CAREER OPPORTUNITY

Clinical Director, Perioperative Services

Leading Independent Nonprofit Acute Care Hospital  |  Surgical Services Division

San Fernando Valley, CA  |  Full-Time Days  |  On-Site

Compensation: $86.58 – $107.51/hour  |  Estimated Annual: $180,000 – $223,600

You didn’t earn your way to perioperative leadership to spend your days fighting fires, absorbing the fallout of chronic understaffing, and watching the culture you built erode under administrative pressure.

If your current reality includes managing a revolving door of travelers and registry staff, losing surgical volume because the OR can’t be properly staffed, or feeling increasingly disconnected from the clinical excellence that drove you into this work—you are not alone. Burnout prevalence among perioperative nursing professionals ranges from 17% to 43%, and the top reason surgical leaders leave is not compensation—it is dysfunctional management support, chronic workload imbalance, and the erosion of professional autonomy.

This role was designed to be different.

 

Our client—a 350-bed, independent, nonprofit community hospital with AHA Gold Plus and Joint Commission certifications—is seeking a Clinical Director of Perioperative Services to lead strategic and operational direction across the Operating Room, Pre-op, PACU, GI/Endoscopy, and Sterile Processing. Reporting directly to the Chief Nursing Officer, you will partner with executive leadership, 600+ medical staff physicians, anesthesia providers, and interdisciplinary teams to shape the future of surgical care for one of the largest acute care facilities in its region. This is not a title-only promotion into bureaucratic limbo—it is a mandate to lead, innovate, and build a high-performing perioperative program with the full backing of a mission-driven organization.

WHY THIS ROLE IS DIFFERENT

•       True Strategic Authority — You will own the perioperative strategic plan end-to-end—surgical service growth, capital equipment planning, process improvement initiatives, and OR utilization optimization. This is a seat at the leadership table, not a middle-management buffer.

•       Meaningful Clinical Impact — Lead quality improvement and patient safety initiatives including performance metrics, root cause analyses, and evidence-based best practices in infection prevention and sterile technique across all surgical care areas.

•       Team You Can Build — Recruit, develop, and retain RNs, surgical technologists, sterile processing staff, and support personnel. This organization invests in shared governance and professional development—not just gap-filling with temporary labor.

•       Collaborative, Not Isolated — Partner directly with surgeons, anesthesia providers, vendors, and interdisciplinary leaders. The culture here prioritizes coordinated patient care and transparent communication, backed by a CNO who champions nursing leadership.

•       Manageable Scope, Real Resources — Lead a defined service line with budgetary authority over labor, supplies, and capital. The organization supports data-driven decision-making and operational efficiency initiatives without sacrificing quality.

•       Mission-Driven Culture — Join a nonprofit institution that has served its community for over 65 years. This is an organization where dignity, respect, compassion, and collaboration are practiced daily—not laminated on a wall.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

•       Drive Surgical Growth — Oversee the development and execution of perioperative strategic initiatives to enhance surgical service delivery, increase volume, and optimize OR throughput and utilization.

•       Champion Patient Safety — Promote adherence to best practices in perioperative care, infection prevention, and sterile technique. Lead quality improvement programs, performance metrics, and root cause analyses.

•       Build & Retain Talent — Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing perioperative team. Cultivate a positive, accountable team environment that supports professional growth and shared governance.

•       Manage Financial Performance — Develop and oversee departmental budgets, labor resources, and capital equipment planning. Identify cost-reduction opportunities while maintaining quality standards.

•       Ensure Regulatory Excellence — Maintain compliance with all regulatory and accreditation requirements, including Joint Commission, CMS, and state licensing standards.

•       Strengthen Interdisciplinary Partnerships — Build productive working relationships with surgeons, anesthesia providers, vendors, and hospital leadership to ensure coordinated, efficient patient care.

WHO YOU ARE

Required:

•       Clinical Experience — Minimum five (5) years of clinical nursing experience in an acute care hospital, with at least three (3) years in perioperative services.

•       Leadership Track Record — At least three (3) years of experience in a manager or director-level leadership role in a perioperative setting.

•       Education — Bachelor’s degree required (BSN preferred). Master’s degree in nursing, healthcare administration, or a related business field required.

•       Licensure — Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of California. Current BLS certification. LA City Fire Card (within 30 days of hire).

 

Preferred:

•       Certifications — CNOR (Certified Nurse Operating Room) and/or NE-BC or NEA-BC (Nurse Executive certification) strongly preferred.

•       Setting Experience — Demonstrated success leading perioperative services in a community hospital or independent facility with high surgical volumes.

•       Skills — Proven ability in budget management, physician relations, quality metrics, and staff development in a unionized or non-unionized acute care environment.

YOUR TOTAL REWARDS

Compensation

Hourly rate of $86.58 – $107.51 (estimated annual salary $180,000 – $223,600 based on full-time schedule). Competitive compensation reviewed regularly against Los Angeles-area and healthcare industry benchmarks.

 

Health & Wellness

Choice of medical plans including an EPO option with waived copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance for services provided at the hospital. Dental and vision plans with a wide range of coverage options. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing five confidential counseling sessions at no cost, plus access to wellness resources for employees and family members.

 

Financial Security

403(b) retirement plan with immediate eligibility upon hire. Employer-funded 401(a) defined contribution retirement plan—entirely hospital-funded, no employee contribution required—with eligibility after one year of service. AD&D insurance equal to one times base salary (up to $50,000) with option to purchase additional coverage.

 

Growth & Development

Tuition reimbursement for continuing education. Continuous learning and professional advancement opportunities. Leadership development programs and access to evidence-based practice initiatives.

 

Work-Life Balance & Perks

Personal Time Off (PTO), Extended Illness Bank, and Designated Holidays. Rideshare incentives including Metro transportation reimbursement and quarterly rideshare raffles. Employee referral bonuses for hard-to-fill positions. Discounts on cafeteria, gift shop, and exclusive brand partnerships for travel, dining, and entertainment.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Our client is one of the largest independent, nonprofit acute care hospitals in a major Southern California metropolitan area. Founded over 65 years ago, this 350-bed full-service facility serves more than 100,000 community members, 70,000+ emergency room patients, and 3,000+ expectant mothers annually. The hospital is staffed by 600+ physicians covering virtually every specialty and most subspecialties, supported by diverse teams of nurses, therapists, technicians, and support staff.

The organization holds multiple clinical designations including Certified Cardiac STEMI Receiving Center (one of only 36% of hospitals nationwide to meet these standards), Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center with AHA Gold Plus recognition, Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics (EDAP), and designated Pediatric Medical Center (PMC) with a dedicated PICU. In 2025, the hospital received the AHA Gold Plus Award for Stroke Quality Measures and Bronze Award for Resuscitation Quality Measures.

This organization operates on a foundation of dignity, respect, compassion, and collaboration—values reflected in its longstanding commitment to community health through benefit programs, volunteerism, and philanthropy. It remains fiercely independent, allowing leadership to make mission-driven decisions without corporate bureaucracy.

THE LOCATION

Located in the heart of the San Fernando Valley within the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area, this community offers an appealing balance of urban access and suburban livability. The region provides proximity to world-class dining, entertainment, cultural attractions, beaches, and mountain recreation—all within a short drive. Major professional sports, renowned universities, and an international airport are nearby. The Valley’s diverse neighborhoods offer a range of housing options, excellent schools, and a strong sense of community identity.

 

READY TO MAKE YOUR NEXT MOVE?

Contact your recruiting representative for confidential next steps.

Client identity and full application details will be shared with qualified, vetted candidates.

 

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, or veteran status.