Department Manager Nursing Job Opening

SUMMARY OF THE JOB

• Manages the administrative, fiscal, human resources, and patient care aspects of designated areas. Assumes 24-hour accountability as appropriate to service line. Contributes to and supports the hospital’s mission, strategic goals and policies and procedures. Demonstrates knowledge of and integrates the use of evidence-based outcomes for nursing practice. Integrates principles of growth and development in directing/providing care appropriate to the ages served.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Job Duties include the following, other duties may be assigned:

  • The Nursing Department Manager adheres to and implements the American Nurses Association Standards of Practice and Standards of Performance as identified by:

    • Assessment

    • Problems/Diagnosis

    • Identification of Outcomes

    • Planning

    • Implementation

    • Evaluation

    • Quality of Care and Administrative Practice

    • Performance Appraisal

    • Performance Knowledge

    • Performance Environment

    • Ethics

    • Collaboration

    • Research

    • Resource Utilization

  • The Nursing Department Manager also adheres to and implements the American Nurses Association Bill of Rights by establishing and maintaining workplace expectations and environments which support sound professional nursing practice.

• Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

  • OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP. Communicates the organization's vision and values to be carried out in the day-to-day activities throughout Deaconess. Effective Leadership depends upon the successful performance of the following leadership competencies:

    • Directs the operation of the unit. Leads and coordinates key unit-based functional activities to support department objectives and organizational goals.

    • Demonstrates the ability to communicate Deaconess' mission, vision, behavioral performance standards and goals to all staff.

    • Provides leadership and guidance to other leaders and staff in goal setting, problem solving, resource management and outcome achievement.

    • Defines performance objectives and productivity metrics for the department and assesses the level of competence of staff in a timely manner.

    • Demonstrates the ability to cope and manage change and stressful situations, as well as help others to do the same.

    • Collaborates with other departments to create systems and problem solve ongoing issues that impact department/organizational goals. Demonstrates communication and facilitation skills for consensus and team building.

    • Demonstrates ability to make decisions using sound judgment.

  • NURSING PRACTICE & PERFORMANCE. Clearly and consistently defines, interprets, communicates and maintains performance standards as related to all staff members in department. Provides direction and guidance to others regarding practice, serves as a resource and mentor.

    • Influences improvements in practice setting by maintaining current standards and improvements in practices setting by maintaining current standards and responsibility for self-development.

    • Demonstrates knowledge of usual patient population, related needs, required services and trends in area of practice. Uses this knowledge to initiate new/revised patient programs, services and/or approaches to care.

    • Ensures quality patient care by managing clinical nursing practice and patient care delivery that support optimal patient outcomes. Initiates face-to-face discussion with patients/family and physicians to identify satisfaction with care and opportunities for improvement.

    • Maintains own clinical knowledge base and ensures staff maintains competencies outlined in the performance appraisal.

    • Ensures the development and implementation of an educational plan for identified staff needs related to patient population

    • Ensures institutional compliance with professional, regulatory and government standards of care are met by holding the licensed RN staff accountable to the state Nurse Practice Act, ANA Professional Nursing Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.

  • QUALITY, SAFETY & COMPLIANCE. Creates an environment for organizational performance that supports quality and safety improvements and adheres to applicable laws and compliance regulations.

    • Translates the organizations initiatives into realistic department goals and objectives that support Deaconess’ mission, vision and goals.

    • Utilizes the quality process and best practices to improve clinical operation of the unit by use of guidelines, standards and EBP to support a care delivery system that promotes quality patient outcomes and a safe patient environment, utilizing data and information to continually improve overall unit operations.

    • Executes the plan in the timeline established and tracks progress of action plan items for specified strategies.

    • Participates in decisions related to documentation policies, resources, processes, and systems (ANA Principles of Nursing Documentation 2010).

    • Identifies risk or the potential for risk or uncertainty by removing silos between internal and external entities.

    • Communicates or disseminates Deaconess Performance indicators to staff, and solicits input for corrective action if appropriate.

    • Ensures unit compliance with professional, regulatory and government standards of care inclusive of monitoring and use of core measure reports, NDNQI data, other clinical indicator reports appropriate to patient populations for unit.

    • Monitors customer satisfaction and seeks ways to continually improve customer satisfaction for unit.

    • Leads quality performance improvement initiatives; demonstrates sound project management skills by accomplishing six sigma training.

    • Provides structure to ensure the staff use of Midas for incident reporting and follow up regarding patient incidents that require risk management follow up.

  • BUILDING CUSTOMER LOYALTY. Determines requirements, needs, expectations and preferences of staff, physicians, other customers, and works to differentiate our organization from others providing similar services.

    • Utilizes information and feedback from various sources such as: satisfaction surveys, rounding, opinion tools, and community assessments to build employee, physician and patient loyalty.

    • Listens to the voice of staff, physicians and other customers to identify opportunities/innovation to enhance retention, sustainability, and strengthen relationships.

    • Accurately identifies real/potential problems affecting the service and implements solutions with follow-through, communication and service recovery.

    • Provides timely follow up on survey responses, complaints, and staff concerns. Identifies trends and corrective action needed.

  • HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT & WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT. Engages, manages, and develops staff to utilize their full potential in alignment with mission, vision, and strategic initiatives.

    • Demonstrates effective communication skills by communicating in a direct, open, honest manner. Provides staff with timely feedback. Effectively disseminates information about organizational initiatives and the expectations of the staff in relation to the initiatives.

    • Demonstrates a commitment to a healthy work environment by modeling the desired behaviors and encouraging those in others.

    • Monitors individual nursing practice and the delegation of nursing responsibilities based on relationship of the patient’s needs to the staff’s job description, competency, and the Nursing practice and performance (ANA Principles for Delegation 2005).

    • Seeks feedback on ways to improve his or her personal skills, and leadership abilities.

    • Consistently and fairly administers Human Resources and other polices to build credibility and trust of staff as well as compliance with applicable laws.

    • Provides support and guidance to enhance staff development by assisting staff with the identification and achievement of professional growth opportunities. Utilizes the performance appraisal in a fair manner and assist the staff with developing career goals.

    • Acts as a role model for staff, mentors and coaches staff and peers to achieve professional career goals. Creates a supportive environment that allows staff to take risks to further develop.

    • Makes self visible to the staff by providing opportunities to meet with staff, routine rounds on the unit and available office hours.

    • Handles conflict and the resolution of conflict in a timely and appropriate manner.

    • Provides timely follow up with staff; treats staff in a fair, consistent manner yet recognizes individual differences in staff.

    • Monitors staff satisfaction quarterly and implements initiatives to continually improve staff satisfaction.

    • Ensures a qualified workforce through effective hiring, orientation, education and support programs; assures demonstrated continued competence.

  • FISCAL & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT. Responsible for effective and efficient fiscal management of department operations to ensure proper utilization of organizational and financial resources.

    • Recommends ways to reduce expenditures and enhance revenues without compromising quality of services or negatively impacting other departments.

    • Adheres to procedures regarding the acquisition of, and payment for goods and services as evidence by appropriate and timely processing of requisitions and invoices.

    • Demonstrates financial competency by effectively preparing, planning and executing budgetary standards for human resources and the environment for the unit based on both patient care outcomes and nurse outcomes (ANA Principles for Nurse Staffing, 2000).

    • Develops, monitors and manages operating budget for unit.

    • Monitors financial performance to ensure it meets budgeted revenue/expense ratios

    • Demonstrates sound operational skills by assuring 24 hour coverage for the unit, maintaining budgetary standards and effective use and appropriate utilization of all resources

    • Coordinates and monitors the development of the annual operating budget for the unit and submits to the department director unit requests for new and replacement capital needs and equipment requirements.

      
      

• Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in nursing is required.

  • Required to maintain competency and continuing education in area of specialization and in professional practice.

  • Five years hospital clinical nursing experience recommended.

  • One year of nursing management experience required.

  • Demonstrates leadership, creativity and management skills.

  • Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills necessary to interact in a professional manner with customers.

• Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

  • Current RN licensure in the State of Indiana. Basic Life Support: Health Care Provider, within six months of hire.

• Language Skills

  • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information to Administration, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

• Mathematical Skills

  • Ability to apply mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, proportions, and data analysis.

• Reasoning Ability

  • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Requires initiative, judgment and dependability in completing work assignments. Displays well-developed organizational skills, priority setting and problem-solving techniques.

• Computer Skills

  • This job requires computers and systems competency in the following areas: Enters data, retrieves data, assembles and organizes data, uses and analyzes data. Integrates diverse sources of data.