Chief Nursing Officer, VP of Inpatient Nursing

Position:

Defines and articulates the philosophy of care, provides strategic direction, achieves operational efficiencies, implements new clinical product lines and coordinates functional activities across the continuum of care.  Responsible to support the System’s vision and corporate goals. Has overall responsibility for all in-patient nursing services at Waterbury Hospital. Has matrixed responsibility for nursing functions within off-site locations.  Accountable for assuring that nursing practice is standardized throughout the system.
 

Responsibilities/Qualifications: 

• Demonstrated experience in evaluating customer service data, developing, implementing and evaluating the plan to achieve and maintain high customer service scores.
• Working knowledge/competence with national standards (i.e., TJC, Dept. of Health, Licensing regulations). Ability to make high-level strategic and complicated decisions and assume responsibility for such judgment.  Excellent skills in communication, collaboration, negotiation and teamwork.
• Leadership skills in motivating individuals and developing group cohesiveness. Skills in coaching, teaching, mentoring and problem solving.
• Ability to develop, implement and manage financial plans.
• Ability to work effectively in a unionized environment
• Ability to balance budgets, analyze reports and develop business plans. Flexible to respond and adapt to an environment that is rapidly changing.
• Ability to utilize sound interpersonal skills when interacting with all levels of internal and external customers taking into consideration cultural, linguistic and age of the customer.
• Maintains confidential information (HIPAA). Demonstrated customer service skills.
• Ability to utilize responsive customer service skills when interacting and taking into consideration cultural background, linguistic skills and age of the customer.
• Ability to work cooperatively with peers and other disciplines.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with peers and other interdisciplinary teams.
• Skills in organization, use of technology, and priority setting.

Competencies: 

• Has administrative responsibility for all areas where nursing care is delivered
• Participates in developing hospital-wide patient care programs, policies and standards.
• Develops implements and evaluates a hospital-wide plan for provision of nursing care.
• Participates in developing hospital mission statements and provides input into strategic and operational planning.
• Assures that all standards for nursing care and practice are consistent with current safety and legal requirements as established for the facility by state and voluntary regulatory agencies.
• Develops, implements, monitors and evaluates a budgetary process for nursing that facilitates appropriate and effective allocation of human and material resources.
• Requires Directors and Managers use established standards as a base of operation for the Department of Nursing and all program development.
• Demonstrates extensive knowledge of TJC requirements and directs the Nursing Management Team in the implementation of these regulatory expectations.
• Assumes overall responsibility for developing, implementing and evaluating a program of quality improvement at the department and nursing unit level. Promotes nursing participating in integrated programs in specialty areas.
• Directs Directors in the use of Performance Improvement data for continuous improvement of system function, staff performance and patient care.
• Assures care givers are competent to assess, treat and care for patients in a manner appropriate to the age of the patient.
• Assumes overall responsibility for developing, implementing, and evaluating a program of clinical staff development for professional and non-professional staff, which comprehensively includes orientation, in-service, and continuing education.
• Utilizes data from various sources (census, acuity, satisfaction surveys, QI findings, etc.) to determine overall staffing requirements for the Department and develop, implement and evaluate a Master Staffing Plan for the employment and deployment of nursing personnel.
• Maintain staffing plans to meet state ratio guidelines and expectations.
• Works with Human Resources to develop, implement and evaluate a program of recruitment, retention, and recognition for staff and managers.
• Assumes responsibility for developing, implementing and evaluating a program for validating staff competency based on licensure validation and competency testing.
• Demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication abilities and create mechanisms within the Department to facilitate effective interdepartmental and intradepartmental communication.
• Demonstrates ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with staff, clinical managers, directors, union leaders, peer group, medical staff and administration via one-on-one interactions, formal and informal group work, scheduled and unscheduled meetings, and committee work.
• Demonstrates leadership ability in providing direction, support, and supervision to staff and members of the nursing management team.
• Holds nursing leadership team accountable for roles and responsibilities.
• Actively defines self-learning needs and identifies methods for maintaining competency.
• Maintains ongoing relationship with the hospital community to identify healthcare needs, build pertinent patient care programs and interpret professional nursing practice to the consumer.
• Actively participates in researching and applying methods, technologies and information systems to support and improve nursing practice and care.
• Represents (or delegates representatives) for nursing on all appropriate Medical Staff Committees.
• Represents the Nursing Department on Patient Care Committee of the Board of Directors/ Advisory Board.
• Participates at the Board of Directors/Advisory Board meetings
• Maintains visibility throughout the hospital periodically covering all shifts, all units.
• Participates in designated hospital committees.

Qualities:

• Motivation, professional accountability, self-starter, outcomes-oriented, and commitment to lifelong learning.

Education and Experience:

• A graduate of an accredited school of nursing. Master’s degree in Nursing, Business, Health Care Administration, or other health care related field.
• Licensure: Active RN licensure in CT required
• Ten to fifteen years of progressive management experience.  Strong hands-on clinical background. Experience leading in a union environment preferred.  Experience working in for-profit setting also preferred.
• Demonstrated competence with a minimum of 10 years’ relevant managerial experience.