Chief Nursing Officer, SVP of Inpatient Nursing

Position/Description

Defines and articulates the philosophy of care, provides strategic direction, achieves operational efficiencies, implements new clinical product lines and coordinates functional activities across the continuum of care. Responsible to support the UCONN Health Waterbury Hospitals mission, vision and corporate goals. Has overall responsibility for all patient services at UCONN Health Waterbury Hospital. Has matrixed responsibility for nursing functions within off-site locations. Accountable for assuring that nursing practice is standardized throughout the WH community network.

Provides leadership in the delivery of excellent nursing care. Oversees direct patient care as well as clinical education and development. Works to improve operational effectiveness. Assists in planning new services that generate additional sources of profitable revenue. Responsible for creating an environment that will encourage recruiting and retention of clinical employees. Manages costs by continually seeking data that will identify opportunities and take action to eliminate non-value costs. Establishes standards for nursing practices and maintains authority, accountability and responsibility for nursing services.

Responsibilities/Qualifications

• Demonstrates experience in evaluating customer service data, developing, implementing and evaluating the plan to achieve and maintain high customer service scores.
• Provides strong strategic and operational leadership of nursing services across the organization.
• Ensures the nursing practices are evidence-based and in compliance with all regulatory requirements.
• Working knowledge/competence with national standards (i.e., TJC, Dept. of Health, Licensing regulations). Ability to make high-level strategic and complicated decisions and assume responsibility for such judgment. Excellent skills in communication, collaboration, negotiation and teamwork.
• Leadership skills in motivating individuals and developing group cohesiveness. Skills in coaching, teaching, mentoring and problem solving.
• Facilitates the professional development of nursing staff, including training and mentorship opportunities.
• Ability to balance budgets, analyze reports and develop business plans. Flexible to respond and adapt to an environment that is rapidly changing.
• Ability to utilize sound interpersonal skills when interacting with all levels of internal and external customers taking into consideration cultural, linguistic and age of the customer.
• Maintains information confidential (HIPAA). Demonstrated customer service skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively with peers and other disciplines.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with peers and other interdisciplinary teams.
• Skills in organization and priority setting.
• Be a strong advocate for nursing and nursing practice.
  
  

Competencies

• Has administrative responsibility for all areas where nursing care is delivered.
• Participates in developing hospital-wide patient care programs, policies and standards.
• Develops implements and evaluates a hospital-wide plan for provision of nursing care.
• Participates in developing hospital mission statements and provides input into strategic and operational planning.
• Assures that all standards for nursing care and practice are consistent with current safety and legal requirements as established for the facility by state and voluntary regulatory agencies.
• Develops, implements, monitors and evaluates a budgetary process for nursing that facilitates appropriate and effective allocation of human and material resources.
• Directs Directors and Managers in using established standards as a base of operation for the Department of Nursing and all program development.
• Demonstrates strong collaboration and delegation skills to direct the Nursing Management Team in the implementation of all regulatory expectations.
• Assumes overall responsibility for developing, implementing and evaluating a program of quality improvement at the department and nursing unit level. Promotes nursing participating in integrated programs in specialty areas.
• Directs Directors in the use of Performance Improvement data for continuous improvement of system function, staff performance and patient care.
• Assures care givers are competent to assess, treat and care for patients in a manner appropriate to the age of the patient.
• Assumes overall responsibility for developing, implementing, and evaluating a program of clinical staff development for professional and non-professional staff, which comprehensively includes orientation, in-service, and continuing education.
• Utilizes data from various sources (census, acuity, satisfaction surveys, QI findings, etc.) to determine overall staffing requirements for the Department and develop, implement and evaluate a Master Staffing Plan for the employment and deployment of nursing personnel.
• Assumes responsibility for developing, implementing and evaluating a program for validating staff competency based on licensure validation and competency testing.
• Demonstrates leadership ability in providing direction, support, and supervision to staff and members of the nursing management team.
• Holds nursing leadership team accountable for operational and quality responsibilities.
• Actively defines self-learning needs and identifies methods for maintaining competency.
• Maintains ongoing relationship with the hospital community to identify healthcare needs, build pertinent patient care programs and interpret professional nursing practice to the consumer.
• Actively participates in researching and applying methods, technologies and information systems to support and improve nursing practice and care.
• Represents (or delegates representatives) for nursing on all appropriate Medical Staff Committees.
• Represents the Nursing Department on Patient Care Committee of the Board of Directors.
• Participates at the Board of Directors meetings as invited guest.
• Maintains visibility throughout the services.
  
  

Education And Experience

• A graduate of an accredited school of nursing. Master’s degree in Nursing a must or other health care related field.
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is strongly preferred. Or candidate is actively enrolled in program and will have completed within 3 years.
• Licensure: Active RN licensure in CT required
• Ten to fifteen years of progressive management experience. Strong hands-on clinical background. Experience leading in a union environment strongly preferred.
• Proven track record for improving patient outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to implement new technologies and care methodologies
• Demonstrated competence with a minimum of 10 years’ relevant managerial experience.