Assistant Chief Nursing Officer - Patient Care

Lemuel Shattuck Hospital, part of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), is seeking a dynamic nursing professional as Assistant Chief Nursing Officer (ACNO), Patient Care. This leadership role offers an opportunity to make a significant impact in the healthcare community by overseeing and optimizing inpatient and outpatient nursing care services at Lemuel Shattuck Hospital. Reporting directly to the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), you will guide a diverse team of clinical and psychiatric nursing professionals across multiple specialized departments, ensuring that patient care meets the highest standards of quality and safety. You will also work closely with various state agencies, including the Department of Mental Health (DMH), Department of Developmental Services (DDS), and Department of Corrections (DOC), to enhance service coordination and patient outcomes.

As a key figure in the hospital’s patient care services division, you will influence policies, drive nursing performance improvements, and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements. Your expertise will support interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure cost-effective, evidence-based care. This role demands strong leadership and communication skills, as you will actively engage with staff, administration, and external stakeholders to foster a positive work environment and promote the continued development of the nursing staff. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced nursing leader to contribute to a hospital dedicated to exceptional patient care.

 Schedule: Monday-Friday 8-4:30PM with Weekends Off

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

• Ensure nursing care meets established standards and comply with current regulations by regularly reviewing and updating policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with Medical Staff to evaluate and enhance patient care services, acting as a liaison for seamless communication and coordination.
• Stay current on nursing trends, technologies, and regulations, and assess the impact of legislative and regulatory decisions on nursing practice.
• Establish and implement best practices in patient safety to achieve optimal quality and cost-effective services.
• Monitor and adjust staffing levels based on patient acuity, census, and available resources, ensuring evidence-based staffing practices.
• Provide advisory support to nurse managers and staff to resolve patient care issues, offering guidance on clinical and operational functions.
• Lead and participate in performance improvement initiatives, patient care assessments, and joint commission compliance to ensure positive outcomes.
• Provide guidance and direction to managers in clinical and operation functions, facilitating positive outcomes and growth.
• Promote leadership development among managers by delegating tasks, setting realistic goals, and ensuring timely completion of projects.
• Conduct performance evaluations, oversee agency personnel usage, and monitor overtime within budget constraints, ensuring labor relations are maintained.
• Collaborate on budget development for nursing units, tracking hours per patient day (HPPD), controlling costs, and investigating variances to ensure financial efficiency.
• Foster interdisciplinary communication, promote a positive image of the nursing division, and address patient and staff concerns to ensure optimal public relations.
• Represent the Nursing Department and the organization in professional and community groups, ensuring staff demonstrate professionalism, courtesy, and cooperation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven experience in an acute healthcare setting including knowledge of the principals and practices of management, especially planning, organizing, directing, motivating, controlling and decision-making.