Chief Nursing officer (Not to exceed $200,000k)

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:  Responsible for planning, organizing and directing the overall operations of Patient Care Services (i.e., ED, Med/Surg Floor, OR, Employee Health/Infection Control, Education, Home Health/Hospice, Quality and Utilization Review). Ensures compliance with patient care quality standards as it relates to the care provided to all age groups of patients ranging from neonate to geriatric. Maintains performance improvement activities within the department and participates in CQI activities.  Assures competency of all personnel.  Assists in formulating the budget and maintains efficient and effective departmental operations and required compliance with all state, federal and local regulations, laws, standards and protocols.  

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  The CNO is a member of senior leadership and participates in executive-level decision-making.  The work is performed under administrative direction of the Hospital Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with wide leeway allowed for exercise of independent judgment. 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

·         Analyzes the skills and capabilities of the functional area; identifies future workforce requirements; and identifies a means to close the gaps.  Ensures processes are in place for unleashing the full potential of others by providing needed resources, coaching, experiences and other support to place the right people in key roles and continuously upgrade their skills and knowledge;

·         Determines whether assigned functional areas are performing at full potential and ensures communication cascades down through the organization.  Breaks down organizational silos, bridges communication gaps, and engages the employees they manage so each person understands how they can contribute to the organizations’ success;

·         Develops the management skills of the nursing management team so that the following is completed in a timely consistent fashion:  interviewing, hiring, orienting new employees; assign, schedule and supervise nursing staff; complete performance appraisals and initiate promotions, transfers, disciplinary action and termination of employment; investigate or review deviation from standards or policies and take corrective actions; promote and provide all clinical professional growth and education through in-service or continuing education;

·         Develops, maintains, evaluates and modifies, as necessary, staffing plans and the delivery of quality nursing care;

·         Maintains continuing quality improvement analysis and evaluation of patient care delivery and communicates with Administration on the activities/issues of Nursing/Patient Care Services;

·         Develops and oversees implementation of appropriate patient care initiatives with nursing and clinical services that enhance their contribution to the mission and vision of the Lewis County Health System;

·         Ensures assigned areas are in compliance with TJC standards and federal/state regulations;

·         Ensures compliance with New York Patient Occurrence Reporting and Tracking (NYPORTS) by ensuring timely entry into the database, reporting to DOH as required, completion of a root cause analysis and remediation planning;

·         Analyzes occurrence data for frequency and severity of events.  Identifies trends necessitating intervention and works with leadership in planning and implementing actions to address identified issues;

·         Oversees the quality program that incorporates the evaluation of quality across the continuum of care , including coordinating data collection, analysis and reporting processes and systems, policies and procedures for quality management;

·         Ensures collaboration among all disciplines concerned with patient services to provide appropriate, effective and coordinated services to patients;

·         Develops policies and procedures related to patient care and nursing operations consistent with facility objectives and ensures their execution;

·         Oversees the development of operating and capital budgets for assigned areas of responsibility and creates accountability for compliance of approved budget and productivity standards with in each service area;

·         Provides oversight of patient care resources; monitoring capital and operational budgets; establishing systems for proactive budget variance identification and correction;

·         Ensures financial, material, people and technological resources are allocated to achieve optimal results;

·         Participates in Senior Leadership/Administrative activities and works as a key member in the development of short and long term strategic planning for the health system;  Develops annual goals for nursing services that are consistent with the overall hospital strategic plan;

·         Identifies potential additional healthcare service needs in the community and assists in evaluating nursing and operational implications of establishing those services;

·         Participates in developing community relationships and community knowledge of the health system;

·         Prepares healthcare plans, demand studies, feasibility reports and other reports needed by the COO, CEO or other agencies;

·         Participates in Administrator on Call rotation with the CEO and senior administrative leaders

·         Conducts conferences with Supervising and Head Nurses to plan, interpret and review policies, programs and procedures;

·         Ensures that all operations are carried out in compliance with local, state and federal regulations and laws as such pertain to the healthcare system and operations;

·         All other duties as assigned

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Comprehensive knowledge of professional nursing with advanced preparation in the supervision of nursing services; demonstrated management skills; especially strong in planning, organizing, staff development, communications, decision-making and interpersonal skills; excellent organizational, verbal and written communication skills; ability to demonstrate leadership, managerial ability, good interpersonal relationships and the application of sound administrative principals; leadership and team building skills; computer literacy; possesses knowledge in the area of labor relations, economic and legislation that affects all personnel; possesses knowledge and the ability to plan, organize, direct, coordinate and evaluate activities of the designated departments; ability to work with a variety of disciplines, cultures and levels of staff throughout the organization.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

A)  Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma, AND

B)  Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, administration, or related field and at least (10) years of full time clinical experience in an acute care setting of which five (5) years have been in a supervisory capacity. Familiar with TJC standards and 10NYCRR.  Masters’ degree in nursing or related field preferred. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCEPTANCE OF APPLICATIONS:

Eligibility for a license issued by the State of New York to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse.  Possession of the license at the time of appointment.

LCHS offers a highly competitive compensation benefits package including NYS Retirement.  Qualified applicants may forward their resume to Human Resources, Lewis County Health System, 7785 N. State St., Lowville, NY  13367, Email: hr@lcgh.net. LCHS is an equal opportunity provider and employer.