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Surgery Director Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Provide direct nursing care to patients before, during, and after surgical procedures. * Prepare and maintain a safe, sterile operating room environment. * Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesia ...

Provide direct nursing care to patients before, during, and after surgical procedures. * Prepare and maintain a safe, sterile operating room environment. * Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesia ...

Provide direct nursing care to patients before, during, and after surgical procedures. * Prepare and maintain a safe, sterile operating room environment. * Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesia ...

Provide direct nursing care to patients before, during, and after surgical procedures. * Prepare and maintain a safe, sterile operating room environment. * Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesia ...

Provide direct nursing care to patients before, during, and after surgical procedures. * Prepare and maintain a safe, sterile operating room environment. * Collaborate with surgeons, anesthesia ...

Surgical Services Director

Ottumwa, IA · On-site

$115K - $145K/yr

NEW Nursing Leadership opportunity! Details - Full-time and permanent - Opportunities for growth - Full, comprehensive benefits package (PTO, health insurance, life insurance, 401k, etc) - Sign-on ...

Work history/resume/employment history must have 24 months of current operating room / Surgical ... Professional Reference/Reference Check - charge/supervisor/nurse manager/director/CNO/COO ...

Showing results 21-40

Surgery Director information

See Iowa salary details

$54K

$116K

$289.8K

How much do surgery director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for surgery director in Iowa is $116,013.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,300.00 and $128,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a surgery director?

Surgery Directors are senior medical professionals responsible for overseeing the administrative and clinical operations of surgical departments within hospitals or healthcare organizations. They manage surgical staff, coordinate patient care processes, ensure compliance with safety and quality standards, and help develop departmental policies. Surgery Directors also play a role in budgeting, resource allocation, and strategic planning to improve surgical services. They often collaborate with other medical leaders to advance patient outcomes and maintain accreditation standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a surgery director?

To thrive as a Surgery Director, you need comprehensive surgical and medical knowledge, proven leadership experience, and an advanced degree (MD or DO), often with board certification in a surgical specialty. Familiarity with hospital management software, electronic health records (EHRs), and compliance systems such as Joint Commission standards is essential. Outstanding organizational, decision-making, and communication skills set top performers apart in managing surgical teams and coordinating patient care. These skills and qualifications ensure efficient surgical operations, high-quality patient outcomes, and regulatory compliance in a complex healthcare environment.

What are some common challenges faced by a surgery director in managing surgical teams?

A Surgery Director often encounters challenges such as balancing administrative duties with clinical oversight, ensuring effective communication among multidisciplinary team members, and maintaining high standards of patient safety and care. Coordinating schedules, managing resources, and addressing conflicts within the team are also frequent hurdles. Successful Surgery Directors use strong leadership and organizational skills to foster collaboration and continuously improve surgical outcomes, while adapting to regulatory changes and technological advancements.

What is the difference between Surgery Director vs Surgical Program Manager?

AspectSurgery DirectorSurgical Program Manager
CredentialsMedical degree, surgical residency, leadership experienceBachelor's or master's in healthcare administration or related field, experience in surgical settings
Work EnvironmentHospital or surgical center executive leadershipOperational management within surgical departments or programs
Employer & IndustryHospitals, health systems, surgical centersHospitals, clinics, healthcare organizations
Primary FocusStrategic leadership, policy development, overall surgical program oversightProgram coordination, staff management, process improvement

The Surgery Director typically holds a medical degree and leads surgical departments at an executive level, focusing on strategy and policy. In contrast, the Surgical Program Manager manages daily operations and staff within surgical programs, often with a healthcare administration background. Both roles are vital in surgical settings but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Surgery jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Surgery jobs in Iowa are:

What are popular job titles related to Surgery Director jobs in Iowa?

For Surgery Director jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Surgery Director jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Surgery Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Surgery Director job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,013 per year, or $55.8 per hour.

Director, Nursing Services - Medical Surgical Services Division

The University Of Iowa

Iowa City, IA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago


University Of Iowa rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 85 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

462nd of 631 rated colleges and universities


Job description

This position is accountable for leadership and management of the performance of the Medical Surgical Services Division for patient care services in the Department of Nursing Services and Patient Care within the University of Iowa Health Care and Clinical Enterprise by the initiation, promotion and maintenance of clinical, research, financial and administrative principals. The Director of Medical Surgical Services (MSS) is accountable to enhance the organization's capacity to perform by addressing the patient and family centered care management, strategic leadership, change management, quality management, relationship management, information knowledge management, resource management and personal/professional development objectives that follow. This position will Lead and motivate teams through periods of organizational change, ensuring continued alignment with business goals and long-term vision. They will foster a culture of adaptability and resilience within the team, promoting a positive approach to identifying and addressing challenges as well as collaborate with cross-functional teams and senior leadership to integrate change management activities into project plans and ensure a cohesive approach.  

Key Areas of Responsibility:

Human Resources Management: Work across multiple nursing functions and with medical and hospital leaders to create a consistent approach to HR management. Hold unit leaders within a department accountable for high performance and high engagement by articulating expectations, monitoring performance and providing feedback consistently across areas of responsibility. Approve resource allocations and staffing models. Develop and retain qualified nursing leadership staff and build an effective leadership team.
Financial and Data Management and Analysis: Develop strategy for budget priorities for multiple nursing education and research functions and negotiate among them to address resource issues. Hold nurse managers and other leaders accountable for managing respective budgets. Work with own leaders within and external to area to innovatively address and resolve budget issues.
Establish reliable revenue cycle processes, including working with nurse managers, staff nurses and physicians on documentation to support
billed charges.

Operations, Standards of Care, Regulatory Compliance, Quality and Patient Satisfaction: Work across multiple nursing functions to develop, monitor and enhance quality and service indicators and business processes. Oversee patient satisfaction and quality indicators. Assure that clinical services, educational programs, and research activities are in compliance with all applicable internal and external requirements, including Joint Commission.
Patient Care/Services Delivery: Work across multiple nursing functions and with nurse managers and associate directors to implement best care practices and new models of care/service. Address implementation issues across nursing functions and with other departments. Incorporate the principles of Service Leadership to ensure positive patient/customer relations.

Planning and Goal Management: Develop departmental strategic plan and integrate it with other functions; guide nurse managers and associate directors in developing action plans for implementation; monitor progress to goal completion. Assure integration of goals across functions.

Communication/Collaboration: Serve as liaison between staff, medical staff, and nursing and healthcare leadership. Engage and collaborate with physicians to identify opportunities for improvement, program development and capital budgeting. Communicate with external agencies and constituencies to address issues and answer questions. Serve as liaison among multiple clinical functions, research, and education units to support collaboration in identifying opportunities for improvement and program development.
Education Programs: Administer nursing education programs. Develop effective orientation and staff development programs.
Maintain a climate of learning that promotes collaborative experiences for students in the University Health Science Colleges and other health care programs. Participate in and present educational programs to staff and University colleges and programs. Develop and support efficient systems for patient education.

Research Administration: Collaborate with other leaders to identify evidence based practice and research opportunities. Assure access to nursing research and healthcare information. Benchmark best practices with comparable settings.
 

Percent of Time: 100%, 
Schedule: Monday - Friday with flexibility to meet divisional needs
Pay Grade: 8A - https://hr.uiowa.edu/pay/pay-plans/professional-and-scientific-pay-structure
 

Benefits Highlights:

  • Regular salaried position located in Iowa City, Iowa
  • Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans - click here for details
  • For more information about Why Iowa?, click here   

Required Qualifications:

  • Master's degree in Nursing or related field. If Master's Degree is in a related field, a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing is required
  • Current, valid license to practice nursing in Iowa
  • Comprehensive (7-10 years) experience in an administrative position in a large, complex health care organization with demonstrated ability to work with multiple disciplines to ensure effective health care operations with progressive leadership in an acute inpatient setting
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills to serve as a liaison and to collaborate with physicians, staff, patient, and other customers
  • Demonstrated experience assuring patient safety, quality of care and compliance in a regulatory environment with various state and federal
    agencies and the Joint Commission
  • Demonstrated job-related experience and/or commitment to fostering a respectful and supportive environment in the workplace or academic setting.
  • Demonstrated experience developing budget strategy, priorities and negotiating resource issue
  • Role model Service Excellence principles
  • Must be proficient in computer and software applications
    Desirable Qualifications:

  • Current knowledge of University policies and procedures
  • Certification in a role or specialty through a nationally recognized professional nursing certification body
  • Experience working in a union environment
  • Knowledge of nursing research and EBP programs related to Medical Surgical Nursing care
    Application Process: In order to be considered, applicants must upload a cover letter and resume (under submission relevant materials) that clearly address how they meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position. Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days. If you have questions you can contact Tiffany Perkins at tiffany-perkins@uiowa.edu.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check. This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.
 

Additional Information
  • Classification Title: Director, Nursing Services
  • Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
  • Schedule: Full-time
Compensation
  • Pay Level: 8A
Contact Information
  • Organization: Healthcare
  • Contact Name: Tiffany Perkins
  • Contact Email: tiffany-perkins@uiowa.edu

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