Director of Nursing-Inpatient Obstetrics

Under the direction of the Chief Nursing Officer@ Jacobi, the Director of Nursing ("DON") will function to collaboratively, plan, organize, direct and evaluate all nursing care delivery and staff practice within the Inpatient Obstetrics Service. The DON is responsible for ensuring safe patient care, staff scheduling, budget monitoring, compliance and adherence to departmental policies and procedures. The DON is expected to participate on hospital and departmental committees. Other responsibilities include the coordination and control of patient flow activities in relationship to appropriate discharges, transfers and admissions, in conjunction with the medical staff, care managers, environmental services and admitting department. Ensures compliance with the NYC Health + Hospitals System guidelines, Institute of Healthcare Improvement, National Patient Safety Goals, rules and regulations of the DOH, CMS and The Joint Commission standards to support, enhance and improve patient care.

Operations

1. Manages all staffing and scheduling activities to maintain adequate daily staffing levels as per patient acuity and census in order to ensure safe quality patient care, in conjunction with the staffing office.
2. Manages the obstetrical inpatient service, staff and personnel activities of the Inpatient Obstetrical Units on a twenty-four (24) hour basis seven (7) days a week.
3. Ensures the coordination and control of patient flow activities to include appropriate discharges, transfers and admissions, in conjunction with the medical staff, care manager, environmental services and admitting department,
4. Manages and maintains service operations in compliance with New York State Department of Health and The Joint Commission standards of nursing practice and patient care.
5. Develops, implements and evaluates unit/service policies, procedures and standards of care for patients and ensures staff compliance to hospital and departmental policies and procedures.
6. Ensures accurate interpretation of the philosophy and objectives of the department of nursing and staffs understanding of the mission and vision of the hospital.
7. Assures communication of all patient care, staffing and employee issues to Director of Nursing with recommendations for corrective action.
8. Maintains a positive collegial relationship with chief of service, attendings and all resident staff
9. Ensures positive interpersonal relationships between the nursing unit staff and all members of the healthcare team and ancillary departments.
10. Participates in the HHC Corporate Compliance program.

Patient Care Management

1. Makes frequent patient care rounds on all shifts to introduce self to patients and their families and to ensure patient satisfaction with their care.
2. Serves as patient advocate and communicates patient satisfaction issues with Patient Relations department.
3. Responsible for upholding patient's rights by maintaining knowledge of health care systems, DOH rules and regulations and The Joint Commission standards.
4. Participates in all aspects of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative and Breastfeeding Programs
5. Ensures that nursing staff provide patient care and patient education specific to the age, growth and development of patient population served.
6. Supervises, educates and evaluates all levels of nursing staff providing patient care on the unit.
7. Collaborates and communicates with the chairperson, medical staff and other health care team members to coordinate the assessment, plan, intervention and evaluation of patients and to execute the multidisciplinary plan of care from admission to discharge.
8. Ensures staffs compliance to initiatives of NYC Health and Hospital Corporation, Institute of Healthcare Improvement, National Patient Safety Goals, rules and regulations of the DOH and CMS and The Joint Commission standards to support, enhance and improve patient care

Fiscal Materials Management

1. In conjunction with the CNO, develops, plans, implements and monitors budget activities of PS and OTPS for patient care unit.
2. Demonstrate cost-effective strategies related to remain within budgetary compliance and plans and organizes nursing personnel in a cost-effective manner
3. Assists with the procurement of equipment and supplies, ensures staff education and competency on use of new technology, supplies and equipment needed for patient care and ensures preventive maintenance of equipment.

Human Resources Management

1. Serves as a role model by providing a positive influence over nursing staff to work together in a common effort to achieve high standards of nursing practice, patient care and satisfaction.
2. Ensures a "Culture of Patient Safety" by establishing a non-punitive and just culture unit environment.
3. Assures staff's knowledge and adherence to hand-washing and infection control guidelines.
4. Provides positive recognition and constructive criticism to guide, direct and influence the value and behavior of others to ensure staff and physician satisfaction.
5. Empowers staff by listening, incorporating feedback, delegating responsibilities and involving staff in decision-making opportunities in an effort towards building the "team" concept, improve staff morale and unit ownership; thus enhancing the unit's overall operation.

Performance Improvement

1. Develops unit-based Pl plans, identifies opportunities for improvement, evaluates patient and staff outcomes and develops and implements corrective action plans and performs quality monitoring to ensure compliance.
2. Sets realistic, measurable unit objective; implements and evaluates program/initiatives to meet goals.
3. Actively involved in all aspects of risk management and performance improvement for assigned area.
4. Defines, maintains, monitors, aggregates and interprets data for staff education and ensures staff articulation of Pl activities, nursing practice standards and patient outcomes by maintaining unit storyboard
5. Is knowledgeable of all hospital-based performance improvement (Breakthrough) activities and shares outcomes with staff.

Education/Orientation

1. Identifies, plans and coordinates for staff educational needs or deficiencies in nursing practice and facilitates opportunities for appropriate learning and remediation.
2. Participates in identifying areas for nursing research and facilitates research projects.
3. In conjunction with Nursing Education plans for positive clinical placement of nursing school affiliations and promotes opportunities for recruitment of new nurses and retention of current staff.
4. Assures clinical competency assessment of nursing staff and appropriate patient care assignment based on level of competency.
5. Monitors and tracks staff attendance at continuing education programs and expiration of specialty certifications.

Interdepartmental Responsibilities:

1. Participates in departmental interdisciplinary committees that influence or determine policies affecting nursing practice.
2. Communicates effectively and appropriately with all patient care departments and hospital personnel
3. Performs responsibilities with a deep commitment to human dignity, respect and basic human rights; and expands this commitment to all working relationship with patients, visitors and fellow employees.
4. Demonstrates the ability to develop liaisons and improve customer relations with medical staff and support services.
5. Communicates and collaborates with other department managers to meet critical success factors related to plan of care, coordination of supplies, equipment.