Nurse Manager – Main Post Anesthesia Care Unit

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a premier academic cancer center dedicated to cancer patient care, research, education, and prevention. The Main Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) provides specialized post-procedural and post-surgical care for patients recovering from anesthesia, requiring strong clinical oversight, interdisciplinary collaboration, and operational excellence. The Nurse Manager is a key leadership role supporting this fast-paced, high-acuity environment.

The Nurse Manager collaborates with nursing and operational leadership to ensure safe, high-quality patient care, staff development, fiscal responsibility, and achievement of unit goals. The Nurse Manager supports evidence-based practice, quality improvement initiatives, and professional nursing excellence. The Nurse Manager also plays an important role in fostering staff engagement, operational effectiveness, and patient-centered care within the Main PACU.

The ideal candidate will possess clinical experience in PACU, ICU, Endoscopy, or Emergency Department settings and demonstrated nursing leadership experience. A Master’s degree and professional certification are preferred; however, strong candidates with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), certification, and leadership experience will be considered.

Annual Salary:
Minimum $129,000 — Midpoint $161,500 — Maximum $194,000

The typical work schedule is an evening shift. Anticipated schedules under consideration include 3:00 p.m.–11:30 p.m. five days per week, 1:00 p.m.–11:30 p.m. four days per week, or 2:00 p.m.–12:30 a.m. four days per week. Rotating weekend call and onsite Saturday coverage required with four to five other nurse managers.

At UT MD Anderson, the Nurse Manager has the opportunity to impact patient outcomes, support nursing excellence, and lead a highly specialized post-anesthesia care team. This role provides meaningful leadership responsibility, professional growth opportunities, participation in organizational initiatives, and the ability to contribute to the mission of ending cancer while maintaining a collaborative work environment.

• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30 hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.

• Participate in implementation and monitoring of the unit budget to respond cost-effectively to changing patient, staff, and inter-professional team requirements
• Implement plans to achieve compliance with established budget expectations
• Assist in preparation and delivery of unit staffing plans considering skill mix, staffing levels, and patient care requirements
• Ensure daily staffing plans and patient care assignments support quality and fiscally responsible patient care
• Support change initiatives and ensure staff understand the importance, necessity, impact, and process of change
• Build relationships among staff members that enhance loyalty and commitment to the organization
• Gather different viewpoints and communicate information and ideas to the Associate Director
• Support an environment where staff practice with autonomy

• Assist the Associate Director with recruitment, retention, supervision, evaluation, and productivity of clinical and clerical staff
• Coach and…