Director of Nursing in Anahuac, Texas at Chambers County Public Hospital District No 1

Job Title: Director of Nursing

Reports To: CEO

Department: Nursing

FLSA Status: Salaried Exempt

SUMMARY

Plans, organizes and directs the provision of patient care services. Supervises department personnel and all functions including developing and maintaining nursing service objectives, standards of care, policy and procedures, and educational in-services. Manages and performs duties in Utilization Review, Quality Assurance and Infection Control. Responsible for assuring compliance of the hospital as a member of East Texas Gulf Coast Regional Trauma Advisory Council (RAC-R). Responsible for bed reporting to EMResource and Web EOC. Ensure departmental compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations. OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Class 1.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Plans, organizes and directs the provision of patient care services.

1. Develops and maintains nursing practice that is consistent with the Nurse Practice Act for the State of Texas.
2. Plans and directs compliance of policies and procedures for the hospital nursing department and procedures to keep them up to date with current standards.
3. Maintains current job descriptions for all categories of nursing personnel.
4. Visits all nursing units, analyzing and evaluating nursing care and related services provided to patients.
5. Assumes responsibility for identifying problem areas of patient care and formulates plans of action to solve them.
6. Assures proper handling of and care of emergency patients, visitors, and employees involved in accidents while in the building or on the job.
7. Provides care appropriate for the pediatric, adolescent, and geriatric patients served based on demonstrated knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span.
8. Assesses and interprets data on pediatric, adolescent, and geriatric patients’ status to identify patients’ requirements relative to their age-specific needs and provides care needed as stipulated in departmental policy.

B. Facilitates favorable relationships within nursing, and with the Medical Staff, and all other hospital departments and seeks input regarding nursing care.

1. Maintains positive and effective working relationships with other departments and the Medical Staff, and with federal, state, and local agencies.
2. Coordinates nursing service activities with other departments.
3. Serves as a consultant on admitting and discharge policies and procedures.
4. Establishes nursing procedures on the administration and control of medications under the direction of the Pharmacist and the Pharmacy Committee.

C. Manage department functions and supervises department personnel.

1. Establishes Nursing Department goals and objectives and evaluates progress towards their achievement.
2. Initiates departmental policies, procedures, and practices consistent with hospital policy.
3. Supervises and coordinates activities including work routine and schedules, and selects, hires, develops, evaluates, disciplines, and terminates department employees in compliance with hospital policy.
4. Assists administration in monitoring the utilization of approved budgeted resources including supplies, equipment, education and adequate staffing levels of nursing.
5. Assures compliance with federal, state, and other regulations pertaining to nursing services and the provision of patient care.

D. Maintains the infection control policies and procedures.

1. Initiates, reviews, and revises infection control policies and procedures.
2. Maintains close communication with all hospital personnel to act as the focal point for accumulating infection control information.
3. Assists with and participates in infection control in-service for the entire hospital.

E. Manages the Utilization Review Program.

1. Manage the monitoring and compiling of information regarding the necessity of admission and continued stay of patients.
2. Manage the review of patient records to assemble utilization review information.
3. Manage the admission and continued stay reviews on all Medicare, Medicaid, and some non-federal covered patients.
4. Manage the communication with the provider advisor regarding utilization review concerns, such as, when questions arise concerning an admission, when recertification of a patient is required, or when the need for continued stay is questioned.

F. Manages the maintenance of records and supports the hospital in utilization matters.

1. Prepares and presents education sessions and materials for medical staff members and the hospital staff.
2. Compiles statistics for reporting to the Medical Staff Committee.

G. Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement Program.

1. Functions as consultant to organization QAPI committee and directors.
2. Assists the medical, nursing and other professional staff in the development of QAPI Program, monitors indicators of care and review criteria.
3. Assists QAPI Program director(s) with review for compliance with monitors.
4. Develops the nursing department QAPI plan and determines areas to be monitored.
5. Informs nursing department personnel of QAPI activities.
6. Provides reports and results to the hospital QAPI committee.
7. Submits specific recommendations to the Administrator and the Medical Staff.

H. Risk Management Program

1. Functions as consultant to organization Risk Management Program committee and directors.
2. Assists Risk Management Program Director(s) with review for compliance with monitors.
3. Assists with evaluating and monitoring undesirable events that may represent potential liability to the hospital or other providers of care.
4. Assists with collecting and analyzing data which can be utilized in identifying and minimizing risk exposures.
5. Reviews clinically based patient complaints, discusses when necessary, and offers solutions, when possible, to resolve any grievances with the hospital to eliminate or diminish potential liability.

I. Determines the educational, training, and performance needs of employees.

1. Assesses data concerning quality of patient care.
2. Reviews education and training requirements with hospital department managers and supervisors.

J. Plans and implements the clinical education and training programs required.

1. Formulates and implements in-service education objectives.
2. Constructs curriculum, course outlines, objectives, teaching methods, examinations, and evaluation tools for programs.
3. Contributes to the development of philosophy, goals and objectives, policies and procedures, and job descriptions of the hospital.
4. Makes available professional literature, current periodicals, and education opportunities outside the hospital.
5. Utilizes theories of leadership and methods of instruction that will provide the greatest gain from the experience.

K. Assesses the delivery of patient care throughout the hospital and determines compliance with infection control policies and procedures.

1. Assesses culture reports monthly to determine present infections, nosocomial infections, or community acquired infections.
2. Assesses the Employee Health Program on a regular basis and determines the potential or evident infections.
3. Assesses all patient’s temperature charts to determine possible infections.
4. Assesses all patients with potential sources of contaminates (IV, Foley Catheters, incisions, etc.).

Other Significant Requirements:

1. Maintains confidentiality while working with confidential matters on a daily basis.
2. Provides service direct to patients while maintaining a positive patient relations atmosphere.
3. Interacts with patients, family members, Medical Staff members and other department managers on a continuous basis.
4. Follows aseptic procedures and procedures for using precautions when involved in direct patient contact or handling potentially infectious materials.
5. Ensures departmental adherence to organizational safety and infection control guidelines and policies. Participates in, as requested, safety initiatives and programs, including conducting regular safety meetings and inspections for the department.
6. Projects, at all times, a “customer first” attitude and philosophy in executing assigned responsibilities.
7. Provides service direct to patients while providing for the care, comfort and/or convenience of the patient.
8. Maintains a friendly, collegial and positive attitude and demeanor in all dealings with patients, families, visitors and/or organization staff.

General Responsibilities:

• Adhere to all Chambers Health appearance standards and always maintain a professional dress while working.
• Maintains friendly, efficient, positive customer service attitude toward customers, clients and co-workers. Is responsive to customer needs.
• Uses Service Excellence model when interacting with patients, client, and guests.
• Demonstrates commitment to professional growth and competence by adherence to hospital and departmental annual training commitments.
• Participates in self-development by attending mandatory in-services and educational programs appropriate to the goals and needs of the department.
• Adheres to all established systems and training programs to provide a safe environment.
• Maintains compliance with Chambers Health standards of operation. Always adheres to Chambers Health Business Conduct Policy. Maintains all records and reports to ensure compliance with all local, state and federal regulations and codes.
• Maintains compliance with all requirements of Federal, State and local regulations and guidelines including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended.

OTHER DUTIES

• Performs other related duties as may be assigned by CEO.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described in the following tables are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to extreme cold and extreme heat.

USE OF EQUIPMENT: Fill in equipment typically used to perform the job, i.e. personal computer, telephone, oven, grill, cash register, copier, hand truck, etc.

• Computer
• Telephone
• Printer
• Fax
• Nurse Call System
• Telemetry
• Defibrillator
• Patient monitor
• EKG machine
• IV pump; Glucometer
• Ventilator/High Flow Oxygen
• Fluid Warmer

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

Must be able to work independently with limited supervision. Demonstrates interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal. Requires strong organizational skills, accuracy and attention to detail.

A. Education: Graduate of an accredited School of Professional Nursing. Bachelors degree in Nursing or equivalent is preferred.

B. Personal Job-Related Skills: Knowledge of nursing theories and practices. Leadership and management abilities and effective oral and written communication skills.

C. Licensure, Registry or Certification: Registered Nurse currently licensed by the State of Texas. BLS, ACLS, PALS, TNCC required.

D. Experience:

1. Prior Work Experience: Five years of professional nursing experience in a clinical setting, two years in a nursing managerial, supervisory, or instructor role.

E. Physical and Mental Requirements: Duties of the position require moderate periods of walking and standing. Pushing, pulling, reaching, and bending when involved in patient care. Lifting up to 50 pounds and occasional heavy lifting when moving or supporting patients who may suddenly become weak, helpless, or combative.

LIFTING REQUIREMENTS: Place an ‘X’ next to the statement that best describes the usual lifting activity.

• SEDENTARY Lifting to 10 pounds maximum and occasionally lifting and or carrying small items (files, manuals, binders)
• LIGHT Lifting 20 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects up to 10 pounds

X MEDIUM Lifting 50 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing up to 25 pounds

• HEAVY Lifting 100 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects up to 50 pounds
• VERY HEAVY Lifting objects more than 100 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing 50 pounds or more

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Place an “X” in the column that best describes the physical activities which are required for the position.

DEFINITIONS:

Not Required May be a routine part of the job, but the essential functions can be performed without this activity.

Occasional Activity is needed to perform the essential functions of the job at random intervals.

Frequent Activity is usual and customary part of the essential functions of the job.

Constant Activity is continually occurring and required to perform the essential functions of the job.

BENDING - FREQUENT

KEYING - FREQUENT

HEARING - CONSTANT

REACHING - FREQUENT

SEEING - CONSTANT

SPEAKING - CONSTANT

STANDING - CONSTANT

WALKING - FREQUENT

LIFTING - FREQUENT

CARRYING - FREQUENT

CLIMBING - OCCASIONAL

KNEELING - OCCASIONAL

TASTING - FREQUENT

SMELLING - FREQUENT

PUSHING - FREQUENT

PULLING - FREQUENT

OVERHEAD REACHING - OCCASIONAL