Director of Nursing Services | ED & Critical Care

The Director of Nursing Services is a Registered Nurse (RN) who is responsible for upholding excellence in the provision of nursing care through the implementation of the nursing practice. The Director is responsible for the administrative, leadership and strategic functions of the Emergency Department and Critical Care. Depending on which service lines the Director oversees, may also be responsible for organization-wide compliance with regulatory requirements. Utilizes professional practice as the foundation for leading nursing practice.

The Director’s decisions and actions are based on ethical principles as outlined by the American Nurses Association. Practices in adherence with the American Nurses Association’s (ANA) Nursing Administration: Scope and Standards of Practice for Nurse Administrators, the ANA’s Code of Ethics, the Oregon State Board of Nursing Practice Act, and within the context of the Nurse Executive Competencies developed by the American Organization of Nurse Leaders (AONL). Exemplifies the principles of the organizational mission and vision statements by committing to a Just Culture, a Reporting Culture, a Learning Culture, and an Engaged Informed Culture.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES – 

Performed majority of the time --

·        The Director partners with the interdisciplinary leadership and care teams to ensure the delivery of safe and quality patient care, enhancing the patient experience and access to care, decreasing the cost of care, and compliance with administrative and clinical policies and procedures.

·        Performs leadership activities to lead the clinical areas in developing and implementing strategic quality and safety initiatives

·        Ensures adherence to regulatory standards compliance, bargaining unit agreements, hospital and clinical standards of performance, and human resource management.

·        Leads others to create an employment environment that supports a safe, knowledgeable, passionate, productive, and engaged staff.

·        Works across the nursing division, and leadership of other clinical functional areas, on key strategic priorities to implement lean methodologies in process improvement work, building a sustainable solution to issues ensuring availability, quality, and effective use of support services to support organizational throughput.

·        Standardizes the work for the areas under their scope. Oversees process improvement activities that enhance throughput, strategic priorities, and success with identified annual key performance indicators, and coaches staff on the use of lean methodologies and tools.

·        Collaborates with the clinical specialty leaders to assess nursing practice and ensure alignment with practice, policy, procedure, and EHR documentation.

·        For applicable departments, collaborates with Case Management to ensure inpatient/observations standards are met and appropriate and timely discharge planning occurs to ensure a safe discharge.

·        Builds strong relationships with interdisciplinary teams, which will assume responsibility and accountability for achieving the mission, financial, operational and quality objectives while remaining compliant to regulatory standards. Establish clearly defined goals and objectives and ensure follow through in a timely manner.

·        Organizational liaison with local community partners to monitor community needs (e.g. if overseeing Emergency Services working collaboratively with local law enforcement and EMS agencies).

·        Collaborates with OHSU and other affiliated partners to enhance current and/or build new programs to maximize our ability to serve the patients in our community, while creating efficiencies that lead to a positive operating margin.

·        Leads teams to create an employment environment that supports a safe, knowledgeable, passionate, productive, and engaged staff.

·        Ensures recruitment and retention strategies are deployed to create loyalty amongst employees.

·        Organization-wide lead in regard to all aspects concerning practices and policies under their scope.

·        Works with ambulatory and provider leaders for strategic growth in all areas they oversee.

·        Additional responsibilities will be applicable based on the specific service lines assigned to the Director.

Performed occasionally but critical to successful performance of the job:

·        Responsible for contributing to the strategic objectives of the organization to ultimately achieve organizational results. Responsible for reviewing goals, assessing progress and making appropriate course corrections.  Collaborates with the CNO on developing the vision, objectives, and strategies that are consistent with the mission, vision, and goals of the region and system.  Evaluate which resources are needed and facilitates the acquisition or allocation of resources where indicated.

·        Responsible for aligning annual work plan with enterprise strategic plan to continually improve the operational and financial performance of the departments and institution.

·        Collaborates with inpatient leaders and outpatient areas that align the service and provide growth for the service line.

·        Leads in supporting diversity, creativity and an environment characterized by a strong ethic of trust, respect, and cooperation. This position requires the ability to work as a collaborative team member on the management team, including building a professional partnership with their OHSU Nursing Leadership partner.

Decision making and budget responsibilities:

·        Involved in managing the operating and capital budgets for areas of responsibility. Aggressively mitigate all variances to budget. Make sound decisions on best use of resources in support of OHSU Health priorities and strategies. Work with other administrative leaders to maintain a fiscally sound, market-leading operating environment that promotes competitive delivery models, generates value, and provides outstanding care. Understand key drivers of financial performance, and manage revenue generation, staffing, and operating expenses to meet or exceed budget.  

·        The Director has the authority to work with physicians and nursing leaders to initiate and make changes in practice standards, processes, and the management systems to ensure optimal, cost-effective healthcare delivery. 

Assigned direct reports:

·        Varies based on assigned service line cost centers, but typically:

o   40+ total employees within span of control across 2 or more clinical cost centers 3+ of which are at the Leader or Manager level and 1+ of which are direct report Managers

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Education:

Required

·         Master’s in Nursing or Healthcare related field.

Preferred

·         N/A

Experience:

Required

·         5+ years of combined progressive clinical and leadership experience in related clinical area(s) of practice.

Preferred

·         Proficiency in the Epic electronic health record.

Licenses, Certifications and/or Registrations:

Required

·         Current, unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse by the Oregon State Board of Nursing.

·         American Heart Association Healthcare Provider BLS.

Preferred

·         Professional certification in nursing leadership.

·         Certification in one pertinent specialty areas of nursing.

Job Related Skills, Abilities and Behaviors:

Required

·         Strong communication skills, teamwork (demonstrated ability to coordinate team and integrate existing teams), and experience in complex organizational environments.

·         Proven track record of management experience related to areas of responsibility and Education as well as experience in working and communicating with physicians.

·         Exhibits effective personal and communication skills and applies them to change management, team building and facilitation of team effectiveness.

·         Exhibits strong collaborative skills in daily interactions and decision-making.

·         Exhibits strong experience in working with community agencies and contacts.

·         Comprehensive knowledge of all services identified with organizational management.

·         Comprehensive knowledge of external health care environment and trends shaping the direction of service line care.

·         Manages change and conflicting priorities to accomplish and maximize opportunities.

·         Demonstrates creative and innovative thought process and able to work in high-risk environment.

·         Demonstrates excellent public speaking skills.

·         Demonstrates knowledge of leadership skills, organizational skills and the nursing process to provide appropriate individualized patient care.

·         Exhibits knowledge of financial management and budget preparation processes.

·         Utilizes computer for data analysis and communication.

·         Demonstrates excellent customer service skills.

Preferred

·         Lean process improvement experience.

·         Bilingual skills a plus.

·         Membership in appropriate professional organization.

Other:

Required

·         Demonstrated understanding of regulatory and compliance standards required for hospital-based areas.

·         Understanding applicable policies, procedures and agreements related to position, department or the organization as a whole.

Preferred

·         N/A