Nurse Manager

About the Role

The Nurse Manager is a registered nurse with expertise in psychiatric nursing practice who provides leadership for all staff on the unit. The role directs the planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient‑care programs in collaboration with intensive care, general care units, and clinics as appropriate. The Nurse Manager works with Nursing Administration, Hospital Administration, Behavioral Health Services, and Faculty, and interacts regularly with appropriate Directors to ensure quality and effectiveness of patient care.

Responsibilities

• Adjust unit staffing patterns to reflect changes in care requirements, patient census, and staffing resources.
• Develop the annual inpatient budget using variance analysis, prior‑year performance, and predictors for change; adjust systems to meet budget and productivity targets for cost‑effective quality care.
• Analyze financial information monthly, complete exception reports with recommendations, and submit reports in a timely manner.
• Support a decentralized management philosophy by designing and maintaining a system that facilitates staff involvement at the unit/clinic, clinical department, Nursing Department, and Hospital levels.
• Ensure unit space is utilized or altered to maximize safety and efficiency; collaborate with other departments for unit maintenance and environmental safety.
• Develop and monitor systems to assure cost effectiveness through selection and utilization of materials and supplies, and monitoring charges; promote cost‑effective behavior in staff through observation, education, and accountability.
• Identify and resolve complex or recurring operational problems; consult with the CNO and/or CEO when necessary.
• Ensure data submitted for the patient workload system is accurate, timely, complete, and reliable.
• Develop and provide a patient‑care system that encourages professional practice of staff and results in quality, cost‑effective care outcomes.
• Ensure patient and family care is provided within established health standards.
• Provide clinical consultation to staff, assist with patient care as needed, and act as a clinical resource and consultant to other departments.
• Analyze clinical practice, identify opportunities to increase effectiveness and efficiency, and identify clinical indicators to measure and evaluate quality care.
• Ensure appropriate quality monitoring occurs on the unit and use findings to improve practice and reduce potential patient complications.
• Work with the CEO to ensure financial management produces a desirable ROI through revenue generation and expense control (personnel and non‑personnel).
• Supervise and coordinate work of licensed and unlicensed personnel; manage quality and effectiveness of care delivered by staff.
• Communicate ongoing performance expectations to employees; plan and conduct formal, timely, objective performance reviews and submit necessary documentation.
• Uphold organizational ethics and customer service standards.
• Promote staff growth in teamwork, decision‑making, and clinical skills through strengths/weaknesses identification, goal setting, learning opportunities, and coaching.
• Perform related duties as requested.

Requirements

• Education and Licensure: Bachelor’s degree in nursing required; Master’s degree in a health‑related field preferred. CPR and Behavior Managing Program certification (obtained within 30 days of hire). Valid Texas RN license in good standing required. BLS, ACLS, CPI certifications are a plus.
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of progressive nursing management experience with demonstrated success. Current regulatory, accreditation, and Joint Commission experience. Acute psychiatric care experience required. Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Additional Requirements: None.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of patient rights, mental‑health laws, and regulations pertaining to psychiatric nursing and treatment of mentally and emotionally disturbed patients.
• Understanding of theories, principles, and techniques of group and individual psychotherapy.
• Familiarity with symptoms and behavior patterns of emotionally disturbed, mentally ill patients.
• Advanced clinical skills in diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions, including use of psychotropic medications.
• Ability to control, prepare, and administer medications.
• Strong leadership skills for organizing activities and schedules for medical and non‑medical tasks across child, adolescent, and adult populations.
• Demonstrated high‑quality clinical and interpersonal skills; serves as an exemplary role model.
• Basic knowledge of acute psychotic and non‑violent crisis intervention practices, medical and psychiatric emergency procedures.
• Understanding of abnormal psychology in child and adolescent psychiatric populations and ability to apply this knowledge.
• Proficiency with medical terminology, especially as it relates to psychiatric care, and thorough familiarity with psychopharmacy.
• Basic teaching, training, problem‑solving, organizational, time‑management, and crisis‑intervention skills.
• Ability to develop therapeutic relationships with psychiatric patients and apply professional nursing care principles in evaluation and treatment.
• Effective collaboration with department heads, external partners, and organizations.
• Ability to work a 40‑hour week, including weekends, and manage conflict with win‑win solutions.
• Strong multitasking, prioritization, and time‑management abilities; exceptional follow‑through on tasks and assignments.
• Leadership qualities to supervise staff and secure cooperation.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, grasp, and perceive object attributes (size, shape, temperature, texture) with fingertips.
• Ability to communicate clearly and loudly when needed; hearing ability of at least 40 dB loss at 1 kHz and 2 kHz with or without correction.
• Capability to perform repetitive wrist, hand, and finger motions.
• Occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds of force; ability to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects.
• Minimum visual acuity (with or without correction) sufficient for administrative, clerical, and inspection tasks.
• Ability to concentrate amid noise, conversation, foot traffic, and frequent interruptions; ability to shift between tasks.
• Work is primarily indoors with no substantial exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Healthcare Spending Account
• Dependent Care Spending Account
• PTO Plan with Holiday Premium Pay
• Life Insurance (Supplemental Life, Term, and Universal plans)
• Short‑ and Long‑Term Disability (with additional buy‑in opportunities)