Chief Nursing Officer/Chief Clinical Officer

Description

JOB PURPOSE:

The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) is the principal executive staff advisor on matters concerning the scope of patient care services and clinical policy (specifically related to the provision of nursing care and services and nurse staffing standards), nursing policy, and the availability and utilization of nursing resources. Dual-hatted as the Chief Clinical Officer (CCO,) is also responsible for guiding and overseeing all clinical operations within the organization, including the direct oversight of patient safety, performance improvement, infection control and prevention to include wound care, clinical education and staff development, and maintaining compliance with applicable state and federal regulatory standards and maintaining the hospitals in a continual state of survey readiness. This position will serve as a clinical voice for clinical strategy and program development decisions in support of the company’s mission, vision, core values and strategic priorities. This position partners to develop and execute strategies that enhance clinical effectiveness, improve patient outcomes, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Coordinate the development of clinical philosophy and practice standards across essential disciplines within the organization consistent with the company mission and communicate the philosophy and strategies to executive, management, clinical and direct support staff.
• Provide clinical, operational and strategic leadership necessary to resolve problems related to clinical competencies to ensure highly effective and efficient care delivery that reduces cost, improves safety and quality of outcomes and delivers excellent patient experience.
• Demonstrate understanding of Critical Access Hospital (CAH); Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations and requirements; as well as Nurse Compact Licensure State policies and scopes of practice. Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Lead the clinical team(s), coordinate special projects, monitor outcomes and program integrity, and ensure nursing leaders and departmental managers have the resources to meet project goals.
• Develop, implement, monitor and perform ongoing evaluation of clinical programs that add and expand integrated services.
• Support and actively engage in an ongoing, proactive program for identifying patient safety risks and for reducing nursing/ healthcare errors. Be an active part of the company’s risk management program and participate in the determination, definition, and periodic evaluation of the quality and patient safety program.
• Identify gaps of service and implement a plan of action with measurable outcomes.
• Provide leadership and oversight over the development of a competency-based clinical development and training programs for clinical staff.
• Assist with establishing requirements for recruitment, selection and placement of personnel in home office clinical department.
• Coach employees, build a team, resolve conflicts, and facilitate group interaction to achieve optimal results and ensure staff compliance with policies and procedures.
• Evaluate clinical team performance and recommends promotion and disciplinary actions of the department using mutually agreed upon, measurable goals for each employee.
• Develop and mentor nursing leaders within the company to include the CNOs and nurse managers at the hospitals to ensure a culture of collaborative decision making.
• Provide oversight for pharmaceutical services to ensure compliance with all state and federal regulations.
• Ensure the presence of an effective nursing peer review program.
• Represent the company at the community level by attending networking and educational opportunities and promoting the positive reputation of programs as needed.
• Delegate authority and responsibility as appropriate, empowering team members to execute their responsibilities.
• Drive program and project risk analysis and develops solutions to a variety of complex problems.
• Develop and support internal controls to ensure that policies and operating procedures are followed, necessary controls are effective and efficient.
• Performs under minimal supervision with accountability for specific goals and objectives.
• Demonstrates problem solving, leadership, conflict management, and team building skills to ensure a productive work environment and achievement of goals.
• Enhances department and organization reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; explores opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
• Travels to CAHs and outpatient clinics at least quarterly with the goal of assessing, mentoring, and strengthening relationships with the home office.
• Executive staff advisor to the COO/CEO for other non-nursing hospital personnel and services under his/her supervision and authority, with the associated quality management responsibilities as noted above (e.g., dietary, PT/OT, RT, ED, Surgery)
• Collaborate with General Operations Department to assist in developing and implementing operational and strategic plans; meeting business and clinical objectives; supporting/maximizing current business activities, future growth and provision of quality patient care.
• Engages in collaboration and coordination including, but not limited to, the following:
  • CMO - medical staff selection; credentialing and payor enrollment; medical staff onboarding; clinical service line development; ongoing and focused professional practice evaluations; risk management processes, quality standards.
  • CMO, COO and hospital leadership in the review of serious events requiring root-cause analysis or failure mode and effects analysis. Disseminates lessons learned and process improvement plans.
  • Partner with the COO to strategize and drive process improvements focused on innovative care delivery and/or operational models designed to improve clinical services, outcomes, and patient safety.
• Partner with hospital CNOs to improve patient care services; performance management; clinical program development; student clinical site affiliation agreements; nursing float pool.
• In the role as the CNO, serve as a voting member of the Executive Medical Staff Committee; a voting member of the credentials committee with responsibility for review and concurrence with scope of practice and privileges for nursing personnel; and executive of the nursing peer review committee with authority to reduce or appropriately limit the scope of practice of any nursing staff member whose competence, quality of care, behavior/conduct threatens the health or safety of any patient, employee, or other individual until the matter is investigated and resolved.
• In the role as CCO, serve on Compliance Committee to oversee and ensure adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS

• The individual must support the mission, vision, and goals of Avem Health Partners and serve as a role model within the company.
• Exhibit positive customer service behavior in every day work interactions.
• Demonstrate a courteous and respectful attitude to internal workforce and external customers.
• Communicate accurately and appropriately; facilitates transparency at all levels.
• Handle difficult situations in a discreet and professional manner.
• Hold self-accountable for professional practice.
• Participate in performance improvement activities utilizing principles to support and improve departmental goals.
• Demonstrate knowledge of unit goals and is active in committees and projects to achieve these goals.
• Keep current with literature regarding changing practices, interventions and best practices.
• Assume responsibility for seeking out educational and professional opportunities for personal learning needs and growth as well as meeting mandatory education requirements.
• Act as a preceptor as requested.
• Demonstrate excellent work attendance and actively participate in a variety of meetings and training sessions as required.
• Adhere to the Avem Health Partners Code of Conduct and Standards of Behavior. Complies with established policies and procedures and all health and safety requirements.

EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Master’s degree preferred.
• At least 7 to 10 years’ experience in senior leadership.
• Proven experience in leading clinical programs in a corporate setting.
• Strong clinical operations experience with thorough understanding of cross functional clinical processes including clinical supply, data management, biostatistics, and medical writing.
• Excellent leadership skills with demonstrated ability to effectively lead in a changing environment.
• Demonstrated skill in identifying and resolving problems, exercising initiative, judgment, critical thinking, and decision making.
• Skill in planning, organizing, prioritizing, delegating, and supervising.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated team management and interpersonal skills.
• Familiarity with quality and process improvement methodology such as LEAN or Six-Sigma.
• Consistently demonstrates a professional, self-directed, mature, disciplined, and tactful approach to department responsibilities.

CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE:

• Valid driver’s license.
• Unencumbered RN license from a Nursing License Compact State.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Such accommodations must be requested by the employee/applicant to be considered.
• This job requires visual abilities, auditory abilities, must be intact to perform duties.

Qualifications