent organizational and time‑management skills; able to prioritize multiple demands in a fast‑paced environment.
Proficiency in using electronic health records (Epic, Cerner, or similar) and basic office software (Word, Excel, Outlook).
Working knowledge of nursing standards, regulatory requirements, and best practices in patient safety and quality improvement.
Strong commitment to patient advocacy, ethical practice, and trauma‑informed, culturally sensitive care.
Ability to manage conflict, facilitate problem‑solving, and drive consensus.
Hospital inpatient environment with frequent contact with adult and geriatric patients.
Requires the ability to stand and walk for extended periods and to lift, turn, or transfer patients and equipment in accordance with safe patient‑handling policies.
May require occasional evening, night, weekend, and holiday coverage based on operational needs.
Participation in hospital leadership on‑call rotation may be required.
PI282538282