Chief Nursing Officer

POSITION TITLE: Chief Nursing Officer

REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

Organizes and administers areas of Nursing Services to attain the facility’s objectives established by the governing authority.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Organizes programs, policies and procedures that are developed to assess, evaluate and meet the needs of patients of inpatient psychiatric services, psychiatric outpatient clinics and transitional psychiatric programs.
• Plans, supervises and coordinate(s) care given by RN, LVN, LPT, and other mental health workers.
• Plans and assigns staffing rations based on patient needs, acuity, staff competency and regulatory requirements
• Implements standards of nursing practice in the behavioral healthcare setting, annually reviewing and revising as necessary to reflect changes in nursing practice.
• Addresses and supports cultural practices as long as such practices do not harm others or interfere with the planned course of therapy.
• Clear, concise and current written policies and procedures are available to assist the staff and minimize risk factors.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality.
• Serves as the internal Infection Control liaison to the corporate Infection Prevention consultant.
• Perform and direct surveillance and related activities, including the investigation of clusters of infections above expected levels and single cases of unusual health care associated infections, ongoing collection and review of data as well as required follow-up and collaboration/cooperation with the Infection Preventionist.
• Provide consultation on surveillance measures and infectious diseases as required.
• Monitor implementation of infection control policies, procedures, and practices.
• Participate in the development and implementation of improved patient care procedures, employee health activity, and infection control in-service education.
• Assist with verification of required reporting to public health authorities.
• Provide information and reports relative to all aspects of the infection control program as may be required by the Safety/Infection Control Committee is reported to the PI and MEC
• Provides oversight of the infection surveillance, environmental rounds, hand hygiene audits, and immunization program performed by staff in the Nursing Department.
• Recommends modifications, additions or deletions of personnel policies to ensure reasonable hours and acceptable working conditions to provide patient care coverage.
• Initiates and participates in problem solving, policy forming conferences for psychiatric patient care services. Maintains close coordination with all departments to ensure continuity and collaboration of services.
• Participates with the Governing Body, management, medical staff and clinical leaders in the facility's decision-making process.
• Plans and recommends to CEO new facilities or equipment or modifications thereto needed to provide patient care.
• Serves as a member of professional staff committees in matters pertaining to patient care.
• Participates in the Executive Finance, Board of Trustees and Medical Staff departmental meetings.
• Plans and coordinates with the Chief Financial Officer, utilizing the respective service managers for planning the budgeting requirements for staff, performance of work, supplies and equipment.
• Responsible for maintaining appropriate staffing levels based on patient volumes and acuity. Ensures payroll accuracy and approvals on a weekly basis.
• Responsible for cost controls to ensure maximum effectiveness of funds expended from approved departmental budgets.
• Reviews and approves invoices for expenses as needed.
• Implements an effective, ongoing program to measure, assess and improve the quality of nursing care delivered to psychiatric patients.
• Ensures each nursing department's performance improvement program interfaces with and supports the nursing department performance improvement program.
• Assures that nursing leaders review monthly performance improvement compliance with established indicators and sees that corrective actions are taken when negative outcomes are identified.
• Collaborates with facility leaders in developing, implementing, reviewing, revising and monitoring facility wide performance improvement activities.
• Facilitates the patient's access to the appropriate level of care and setting.
• Performs related duties, as requested.
• Upholds the Organization's ethics and customer service standards

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Requirements

Knowledge and Experience:

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• Master’s Degree in Healthcare Management or Nursing, or related field.
• Seven years of experience working as a psych nurse, five of which are in a Director-level or higher role required.
• Current California State License as a Registered Nurse.
• Current CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) certification (or obtained within 30 days of hire).
• Current CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) certification (or obtained within the 30 days of hire).

Skills and Abilities:

• Maintains confidentiality of patients at all times
• Sensitivity to and willingness to interact with persons of various social, cultural, economic and educational backgrounds.
• Proficiency with software and/or equipment (Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.)
• Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize projects, work relatively independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to work with people with a variety of background and educational levels.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Good judgment, problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively as well as possessing the skills to lead, influence, and motivate others.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, expanding organization.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, this position is frequently required to do the following:

• Use standard office equipment and access, input, and retrieve information from a computer. Use computer keyboard with manual and finger dexterity and wrist-finger speed sufficient to perform repetitive actions efficiently for extended periods of time.
• Communicate effectively in person or via telephone in a manner which can be understood by those with whom the person is speaking, including a diverse population.
• Give and follow verbal and written instructions with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Perform complex mental functions and basic arithmetic functions; interpret complex laws, regulations, and policies; collect, interpret, and/or analyze complex data and information.
• Vision: see details of objects at close range.
• Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Reach forward, up, down, and to the side.
• Sit or stand for minimum periods of one hour at a time and come and go from the work area repeatedly throughout the day.
• Lift up to five (5) pounds.

Benefits

Eligible employees receive holiday premium pay, health, dental & vision insurance, 401(k), healthcare & dependent care spending accounts, generous paid time off, life insurance, company-paid short and long-term disability coverage. Whether you are a health care worker looking for a customer service position or a professional looking for a career, the opportunities are abundant at Santa Rosa Behavioral Healthcare Hospital.