Director of Nursing (Santa Rosa)

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.

• Plans and conducts departmental meetings, house supervisors meetings and in-service education programs for staff and maintains records of all meetings.

• 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

Knowledge and Experience:

• A registered nurse who has a master's degree in psychiatric or mental health nursing, or its equivalent from a school of nursing accredited by the National League for Nursing, or be qualified by education and experience in the care of the mentally ill.

• Minimum of two years’ experience working in psychiatric Nursing preferred.

• Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of California.

• Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification (or obtained within 30 days of hire).

• Current NCI equivalent as approved by the Chief Nursing Officer (or obtained within the first 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.