THE HEALTHCARE INITIATIVE

Where Talent Meets Opportunity 

Director of CVICU

Southwest Region

The hospital has a true heart and vascular identity, not just a cardiac unit within a general ICU environment.

This is a specialty cardiovascular hospital connected to a larger acute-care system, with advanced cardiac and vascular services that include CT surgery, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, cardiac imaging, cath lab services, and a dedicated cardiovascular operating environment.

The program has received national quality recognition and continues to expand cardiovascular access across the market, which makes this a strong opportunity for a CVICU leader who wants to be part of a cardiac program with real depth, visibility, and momentum.

The CVICU is a 15+ bed cardiac-only unit. No mixed medical ICU population. No watered-down acuity. This is a true cardiovascular environment with open hearts, ECMO, LVAD, Impella, balloon pumps, and vascular/cardiac patients.

The unit is already performing well. HCAHPS is near the 95th percentile, and leadership describes the 50+ nurse team as one of the most engaged and self-motivated groups they have worked with in 20 years.

This is a chance to lead a strong team that needs visible leadership, structure, consistency, continued development, and someone who understands the balance between clinical excellence, staffing realities, census swings, productivity, quality, and staff engagement.

This leader will have full responsibility for the CVICU, including:

• Day-to-day operations
• Staffing and scheduling
• Timekeeping and productivity
• Quality outcomes and chart audits
• Staff development, retention, and recruitment
• Collaboration with CT surgery, interventional cardiology, intensivists, and procedural service-line partners
• Patient satisfaction and employee engagement
• Leadership presence across shifts, including occasional early/late rounding to stay connected with staff

What makes this opportunity different

This is the kind of role that will appeal to a CVICU leader who still gets energized by the clinical side of nursing leadership —someone who understands that cardiac nurses are wired differently, that census swings can impact morale quickly, and that high-performing teams still need a leader who can protect the culture while tightening the operation.

Requirements

• BSN required
• MSN preferred
• Candidates actively enrolled in a BSN program with a defined completion date may be considered
• Strong CVICU clinical background required
• 5+ years of cardiac/CVICU nursing experience required
• 2+ years of formal leadership experience required
• Experience with ECMO, open heart, Impella, and balloon pumps required
• LVAD experience highly preferred
• Pure medical ICU background will not align unless there is meaningful cardiac exposure

The location

This Southwest market offers sunshine, mountain views, outdoor access, and a lower-stress lifestyle than many larger metro areas.

You’ll find:

• 350+ days of sunshine annually
• Hiking, biking, and expansive outdoor spaces
• World-class golf
• A strong university presence
• Museums, cultural attractions, festivals, and special events
• Family-friendly amenities, including parks, youth activities, and a zoo
• A more manageable cost of living than many coastal markets

For the right cardiac nurse leader, this is a chance to step into a clinically respected CVICU, lead a team that is already proud of the work, and help shape the next phase of a strong cardiovascular program.

To Learn More: To apply or schedule a confidential phone conversation, please send your resume (MS WORD format preferred) to Tania@THI-Search.com or call 720-735-9750.

As one of the most successful executive search firms in the country, The HealthCare Initiative is constantly working on several searches nationwide in the world of healthcare. With over 51 years of experience, you can rest assured that all information is exchanged on a confidential basis. To learn more about The HealthCare Initiative, please visit www.thehealthcareinitiative.com.