Chief Nursing Officer

About the role

The Chief Nursing Officer provides direct nursing care to individuals residing at SEVTC, administering treatments, coordinating care with other healthcare providers, and ensuring the highest level of support to meet individuals’ unique needs.

Nursing Leadership & Strategic Direction

• Provide executive leadership, direction, and overall supervision for the Department of Nursing.
• Establish and communicate a clear vision for nursing services that aligns with SEVTC's mission, values, and strategic priorities.
• Develop an annual departmental strategic plan with measurable goals and objectives.
• Direct the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of quality nursing services.
• Maintain current knowledge of nursing trends, evidence-based practices, regulatory requirements, and developments within the nursing profession.
• Provide direct supervision and leadership to nursing management and nursing staff, including the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON), Registered Nurses (RNs), and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs).
• Direct the recruitment, selection, orientation, training, development, and supervision of nursing personnel.
• Establish job expectations and performance standards to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of nursing services.
• Promote effective communication throughout the Nursing Department and between nursing, administration, clinical departments, and other facility programs.

Performance Management

• Establish clear performance expectations that support departmental and organizational goals.
• Provide ongoing coaching, constructive feedback, training, and professional development to direct reports.
• Ensure nursing staff possess the knowledge, skills, abilities, and training necessary to successfully perform assigned responsibilities.
• Complete performance evaluations, probationary reviews, and employee job descriptions within established timeframes.
• Address and document performance concerns promptly and consistently in accordance with facility and state policies.
• Utilize appropriate corrective and disciplinary processes when necessary.
• Meet individually with direct reports throughout the performance evaluation cycle and appropriately document feedback.
• Review and communicate safety concerns to support a safe and healthy workplace.

Quality Nursing Practice & Standards of Care

• Provide leadership in developing, reviewing, implementing, and revising nursing policies, procedures, organizational instructions, and standards of care.
• Ensure nursing policies and procedures clearly define how individuals' nursing care needs are assessed, planned, provided, monitored, and documented.
• Develop, implement, and monitor patient-care systems that support safe and high-quality nursing care, including patient assignments, medication management, and medical record documentation.
• Ensure nursing standards of care are consistently implemented across all residential units.
• Ensure compliance with infection prevention and control, risk management, medication management, and other applicable clinical standards.
• Ensure nursing services comply with applicable CMS requirements and professional standards of nursing practice.
• Collaborate with clinical, residential, administrative, and other departments to ensure appropriate services are provided.
• Coordinate and evaluate nursing participation in interdisciplinary treatment and person-centered planning.
• Provide oversight of the Nursing Department's quality management and performance improvement activities.
• Identify opportunities for improvement and implement strategies to enhance the quality, safety, and effectiveness of nursing services.

Staffing & Workforce Development

• Develop and maintain a nursing staffing model that ensures appropriate staffing levels and skill mix across all shifts based on the number, needs, and acuity of individuals served.
• Ensure the effective deployment and scheduling of nursing staff to meet clinical and treatment needs.
• Monitor staffing levels, vacancies, overtime, scheduling practices, and FTE utilization.
• Assess nursing staff educational and professional development needs.
• Provide guidance in developing and implementing educational programs for nursing staff.
• Develop and maintain relationships with nursing schools and educational institutions to promote clinical learning opportunities and strengthen nursing recruitment pipelines.
• Ensure nursing personnel complete all required facility and professional training.

Administrative & Resource Management

• Participate in executive-level decision-making related to nursing operations and facility initiatives.
• Attend and actively participate in executive staff meetings, committees, and other meetings as assigned.
• Work collaboratively with the CEO, COO, CFO, and other leadership staff in developing and managing facility staffing and budget priorities.
• Provide leadership and accountability for the Nursing Department's budget, staffing levels, and FTE management.
• Manage nursing resources effectively and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency.
• Participate in the facility's return-to-work/light-duty program and ensure compliance with established work restrictions and physical limitations.

Collaboration & Organizational Leadership

• Collaborate professionally with peers and other facility leaders to accomplish SEVTC's mission, goals, and strategic objectives.
• Coordinate Nursing Department activities with other departments to ensure continuity and quality of care.
• Promote effective interdisciplinary communication and collaboration.
• Serve as Administrator-on-Call after hours and on weekends according to the established rotation.
• Attend statewide Chief Nursing Officer meetings as required.
• Complete a minimum of 15 hours of continuing education related to nursing practice or management.
• Assist SEVTC, DBHDS, or the Commonwealth of Virginia as necessary in response to an emergency declaration or other operational need.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Comprehensive knowledge of professional nursing principles, practices, standards, techniques, and functions.
• Knowledge and clinical experience related to psychiatric nursing and the care of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD).
• Strong clinical nursing skills, including the ability to assess and manage individuals with psychiatric, behavioral, intellectual, developmental, and complex healthcare needs.
• Knowledge of inpatient treatment methodologies and the care of adults with serious and chronic mental health conditions.
• Strong executive leadership skills with demonstrated ability in strategic planning, organizational leadership, and management.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in professional nursing administration.
• Demonstrated knowledge of nursing workforce management, including staffing models, scheduling, supervision, and employee development.
• Knowledge and experience with budget management, resource allocation, and FTE management.
• Knowledge of CMS requirements, nursing standards of care, quality management, and performance improvement processes.
• Ability to develop, implement, evaluate, and maintain nursing policies, procedures, standards, and clinical programs.
• Strong performance management, coaching, teaching, and staff development skills.
• Ability to effectively supervise and lead nursing professionals at multiple organizational levels.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals receiving services, families, employees, healthcare professionals, leadership, regulatory representatives, and community partners.
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and organizational communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, confidence, and cooperation.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, critical-thinking, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively as part of an interdisciplinary and executive leadership team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel, email, databases, and electronic medical record systems.
• Ability to effectively utilize computers and electronic systems required to perform assigned responsibilities.
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours, shifts, days, weekends, and additional hours based on facility needs.

Education and Experience

• Graduation from an accredited school of professional nursing.
• Extensive professional nursing experience demonstrates progressively responsible clinical and leadership responsibilities.
• Extensive experience in professional nursing administration and nursing operations.
• Significant supervisory and management experience involving professional nursing staff.
• Demonstrated experience managing nursing staffing, scheduling, workforce utilization, and performance.
• Experience with budget management and resource allocation.
• Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating nursing policies, procedures, standards of care, and clinical programs.
• Experience implementing and monitoring nursing standards associated with CMS requirements and regulatory compliance.
• Experience with quality management, performance improvement, infection prevention, risk management, and patient safety practices.
• Experience providing education, training, coaching, and professional development to nursing staff.
• Experience working collaboratively with multidisciplinary clinical and administrative teams.
• Must possess a current, unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the Commonwealth of Virginia or be eligible to obtain current Virginia RN licensure.
• Must possess and maintain current CPE/ED certification.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.