Nursing Operations & Excellence Project Manager

Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital seeks a Nursing Operations & Excellence Project Manager. This position is responsible for leading initiatives that improve operational efficiency, optimize patient throughput, and drive the achievement and maintenance of Magnet designation. This role combines expertise in project management, process improvement, data reporting/analysis, and nursing excellence to advance organizational goals, enhance patient outcomes, and promote a culture of high-quality care.

Major Accountabilities / Specific Job Competencies

1. Magnet Designation Leadership

• Coordinate the preparation and submission of evidence supporting Magnet standards, ensuring compliance with requirements.
• Partner with nursing leadership to implement initiatives that enhance nurse engagement, professional development, and shared governance. 

2. Project Management

• Develop and execute project plans for throughput optimization, Magnet designation, and other 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. 

3. Operational Improvement

• Analyze hospital workflows, identify inefficiencies, and implement solutions to improve patient flow and resource utilization.
• Lead nursing excellence initiatives to streamline processes in key areas such as 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. 

4. Regulatory Compliance and Data Reporting/Analysis

• Ensure all projects align with healthcare regulations, including HIPAA, CMS guidelines, and Magnet standards.
• Developing reports and analysis of healthcare data with emphasis on assisting in identifying opportunities for improvement and analyzing quality indicators for throughput, operational efficiency, and nursing excellence. 

5. Stakeholder Collaboration

• Collaborate with clinical teams, IT, and operations to implement technology solutions that support 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. 

Qualifications

All job qualifications listed indicate the minimum level necessary to perform this job proficiently.

Level of Education

• Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management/Administration, or a related field.
• Preferred:  Master’s degree in Healthcare Management, Business Administration, or a related field. 

Technical Requirements

• Minimum: 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.

Years of Related Work Experience

• Minimum:  Three (3) years of experience in hospital operations, project management, or process improvement.
• Preferred: Five (5) years of experience in hospital operations, project management, or process improvement

Cottage Health is a leading acute care hospital system, located on the central coast of California, widely known for our superior patient care, innovation, medical research and education. Our health system operates primarily in Santa Barbara, Ca, since 1888, and consists of three acute care hospitals, a Rehabilitation Hospital, multiple clinics and a multi-site Urgent Care system. Our mission is to serve the central coast communities with excellence, integrity, and compassion. Every day we touch thousands of lives in many different ways, resolute in our mission to put patients first. We take pride in helping our patients get back to living their lives - in the places they love.
Cottage Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Cottage Health applicants are considered solely based on their qualifications, without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, transgender, gender expression and identity, national origin, ancestry, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military status or any other classification protected by law. This policy applies to all aspects of the