This position is responsible for managing all clinical functions on a twenty-four (24) hour basis, including the delivery of patient care, managing nursing personnel, developing and implementing approved unit projects and goals. Serves as the nurse executive of the facility and ensures that the Texas Nurse Practice Act is followed, as well as prescribed regulations.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Identifies progressive nursing care consistent with assigned patient population, customer needs, current trends and regulatory agencies.
• Develops policies, procedures and standards to achieve best possible patient care. Continually evaluates practices and recommends changes as necessary.
• Collaborates with the Medical Director to identify necessary steps to achieve desired outcomes.
• Monitors and evaluates quality, appropriateness and outcomes of patient care delivered according to established nursing standards of practice through performance improvement activities.
• Pursues opportunities to improve patient care and to resolve identified problems.
• Compiles and submits unit staffing profiles consistent with budget according to policy.
• Utilizes available staff to provide the best possible patient care on a twenty-four (24) hour basis in compliance with standards for hours of care and patient care needs.
• Seeks approval for deviations from approved budget and staffing profile with written justification.
• Maintains staffing levels at approved complement of FTE’s; adjusts staffing with fluctuating workload/census; controls overtime and non-productive time.
• Schedules and allocates resources to ensure their availability according to priority/patient need.
• Plans, delegates and coordinates patient care assignments considering staff competencies, patient population, equipment used, condition of patient, environmental factors, infection control and safety factors and availability of direct/indirect supervision. Ensures initiation of patient assessment/reassessment and care plan within time frame specified for the patient population served.
• Serves as a member and participates in committee assignments for nursing and hospital committees, as assigned.
• Coordinates, attends and participates in committee meetings, as assigned.
• Prepares and submits reports related to risk management, education, medical staff, quality, utilization review, as directed.
• Facilitates the maintaining of monthly reports, tracking and trending of employee/non-employee incidents for hospital quality committee.
• Investigates any Sentinel Event occurrence at the hospital.
• Designs and coordinates various periodic audit and monitoring procedures for use throughout the year; reports and responds to findings.
• Coordinates any investigations with legal counsel.
• Reviews/coordinates activities to formulate policies/procedures related to Corporate Compliance.
• Interacts with members of the Board to ensure the hospital’s initiatives toward compliance and ensure consistency among departments.
• Oversees implementation of compliance program; coordinates logging of advice from government authorities; coordinates with HR to ensure that appropriate background checking and reporting process is in place.
• Coordinates and monitors development of education and training of all persons regarding compliance-related activities; maintains documentations of training certifications.
• Monitors and responds to any questions, concerns, and reports of possible violations reported through any means.
• Coordinates accreditation/regulatory activities with team, including developing staff education programs for employees and medical staff, serving as liaison with accreditation agency.
• Coordinates hospital-wide education functions.
• Coordinates new employee orientation for disaster plans, back safety, employee exposure, corporate compliance, blood-borne pathogens, and contract services.
• Coordinates clinical education activities including clinical preceptor program, annual education program.
• Directs in-service education plan/continuing education.
• Demonstrates the spirit of the philosophy, mission, and values of the hospital through words and actions and implements them into departmental processes, programs, and the working environment.
• Applies the principles and values of customer service and continuous quality improvement while performing day to day activities of the position.
• Maintains and protects confidentiality regarding all aspects of patient care, personnel and strategic issues. Adheres to Confidentiality Policy.
• Maintains positive working relationships and fosters cooperative work environment.
• Displays honesty and mutual respect when communicating with peers and other departments.
• Follows through on problems that may compromise effective job performance by using appropriate chain of command.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited nursing program.
• Master’s Degree in Nursing or related field required.

Certification, Licensure

• Current license as a registered nurse in the state of Texas.
• Current CPR certification.
• ACLS certification required.

Experience, Training, Knowledge

• Eight (8) years clinical experience as a Registered Nurse.
• Five (5) years experience in management; previous CNO experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Experience in clinical documentation programs preferred.