Nursing Operations & Excellence Project Manager Full Time

Summary

Cottage Health, a premier acute care hospital system on California’s central coast since 1888, seeks a Nursing Operations & Excellence Project Manager at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. Known for superior care, innovation, and education, it operates multiple facilities in Santa Barbara, driving nursing excellence and operational efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate preparation and submission of evidence supporting Magnet standards, ensuring compliance with requirements.
• Partner with nursing leadership to implement initiatives enhancing nurse engagement, professional development, and shared governance.
• Develop and execute project plans for throughput optimization, Magnet designation, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and stakeholder expectations to ensure successful delivery.
• Oversee cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration among clinical, operational, and administrative departments.
• Analyze hospital workflows, identify inefficiencies, and implement solutions to improve patient flow and resource utilization.
• Lead nursing excellence initiatives to streamline processes in bed management, discharge planning, and Emergency Department throughput.
• Monitor and report on performance metrics, including length of stay (LOS), wait times, and bed turnover rates, providing actionable insights to nursing leadership.
• Ensure all projects align with healthcare regulations, including HIPAA, CMS guidelines, and Magnet standards.
• Develop reports and analysis of healthcare data, identifying opportunities for improvement and analyzing quality indicators for throughput, operational efficiency, and nursing excellence.
• Collaborate with clinical teams, IT, and operations to implement technology solutions supporting throughput and Magnet goals.
• Facilitate workshops, training sessions, and meetings to align stakeholders on project objectives and strategies.
• Act as a liaison between leadership and staff, ensuring transparent communication and alignment on priorities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management/Administration, or a related field.
• Familiarity with hospital information systems (e.g., EMR, bed tracking systems), quality improvement tools, and national benchmarking such as National Database for Nursing Quality indicators (NDNQI).
• Knowledge in Lean, Six Sigma, and Project Management.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in tools such as Excel or other data visualization platforms.
• Three (3) years of experience in hospital operations, project management, or process improvement.
• Preferred: Master’s degree in Healthcare Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Preferred: Five (5) years of experience in hospital operations, project management, or process improvement.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Total Rewards program available at cottagehealth.org/careers/total-rewards.