Director of Nursing (Adolescent/Specialty Populations)

The Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH), a state-of-the-art facility under the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH), is actively seeking a dynamic and visionary Director of Nursing (DON) for our Adolescent Continuing Care Units (ACCU). This role specializes in Adolescent/Specialty Populations and performs a pivotal role in shaping the nursing practice, education, and professional development within this critical department. Your leadership will drive the implementation of evidence-based practices, ensuring strict compliance with DMH, Joint Commission, and CMS standards. Emphasizing a Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed, Recovery-Oriented approach, you will lead efforts to minimize the use of seclusion and restraint.

Working in collaboration with the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), you will lead recruitment efforts, ensuring optimal staffing levels are maintained. Additionally, your expertise will be instrumental in addressing workforce development and labor-related challenges, interfacing with EOHHS human resources to uphold the principles of Bargaining Unit contracts. In moments of acute patient care events, your guidance will provide the necessary support and debriefing required for staff members.

"Salary may be adjusted above the range for qualified applicants"

Please note (requirements): This position requires the selected candidate to be a Registered Nurse (RN) licensed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

•          Oversee the administration and management of the Adolescent/Specialty nursing practice, setting and monitoring professional standards.
•          Supervise and evaluate nursing staff, ensuring professional implementation of nursing practice at all levels.
•          Collaborate with department heads, coordinating efforts with DMH Adolescent Services and DESI/DYS/DCF.
•          Coordinate with key committees and medical management structures, including pharmacy & therapeutics, medical records, infection control, QMPCA, EOC, and other required hospital committees.
•          Manage staff to ensure patient safety and direct overtime effectively.
•          Lead recruitment efforts for nursing in conjunction with CNO, maintaining adequate staffing levels.
•          Address workforce development and labor-related issues in collaboration with the CNO, interfacing with EOHHS human resources for fair application of Bargaining Unit contracts.
•          Provide oversight of acute patient care events, facilitating staff debriefing.
•          Develop and recommend policies to ensure nursing practice meets Joint Commission, CMS, and DMH standards.
•          Foster a Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed, Recovery-Oriented approach in care delivery, minimizing the use of seclusion and restraint.
•          Implement evidence-based practices and maintain compliance with DMH, Joint Commission, and CMS standards.
•          Partner with the CNO in protocol development, including hiring and conducting comprehensive performance evaluations for the Nursing Department.
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