Interim Director of Nursing (Sacramento)

POSITION TITLE: Interim Director of Nursing

REPORTS TO (TITLE): System Chief Nursing 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 coordinates care given by Registered Nurse, Licensed Vocational Nurse, Licensed Psychiatric Technician, and other mental health workers.
• Plans and assigns staffing ratios 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.
• Ensures 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.
• 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.
• Coordinates closely with all departments to ensure infection prevention and control practices are thoroughly executed.
• Plans and recommends new equipment or modifications needed to provide quality patient care.
• Serves as a member of professional staff committees in matters pertaining to patient care.
• Plans and coordinates utilizing the respective service managers for planning the budgeting requirements for staff, performance of work, supplies and equipment.
• Responsible for cost controls to ensure maximum effectiveness of funds expended from approved departmental budgets.
• 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.

Requirements

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• 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.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Master's degree in Nursing or a related field with at least one year of experience in administration, or two Baccalaureate Degrees in Nursing or a related field with at least two years of experience in Nursing Administration, or at least four years of experience in Nursing