The Director of Nursing Services for Critical Care has direct responsibility for the assigned critical care department. Has overall accountability for the quality of patient care, the monitoring of performance of the nursing staff, and the development and management of the budget.  Oversees and directs departmental management in the orientation, education, and development of the staff in order to establish the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.  Contributes to nursing and ARH in support of philosophy and objectives and education efforts. Collaborates with physicians, staff, support departments and service lines to assure excellence in patient care. The Director of Nursing Services works directly with the Community Chief Nursing Officer to ensure all financial and quality metrics are achieved.

• Serves as a liaison between nursing staff, doctors, and healthcare administration.
• Critical thinking skills: Seeks resources for direction, when necessary. Performs independent problem-solving. Decision-making is logical and deliberate.
• Performs actions that demonstrate accountability. Exercises safe judgment in decision-making.
• Develops and implements departmental goals, plans, and standards consistent with the clinical, administrative, legal, and ethical requirements/objectives of the organization.
• Assists with formulating annual operating and capital budgets for department.
• Monitors and evaluates departmental budgets and ensures that the department operates in compliance with allocated funding. Coordinates and directs internal/external audits.
• Reviews/revises policies and procedures on an annual basis in collaboration with ARH leadership to ensure evidence-based care standards are being met.
• Plans and monitors staffing activities, including hiring, orienting, evaluating performance, disciplinary actions, and continuing education initiatives.
• Provides resources to assure that new employees receive an adequate, quality orientation and all personnel are provided with continuing education opportunities commensurate with their position requirements.
• Assures that licensure and required certificates of competency are current for all personnel as appropriate.
• Acts as a role model for patient satisfaction and quality of care.
• Supports the efforts of the facility to improve engagement by operationalizing current nursing strategies, including nurse leader rounding, employee rounding, hourly rounds, beside shift report and other initiatives.
• Assists with staff scheduling. Manages all practical aspects of staff labor in accordance with patient care needs and established productivity guidelines.
• Participates in interdisciplinary committees and workshops as needed to facilitate work of the organization.
• Effective time management by completion of activities and reports in established time frames.
• Participation in resource and product reviews and product evaluations as needed.
• Has formal mechanism in place to ensure ongoing communication with staff and management team.
• Creates and fosters an environment that encourages professional growth. Integrates evidence-based practices into operations and clinical protocols.
• Works with medical staff to coordinate management of patient care.
• Investigates and documents unusual or complex situations, never events, concerns, or complaints with corrective action plan noted.
• Assures that assigned department(s) are operated in a manner consistent with the approved clinical care standards, quality assurance program(s), DNV and all regulatory agencies.
• Leads and maintains performance improvement activities for the department(s).
• Develops and maintains appropriate working relationships with all internal and external customers.
• Provides guidance to department clinical staff leaders in operational budgets and variances to goals and takes corrective action as necessary.
• Demonstrates commitment to professional growth and competence by participating in conferences, courses, and workshops to upgrade management skills.
• Actively participates in teaching and education of others.
• Ability to communicate using verbal and/or written skills for accurate exchange of information with physicians, nurses, health care professionals, patients and/or family, and the public.

Education
• Graduate from an accredited school of nursing.
• BSN Required
• MSN, MPH, MBA or MHA Preferred

Minimum Work Experience
• Five (5) years of clinical experience required.
• Minimum of two (2) years of progressive management experience in a healthcare setting preferred

License/Certification/ Registration

Required
• Current licensure to practice nursing in the State of KY or WV, depending on legal state of residence.
• BLS upon hire
• ACLS within 6 months of hire
• PALS within 6 months of hire (if pediatric population served)
Preferred
• Professional Nursing Certification