Harlem Hospital Center has been a bedrock of the Harlem community since 1887. The hospital provides a wide range of medical, surgical, diagnostic, therapeutic and family support services to the residents of Central Harlem, 

West Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood. Harlem is the largest hospital in the area, capable of treating the most seriously ill. Harlem provides over 90 specialized ambulatory care services, dentistry and oral surgery, behavioral health services, and community substance abuse treatment.

Job Description

The Associate Director of Nursing is an integral member of Nursing Services Administration. Under the supervision of the DON, she/he assumes 24-hour administrative responsibilities for evaluation, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care on the unit. Carries out the System, Hospital, and Nursing Service mission, vision, values, and overall strategic planning, clinical management, patient care, budgeting, and quality management of the unit. Promotes all nursing service standards and creates a patient-focused environment. Fosters an environment of collaboration and respect with physician colleagues, nurses, and other members of the healthcare team. Responsibilities are carried out within the framework of the Hospital By-Laws, the Mission and Vision statements, policies and procedures, all regulatory (TJC, NYSDOH, OMH) and professional organizational standards.

Duties & Responsibilities

The Associate Director of Nursing coordinates all patient care and operational activities of the department in collaboration with the Director of Nursing.

Operational Performance

• Collaborates with the planning and developing programs to improve patient care and employee performance.
• Periodically monitors employee’s performance relative to patient care and nursing practice, e.g. compliance to policy/procedures relative to patient care assignments.
• Communicates patient care and service related problems on the tour to appropriate individuals timely. Assists in corrective actions/follow-up.
• Nurse Leader rounds with service on a daily basis.
• Evaluates staffing plan and ensures that staffing is adequate to meet patient care needs.
• Collaborates with peers and Director of Nursing in developing mechanisms that improves continuous feedback relative to the current status of patient care/nursing practice issues in order to comply with hospital policy/procedure, regulatory agency mandates and standards.
• Meets frequently with peers (nursing leaders/personnel) in order to:
• Maintain open channels of communication.
• Explore resolutions to problems.
• Review/analyze quality improvement reports and effectiveness of corrective action plans/follow-up.
• Periodically assess/review the master staffing plan.
• Review customer service/patient satisfaction patterns.
• Develops, prepares and monitors the personnel, supply and equipment budgets in collaboration with the staff and support department directors
• Develops long-term staffing schedules and ensures daily coverage in accordance with established staffing guidelines.
• Develops measures and monitors unit operational performance metrics inclusive of LOS, agency and overtime costs, vacancy and turnover rates.
• Completes staff performance evaluations and payroll in an efficient and timely manner.
• Meets all compliance standards/requirements such as Annual Physical Evaluation and PeopleSoft ELM Trainings and enhances personal and professional development through external educational offerings.
• Promotes a positive and pleasant attitude conducive to the workplace which enhances the Mission, Vision and Value Statement of NYC Health + Hospitals and Harlem Hospital.

Clinical Practice/ Patient Care

• Perform clinical duties/delivery of direct patient as required.
• Maintain clinical visibility on nursing unit.
• Escalate all barriers to the delivery of care until resolution achieved.
• Actively evaluate the delivery of nursing through direct observation of staff in the delivery of nursing care.
• Meet or exceed established unit specific, organizational, or system goals for nursing quality indicators.
• Uses trends in safety events to address practice issues within nursing unit.
• Provide timely updates of unit PI initiatives for Nursing PI oversight.
• Collaborates with the Director of Nursing to establish nursing care standards and evaluates staff compliance.
• Facilitates the effective provision of support services essential to patient care.
• Maintains a safe and caring environment for patients that is conducive to positive health teaching and maintenance: patient and family expectations of care: develops mechanism to assess same.
• Develops unit goals and objectives to support the institutional values and goals with input from staff.
• Recognizes the need for patient care to be delivered in a culturally sensitive manner and role models’ sensitivity to staff.
• Periodically apprises Director of Nursing of performance.
Management
• Participates in the overall planning process for the service.
• Responsible for the overall planning process for the unit.
• Uses findings from patient satisfaction survey and with input from the staff to establish unit-based customer services agenda.
• Develops an effective plan for delivery of nursing care within the assign area of responsibility.
• Responds to patient and family concerns or complaints with sensitivity and compassion in a timely fashion.
• Conducts daily huddles and monthly meetings with the staff to address equipment, scheduling, goals, objectives, performance metrics, improvement activities, and any staff concerns.

Human Resource Development /Management

• Hires, educates, and evaluates staff.
• Work with Labor partners to counsel, discipline, and terminate staff as needed.
• Educates staff in new and existing department procedures and systems.
• Makes recommendations and provides opportunities for growth and development of personnel and arranges for appropriate education and training.
• Creates and maintains a supportive working environment for all staff.
• Responds in a timely fashion to staff concerns and functions proactively to retain staff.
• Establishes unit metrics and goals to measure effectiveness of retention strategies.
• Creates and maintains an atmosphere of respect and courtesy toward patients, staff, and colleagues.
• Promotes a level of professionalism in the organization. Motivates academic pursuit and continuing education on the part of the staff by establishing and meeting service based professional certification goals.

Interactive Relationships

• Promotes empowerment of the staff by utilizing collaborative approaches and encouraging new ideas.
• Promotes collegial relationships based on mutual respect and support.
The above statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principle functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent to the position.

Minimum Qualifications

• Licensed and currently registered to practice as a professional nurse in New York State.
• Minimum of a Bachelors Degree in Nursing, Master’s Degree in Nursing Administration or related area preferred.
• Three (3) years recent clinical experience in an acute or ambulatory care setting, one of which have been in leadership role or satisfactory equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Highly recommend certification in area of specialty.

Certification(s)/License(s):

• Licensed and currently registered to practice as a professional nurse in New York State.
• Highly recommend certification in area of specialty.

Educatioal Level:

Minimum of a Bachelors Degree in Nursing, Master’s Degree in Nursing preferred

Years Of Experience

Three (3) years recent clinical experience in an acute or ambulatory care setting, one of which have been in leadership role or satisfactory equivalent combination of education and experience.

Physical Demands  (if any):

• Lift 20lbs or more
• Able to bend without difficulty
• Sit for long periods without difficulty

NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week Retirement Savings and Pension Plans Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities Multiple employee discounts programs