Chief Nursing Officer

JOB SUMMARY: Plans, organizes and directs the provision of patient care services. Supervises nursing department personnel and all functions including developing and maintaining nursing service objectives, standards of care, policy and procedures, and educational in-services. 

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

A. Education: Graduate from an accredited School of Professional Nursing. Bachelors degree in Nursing or equivalent preferred. Masters degree in Nursing is desirable. 

B. Personal Job-Related Skills: Advanced knowledge of nursing theories and practices. Leadership and management abilities and effective oral and written communication skills.  

C. Licensure, Registry or Certification: Registered Nurse currently licensed by the State of Texas. BLS, PALS, TNCC and ACLS required or capable of receiving within 6 months. CEN preferred. 

D. Experience: Prior Work Experience: Five years’ experience as a Professional Registered Nurse in a clinical setting, two years in a nursing managerial or supervisory experience preferred. 

E. Physical and Mental Requirements: Duties of the position require extended periods of walking and standing. Bending, stooping, twisting, reaching and lifting up to 40 pounds. Occasional lifting or supporting patients who may suddenly become weak or helpless. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job without compromising standards of the areas supervised. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities assigned to this job classification. Changes and/or additions may be made as needed. 

A. Plans, organizes and directs the provision of patient care services.

a. Maintains nursing practice that is consistent with the Nurse Practice Act for the State of Texas. 

b. Develops and maintains policy and procedure manuals for each nursing unit. 

c. Maintains current job descriptions for all categories of nursing personnel. 

d. Visits all nursing units, analyzing and evaluating nursing and related services provided to patients.

e. Assumes responsibility for identifying problem areas of patient care and formulates plans of action to solve them.

f. Assures proper handling and emergency care of patients, visitors, and employees involved in accidents while in the building and on the job.

g. Assesses and interprets data on the unborn, newborn, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients’ status to identify requirements relative to their age-specific needs and provides care needed as stipulated in departmental policy. 

h. Provides care appropriate for the unborn, newborn, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients based on demonstrated knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span. 

B. Facilitates favorable relationships within nursing, and with the Medical Staff, and all other hospital departments and seeks input regarding nursing care.

a. Maintains positive and effective working relationships with other departments and the Medical Staff, and with federal, state, and local agencies.

b. Coordinates nursing service activities with other departments.

c. Serves as a consultant on admitting and discharge policies and procedures. 

d. Establishes nursing policy and procedures on the administration and control of medications under the direction of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.

C. Manages department functions and supervises department personnel. 

a. Establishes Nursing Department goals and objectives and evaluates progress toward achievement. 

b. Initiates departmental policies, procedures, and practices consistent with hospital policy.

c. Supervises and coordinates activities including work routine and schedules, and provides input into the selection, hiring, development, evaluation, disciplinary action, and termination of department employees in compliance with hospital policy. 

d. Coordinates department budget preparation and monitors the utilization of approved budgeted resources including supplies, equipment, and adequate staffing levels of nursing.  

e. Assures compliance with federal, state, and other regulations pertaining to nursing services and the provision of patient care in coordination with the hospital Compliance Office. 

D. Provides for Quality and Performance Improvement

a. Develops the department quality and performance improvement plan and determines areas to be monitored with input from the Quality and Risk Intelligence Manager (QRIM). Completes and turns in monthly reports on time to QRIM.

b. Informs department personnel of quality and performance improvement activities at monthly staff meetings and encourages staff to work toward resolution of quality monitors. 

c. Provides reports and results to the hospital Quality and Risk Intelligence Manager. 

d. Submits specific recommendations to immediate supervisor. 

e. Coordinates with the Infection Control Practitioner in maintaining infection control policies and procedures. 

OTHER SIGNIFICANT REQUIREMENTS:

A. Maintains confidentiality utilizing HIPAA guidelines at all times. 

B. Is available to meet with patients and their families or significant others. 

C. Interacts with patients, family members, Medical Staff members and other department managers on a continuous basis. 

D. Follows aseptic procedures and universal precautions with involved in direct patient contact or handling potentially infectious materials. 

E. Follows safety guidelines and policies for the hospital. 

F. Participates in hospital Board meetings to facilitate communication between Nursing and the Board. 

G. Promotes positive interaction of the Hospital with the community by participation in hospital functions such as fundraisers, health fairs and other activities. 

H. Monitors nursing documentation to assure compliance with hospital policy and efforts toward reaching Quality Assurance goals. 

I. Maintains sterility of packs and instruments and operations or supervises operation of autoclave on a daily basis. Assures adequate levels of sterile supplies are available to ER. 

J. In collaboration with Materials Management, maintains adequate supply of appropriate documentation forms and supplies. Maintains contractual agreements with providers of IV pumps and daily operation and maintenance of the cardiac monitoring system. 

K. Documents or oversees documentation of Physician face-to-face time study as needed for annual hospital report. Provides necessary documentation to CFO annually. 

L. Participates in hospital committees including but not limited to: Compliance, Infection Control, Pharmacy and Therapeutics, and Safety. 

M. Assists when needed in daily work of the hospital nursing department. Arrives at hospital as soon as practical (within 20 minute is desired) when called back for Trauma Activation unless out of town. Available for consult by telephone on 24/7 basis to assist staff as needed. 

N. Participates in the orientation of new nursing staff to assure understanding by staff of role and function. May need to be present at unusual hours to complete these orientation tasks. 

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

A. Demonstrate experience functioning as a team player. 

B. Demonstrate written and verbal communication skills, which elicit positive and productive outcomes. 

C. Demonstrate philosophy of caring and compassion for patients, family members, fellows employees and community served by this organization while maintaining mental toughness.

D. Demonstrate commitment to continued self-improvement, honesty, integrity and character, which reflects an atmosphere of professionalism in providing quality work. 

WORK SCHEDULE: 

8:00 am to 5:00 pm; as needed when called.