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Intensive Care Unit Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Nursing Director, Women, Infants & Children The NICU Nurse Manager has 24 hour, 7 days per week responsibility and accountability for the day to day coordination of department operations and quality ...

Standards of Behavior Line of Responsibility and Authority LINE OF AUTHORITY: RN II, Intensive Care Unit - Director of Intensive Care Unit Professionalism and Self-Development Education and ...

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Standards of Behavior Line of Responsibility and Authority LINE OF AUTHORITY: RN II, Intensive Care Unit - Director of Intensive Care Unit Professionalism and Self-Development Education and ...

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Clinical Nurse Specialist The Clinical Nurse Specialist shall be responsible for directing the clinical nursing practice in the NICU & Pediatric Unit. Coordination and assessment of educational ...

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Intensive Care Unit Director information

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$30.5K

$154.4K

$346.5K

How much do intensive care unit director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for intensive care unit director in the United States is $154,405.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,000.00 and $184,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an intensive care unit director?

To thrive as an Intensive Care Unit Director, you need advanced clinical expertise, leadership abilities, and a background in critical care nursing or medicine, typically supported by a relevant degree and supervisory experience. Familiarity with ICU-specific technologies, electronic health records (EHRs), and certifications such as CCRN or CEN are highly valued. Exceptional communication, decision-making, and conflict-resolution skills set outstanding candidates apart in this high-pressure environment. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure patient safety, coordinate multidisciplinary teams, and maintain high standards of care in the ICU.

What are some common challenges faced by an intensive care unit director, and how can they be addressed?

Intensive Care Unit Directors often face challenges such as balancing administrative duties with clinical oversight, managing high-stress situations, and ensuring consistent communication among multidisciplinary teams. To address these, effective time management, clear delegation, and fostering a collaborative culture are essential. Additionally, staying updated with the latest critical care practices and supporting staff through regular training can help maintain high standards of patient care and team morale.

What does an intensive care unit director do?

An Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Director is responsible for overseeing the medical and administrative operations of the ICU in a hospital. They ensure the highest standards of patient care, coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, set protocols, and manage staff scheduling and training. The ICU Director also monitors quality assurance, develops policies, and works to improve patient outcomes. Additionally, they often handle budget management and work closely with hospital leadership to implement best practices.

What is the difference between Intensive Care Unit Director vs Critical Care Nurse Manager?

AspectIntensive Care Unit DirectorCritical Care Nurse Manager
CredentialsMedical degree, ICU leadership experienceRegistered Nurse (RN), Critical Care Certification
Work EnvironmentHospital ICU, administrative and clinical oversightHospital ICU, nursing management and staff supervision
Employer & IndustryHospitals, healthcare organizationsHospitals, healthcare facilities
Search & ComparisonOften compared for leadership roles in ICUCommonly compared for nursing management in ICU

The Intensive Care Unit Director typically holds a medical degree and oversees ICU operations at an administrative level, focusing on strategic planning and staff management. The Critical Care Nurse Manager, on the other hand, is a registered nurse responsible for supervising nursing staff and patient care in the ICU. Both roles are vital in ICU settings but differ mainly in scope, credentials, and responsibilities.

What cities are hiring for Intensive Care Unit Director jobs? Cities with the most Intensive Care Unit Director job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Intensive Care Unit jobs? The most popular types of Intensive Care Unit jobs are:
What states have the most Intensive Care Unit Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Intensive Care Unit Director jobs include:

Assistant Unit Director RN Neonatal ICU (NICU)

Rush University Medical Center

Chicago, IL • On-site

$51.26 - $91.76/hr

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


Rush University Medical Center rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 109 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

117th of 1,059 rated hospitals


Job description

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Business Unit: Rush Medical Center

Hospital: Rush University Medical Center

Department: Neonatal ICU-NICU

Work Type: Full Time (Total FTE between 0. 9 and 1. 0)

Shift: Shift 2

Work Schedule: 8 Hr (3:00:00 PM - 11:00:00 PM)

Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits learn more at our Rush benefits page (https://www.rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits).

Pay Range: $51.26 - $91.76 per hour
Rush salaries are determined by many factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related experience and skills, as well as internal equity and industry specific market data. The pay range for each role reflects Rush’s anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position. Offers may vary depending on the circumstances of each case.

Summary:
Under the guidance and direction of the unit director, the Assistant Unit Director RN (AUD) is the clinical liaison and assistant business manager of a specific patient care unit(s). In the absence of the unit director, the Assistant Unit Director RN is the RN Unit Director designee. The Assistant Unit Director Registered Nurse implements initiatives in support of the unit vision and manages human, operational and organizational systems that support patient care. Exemplifies the Rush mission, vision and values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures.

Other information:
Required Job Qualifications:
• Current State of Illinois Registered Nurse licensure.
• Consistent proficient performance at the RN 2 level or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated progressive, proficient management and leadership skills.
• Earned nursing degree at the baccalaureate level or higher (except AUDs hired before 01/2013).
• National Certification required within twelve months of hire.
• Demonstrates analytical ability.
• Ability to use electronic business programs and technology
• Demonstrates the ability to work in complex departmental systems or programs.
• Communication skills are required in order to lead, teach and persuade others.
• Ability to interact effectively with others in difficult situations.
• Work requires 24/7 responsibility for activities of the unit.
• Work requires the ability to assume the charge nurse role.
• Work requires the ability to take a full patient assignment on clinical unit.
• The ability to check documents for errors, use a keyboard to enter or retrieve data, and closely examine specimen, images or reports.
Preferred Job Qualifications:
• Graduate degree in nursing preferred or related field considered (except AUDs hired before 01/2013).
Physical Demands:
• Lifting or carrying objects 30lbs. and lifting and positioning patients, with appropriate lift devices.
• Ability to walk throughout the Medical Center and to be standing or walking most of the designated shift.
• Work conditions include performing procedures where carelessness could result in injury or illness and/or contact with potentially infectious materials and/or strong chemical agents.

Responsibilities:
1.Utilizes quality monitoring data to assess the effectiveness of clinical processes.
2.Facilitates unit quality initiatives, research and /or evidence based activities utilizing best current evidence.
3.Champions the strategies for changing clinician and team behavior to encourage adoption of evidence based practices.
4.Provides leadership in the design, implementation and evaluation of process improvement initiatives at the unit and department level.
5.Ensures that the unit personnel establish a caring, therapeutic relationship with patients and families through effective communication, acknowledgement of patient/family perceptions of health and illness and mutual goal setting.
6.Participates in developing constructive and strategic partnerships with peers, professional nurses, the University, other disciplines and departments to achieve positive clinical and service outcomes.
7.Resolves conflict to continuously improve team relationships at the unit and department level.
8.Supports a climate that fosters open communication, values differing points of view and promotes shared governance.
9.Ensures accountability for honest and fair interactions with all constituents across disciplines.
10.Advocates enhancing the climate that optimizes the patient and family experience through supportive interactions and staff education.
11.Provides structured opportunities for reflection and review of complex patient situations to develop critical thinking skills of all unit personnel.
12.Critically analyzes complex patient cases and effectively adapts the plan of care.
13.Develops the clinical knowledge and skill of the staff related to strategies to maintain patient safety.
14.Monitors and ensures compliance with the State Nurse Practice Act, State Board of Nursing Regulations, regulatory agency standards and the policies of the organization.
15.Uses information technology to streamline and improve processes.
16.Monitors and ensures nursing staff compliance with safety strategies (fall precautions, infection control, and suicide risk patient identification) to minimize risk.
17.Collaborate with the CNS to identify staff learning needs and provides education to strengthen and develop professional nurses' critical thinking skills.
18.Implements and monitors strategies and tactics related to the unit goals while ensuring sustainability.
19.Fosters the implementation of initiatives to promote a healthy work environment.
20.Leads innovations using principles of change and continues to reinforce change until positive outcomes are achieved.
21.Assumes a leadership role in analytical problem solving of both clinical and nursing related issues.
22.Functions as a mentor and coach to promote or enhance the development of unit staff.
23.Influences behaviors through collaborative practice, conflict management, negotiation and effective use of dialogue
24.Demonstrates accountability for own professional practice, including progress toward achievement of annual goals.
25.Provides and invites ongoing performance feedback to peers to achieve positive clinical and service outcomes.
26.Considers fiscal and budgetary implications in decision-making regarding practice and system modifications.
27.Manages staff performance through recruitment, rewards, recognition, counseling and disciplinary action.
28.Assumes the accountability of administrative management of the unit as delegated by the unit director.
29.Supports the execution of fiscal accountability.

Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.


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