DIRECTOR INPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC NURSING SERVICES

The Director Psychiatric Nursing Services is responsible for the overall administration of patient care for the patients requiring behavioral health nursing.  The Director Psychiatric Nursing Services plans, implements and evaluates delivery of overall nursing care to patients. The Director Psychiatric Nursing Services provides managerial support by providing supervision and evaluation of all behavioral health nursing personnel.  Included in these responsibilities are strategic planning, program administration, and development; and the Director Psychiatric Nursing Services contributes to the hospital through commitment to nursing goals and the supervision of clinical staff, developing a relationship with ED, SBHU and Hospitalist providers for implementation of best practices in care and management of psychiatric patients.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supports and promotes the mission and values of Covenant Health Ministry.
• Performs as liaison between patient and provider; communicating information and needs appropriately
• Provides leadership and direction in accordance with Hospital guidelines and consistent with nursing and organization philosophies.
• Provides clinical support for nursing, counseling, patient support and administrative staff.
• Ensures the hospital meets and maintains all federal, state, local and accrediting bodies’ regulations and standards in psychiatric patient care.
• Defines the philosophy, goals and objectives of the treatment under the direction of hospital administration, VP PCS/CNO.
• Promotes and develops positive, professional interaction with senior management, peers and staff through effective written and verbal communication, listening and providing feedback in times of organizational change
• Collaborates with medical and clinical staff in coordinating and managing the medical and psychosocial treatment plans
• Participates in assessing and reassessing the needs of the patient
• Supervises all patient care and sets guidelines for accurately reporting and recording of patient symptoms, reactions, and progress
• Interprets the nursing and treatment needs of the patient to nonclinical staff assigned to the patient
• Develops processes to audit and coordinate ongoing education to ensure all staff are trained on proper documentation of all aspects of the patient’s care
• Establishes a compassionate environment by providing emotional and psychological support to patients, families and friends
• Maintains patient privacy and confidentiality; and protects operations by keeping patient information confidential
• Operates within ethical standards
• Communicates and reviews Hospital policies for accuracy
• Assures quality of care by adhering to therapeutic standards, measuring health outcomes against patient care goals and regulatory standards
• As needed, and using approved methods, assists in safely placing patients in seclusion or restraints; observes suicide/seclusion precautions; including physical requirements for physical holds and safe transport of patients.
• Protects patients and employees by adhering to safety standards; infection-control policies and protocols; medication administration and storage procedures; and controlled substance regulations
• Collaborates with the medical directors of Senior Behavioral Health, Acute Inpatient and Emergency Departments.
• Collaborates with tele-psych. Providers in developing a solid plan of care for positive psychosocial outcomes
• Collaborates with Social workers, care coordination and nursing in developing outcome measures.
• Renews licenses and certifications in a timely manner
• Participates in individual, group, and family psychotherapy and educational seminars as appropriate
• Participates in daily MDRs on inpatient units and rounds in the emergency department daily.
• Provides feedback to supervisor on ongoing basis regarding concerns, improvements, changes, etc.
• Serves on assigned committees, councils, taskforces, and attends all hospital, provider and staff meetings as assigned/required.
• Provides for professional growth and development of staff through identification of needs, development of individual training plans and participation in training programs
• Monitors personnel performance on a continuous basis
• Participates in performance evaluations and career interviews.
• Supports and participates in Quality Improvement Plan; this plan is based on the identified clinical performance issues, internal clinical audit findings
• Prepares and disseminates written reports and completes required follow up on activities in collaboration with quality team.
• Provides feedback to Senior Director of Nursing, VP PCS/CNO and leadership on an ongoing basis of concerns, improvements, changes, etc.
• Engages and supports initiatives focused on Patient Experience.
• Able to lead groups in focused projects
• Respond to all Code Grey responses
• Collaborate with employee health RN and Director of Security (emergency preparedness/management) on reduction of workplace violence.
• Other duties as assigned

Job Requirements

• This is a full-time position, and hours of work and days are subject to the needs of the Program which operates on a 24 hour; seven days a week basis.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential core function satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, experience, and ability necessary to perform this job. 

Education and Experience

• Current, valid New Hampshire Registered Nurse License required
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS) required
• BSN required
• Master’s prepared RN preferred or enrolled.
• Graduate of an accredited Nursing Degree Program strongly preferred
• 3-5 years of psychiatric nursing experience with demonstrated ability in administrative management, healthcare setting preferred
• CPI de-escalation training preferred

An equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed above may be substituted for the above education and experience requirements.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

Must possess the physical and mental abilities to perform the tasks normally associated with this position that involves a combination of sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, and reaching. Occasional lifting/carrying up to 25 lbs.  Some stress related to high level of responsibility for quality care.

Americans with Disabilities Statement

Must be able to perform all essential functions of this position with reasonable accommodation if disabled.

Covenant Health Mission Statement

We are a Catholic health ministry, providing healing and care for the whole person, in service to all in our communities.

Our Core Values:

Compassion

We show respect, caring and sensitivity towards all, honoring the dignity of each person, especially the poor, vulnerable and suffering.

Integrity

We promote justice and ethical behavior, and responsibly steward our human, financial and environmental resources.

Collaboration

We work in partnership, dialogue and shared purpose to create healthy communities.

Excellence

We deliver all services with the highest level of quality, while seeking creative innovation.

Applicants, employees and former employees are protected from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, and genetic information (including family medical history).