Summary:

Supervises and coordinates patient care services of one or more nursing units on a 24-hour basis. The Director Nursing ensures that physicians' orders are followed; ensures that patient conditions and progress are accurately reported; ensures that patient care is administered by all professional and nonprofessional personnel in the unit according to organization and regulatory policies and guidelines; and has staffing and budget control responsibilities for the unit.

Responsibilities: 

1. Leadership

 a. Utilizes advanced clinical knowledge to develop and maintain a delivery system for individualized, appropriate, and compassionate patient care. Supports and encourages staff, patients, and significant others in the determination of treatment and rehabilitation goals for desired outcomes. Provides leadership and participates in emergency measures for sudden adverse patient developments.

 b. Provides leadership and demonstrates critical thinking ability in all areas of responsibility, treats all co-workers with respect, strives to enhance co-worker performance through cooperation and effective communication, and demonstrates hospitality and courtesy in all interactions.

2. Unit Management and Daily Operations 

a. Estimates future departmental personnel, equipment, and supply needs in order to ensure the attainment of operating goals. Develops, recommends, and implements the annual capital equipment, personnel, and operating budget for the department. Conducts periodic reviews of departmental performance, analyzes budget variances, and implements responsive action. 

b. Demonstrates clinical expertise in facilitating the timely availability, access, and utilization of multidisciplinary health care services, alternative levels of care, and community resources in a manner that ensures optimal continuity and expediency in the health care delivery process.

 c. Implements strategies that use current scientific knowledge to prevent and reduce the risk of infection transmission. Promptly and appropriately reports infections between and among staff, patients, and visitors in order to improve patient outcomes. 

d. Consults with nursing management, nursing staff, and Clinical Nurse Specialists in the development of instructional materials for patients and family members which will provide the specific knowledge and skill required to increase their understanding of the patient's illness, meet the patient's ongoing health care needs, and improve patient health outcomes. 

e. Develops and maintains documentation required for successful employee development and administrative and divisional communication. Supervises and participates in the efficient recording of pertinent patient care data utilizing the computerized medical record and manual documentation in order to promote timely and efficient access to required information throughout the organization. Preserves the confidentiality of data and information identified as sensitive in order to ensure the protection of patient dignity and privacy. 

f. Monitors and coordinates the effective use, maintenance, and repair of equipment, supplies, facilities, and resources that support patient care in order to maintain a functional and safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors.

 g. Maintains own clinical expertise and ensures the demonstrated clinical competency of staff members to deliver patient care services in accordance with the specific identified needs of adult and geriatric patients. Utilizes appropriate resources as needed for assistance in the planning and delivery of care to infant, pediatric, and adolescent patients. 

3. Performance Improvement and Quality 

a. Provides ongoing assessments of the patient care delivery system in order to identify existing and potential health care needs within the scope of care for the unit. Evaluates and makes recommendations for current and potential unit staffing needs, assesses and introduces technological and procedural changes that enhance the efficiency and quality of patient care services and outcomes, and supervises the ongoing assessment of patients for physical, psychological, and social status needs and discharge planning. 

b. Coordinates and manages high quality health care services that recognize individual patient rights while acting as a role model for the nursing personnel. Educates staff and monitors care delivery in order to ensure that patients exercise their rights to be informed and to participate and make decisions in all aspects of their medical care. Ensures that patient care demonstrates respect for personal values and beliefs and is focused on the unique needs of each individual and their family. 

c. Utilizes continued analysis and evaluation of patient care outcomes to enhance the quality and efficiency of services and optimize the utilization of hospital resources. Participates actively in unit-specific and multidisciplinary continuous quality improvement and quality assurance studies in a manner that promotes compliance with hospital and divisional regulations and standards.

d. Ensures that all staff members are oriented and continuously educated regarding their roles in sustaining and improving the overall environment. Assesses the learning and development needs of staff members and is responsible for the provision of appropriate educational services. 

e. Establishes departmental standards for the evaluation of personnel performance and monitors the performance of reporting personnel. Promotes and encourages the growth and development of staff members by encouraging their participation in approved continuing education activities such as professional conferences, seminars, and workshops. Advocates continuing education as a means of promoting the high-quality services provided by all departmental personnel. 

f. Observes and adheres to all departmental and hospital policies and procedures, and follows all safety, quality assurance, and infection control standards. 

4. Other Duties as Assigned 

a. Performs other duties as assigned or requested.

Education - Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited school of nursing.

Licensure - Current RN licensure in good standing in the state of Mississippi; Current BLS required.  ACLS preferred.