Assistant Director of Nursing

About the Role

Oceans Behavioral Hospital Lufkin is passionate about helping adults and seniors manage challenges associated with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues through proven, innovative, and progressive therapies. The Assistant Director of Nursing upholds standards of nursing care as established by the Nurse Practice Act, Psychiatric Standards of Nursing, policy and procedures, and all external governing and credentialing bodies.

Responsibilities

• Direct the staff and operation of the Nursing Department at all facility locations; coordinate, plan, and manage nursing activities; formulate nursing program goals and objectives
• Manage nursing positions; evaluate staff; assist in management of the nursing budget
• Maintain contacts with individuals both within and outside of the department who may impact program activities; participate in recruitment and retention programs
• Determine the quality of nursing care; participate in performance improvement programs; collaborate with clinical instructors for educational programs
• Represent the Nursing Department in professional and/or community organizations; demonstrate age specific and cultural sensitivity
• Utilize principles of management/nursing to coordinate patient care and nursing service activities towards positive outcomes; demonstrate fiscal responsibility in scheduling staffing patterns while considering patient safety
• Supervise nursing personnel including: determining workload and delegating assignments, training, monitoring and evaluating performance, and initiating corrective or disciplinary actions
• Conduct and review evaluations on individual staff; make recommendations for promotion, salary adjustment and/or disciplinary actions
• Accountable for nursing performance improvement and contributions to problem identification, investigation and monitoring of resolutions in providing quality care and customer satisfaction
• Develop data collection tools, identify trends, risk areas, and evaluate reliance of research; coordinate with employees to collect data on the quality of Nursing services; analyze data collected and submit monthly report to Performance Improvement Director
• Oversee and adhere to safety regulations of facility policies and procedures and external regulatory and credentialing bodies; participate as a member of the facility wide safety team
• Provide support and act as a resource for development and implementation of Infection Control, standard precautions policies and procedures
• Support and coordinate patient safety issues in conjunction with Hospital Administrator; analyze, review and follow up on incident reports related to nursing/patient safety issues in conjunction with Risk Management
• Ensure staff compliance with patient care, documentation, hospital/unit policies and procedures, protocols, and guidelines; ensure appropriate nursing staff for each unit to meet patient needs
• Direct appropriate training activities for all nursing employees as well as assurance of proper current licensure, continuing education, CPR, and an Oceans Healthcare approved behavioral health de-escalation program; participate in orientation of new and current nursing staff
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned

Requirements

• MSN preferred or BSN with management and psychiatric experience with an unrestricted state nursing license
• At least 3 years previous experience as an RN
• Must be flexible with work schedule
• Involves discretion and independent action within prescribed limits
• Sound knowledge of nursing practice and leadership abilities with the ability to manage, supervise, and oversee multiple employees
• Ability to solve practical problems and utilize appropriate steps for problem resolution; ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form; ability to exercise sound judgment
• Competent in interpersonal communications, excellent verbal and written skills
• Knowledge of Medicare and regulatory and credentialing criteria standards
• Knowledge of safety standards, spread of organisms, and the adult learning process
• Competent in the provision of nursing care
• Must successfully complete CPR certification and an Oceans approved behavioral health de-escalation program

Work Environment

• Subject to many interruptions
• Occasional pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries
• This position can be high paced and stressful; must be able to cope mentally and physically to atmosphere
• Work requires spending approximately 90% or more of the time inside a building that offers protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes