Responsibilities POSITION SUMMARY The Assistant Chief Nursing Officer will assist the CNO with providing the leadership and strategic planning of the nursing department and nursing programs offered at River Vista Hospital, ensuring programs meet the needs of patients, the community and are in compliance with the facility’s performance goals and objectives. Responsibilities include the overall administrative processes and management systems for all clinical nursing services offered at the facility, promotion and maintenance of a therapeutic environment for patients and staff, and development and implementation of clinical treatment programs. QUALIFICATIONS Education: Graduate of an accredited school of nursing, master’s degree preferred. Experience: At least one (1) year experience in psychiatric/mental health field. Licensure: Currently licensed to practice by the California State Board of Nursing. Additional Requirements: A strong knowledge of The Joint Commission, Title XXII, OSHA regulations, and patient rights standards and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations governing mental health care facilities. CPR & CPI certification (provided in-house). Qualifications STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE GENERAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Personnel mAnagement and staffing Evaluates Program Managers and House Supervisors regarding personnel performance and assist them in counseling nursing personnel to help them meet the prescribed goals of performance. Maintains and allocates a well qualified core of staff resources. Assures that hiring, disciplinary actions and termination procedures are conducted in accordance with hospital policies. Involves appropriate facility management in all decisions and review these decisions with CEO prior to implementation. Assures adequate supervision and evaluation processes for all staff members and delegate these responsibilities as appropriate. Assures adequate orientation for new employees, attending physicians/licensed practitioners and Allied Health Professionals. Provides training as necessary to meet educational needs and professional development of staff. Ensures that the staff schedule and configuration will meet the needs and demands of the patient population and census and adjust it accordingly. Ensures an adequate system of communication and reporting is maintained between all staff members, as well as other departments involved in the ongoing operation of the program. Creates a structure that best meets the needs of the organization, particularly department organization related to supervision and assignment of staff. Routinely reviews job assignments and utilization of staff. LEADERSHIP Assumes the leadership responsibility for the Nursing department 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Provides support and continuity of effective administrative leadership. Serves as a role model of quality nursing care for nursing staff. Demonstrates the ability to assess a situation from a variety of perspectives, considers several alternatives and chooses the most appropriate course of action. Demonstrates an awareness of personal abilities and limitations; regularly requests assistance in situations that exceed abilities; utilizes supervisory sessions effectively. Confronts employees who do not abide by the hospital policy and procedures, provides ongoing feedback on technical and behavior performance; uses disciplinary process when necessary if high standards are not upheld by the employee. Serves as a resource person and role model by demonstrating professionalism and the ability to use the nursing process in problem identification and problem-solving activities. Assists and encourages nursing personnel in professional growth and development. Holds self and employees clearly accountable for meeting high standards of service towards all customers. Acts as an example that all staff and the organization can respect and emulate. Will not tolerate any form of retaliation or hostility between staff within the department. Will not tolerate or support any form of hostility, retaliation or harassment toward peers or subordinates. Promotes a healthy, collaborative working environment. professional collaboration Ensures the Nursing Department supports all other departments and acts collaboratively and professionally as appropriate. Ensure department will maintain a positive relationship with other departmental staff bringing new admissions on to their respective units for treatment. Provides services to current referral sources to assure their satisfaction and continued associations. Allocates and coordinates program resources to support Hospital and other hospital department’s objectives. Provides for guest relations and ensure the appearance of the facility and manner in which program staff communicate with patients, families, referral sources and fellow staff is effective and professional. Ensures the implementation of an ongoing system of program orientation for patients, families, professionals and others. Maintains an awareness of community and market-related activities which includes knowledge of the activities of other providers, needs of local payers and the political climate related to mental health. Note: The essential job functions of this position are not limited to the duties listed above. PROGRAM Planning AND TREATMENT Directs the provision of 24-hour nursing services for the facility. Reviews the progress, quality and effectiveness of all nursing programs. Establishes methods for evaluating nursing care practices, formulate plans for new programs and changes to existing programs, and initiate and/or utilize studies and research applicable to the development of nursing services. Consults with the CEO on the development of long and short-term facility projects, goals and objectives of Nursing Services. Establishes nursing committees as needed for quality and patient care needs. Strategically solve problems that encompass the larger view of the organization and establish goals by utilizing an understanding of organizational dynamics in planning and problem solving. Develops, implements and revises corporate, facility and Nursing Services policies and procedures within the guidelines of the Medical Staff Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of the facility and takes into consideration the recommendations of the CEO, the Medical Director, and the nursing staff. Develops, justifies and manages the annual budget for department personnel, facilities and equipment. Consults with facility management in the development and facilitation of program activities which assure an optimal therapeutic experience for all patients. Ensures all Nursing Services programs maintain current departmental manuals. Directs a system that ensures that individual patients and their families are involved in the development of individualized treatment plans. Maintains an active involvement and awareness of all patient admissions, discharges and transfers. Meets regularly with Program Managers, the Medical Director and program staff to ensure compliance with program goals and objectives. Serves on facility committees and attend meetings as assigned. Acts as a behavior model in transmitting clinical and procedural expertise to other nursing staff. IMPLEMENTATION Employs principles of communication, interviewing techniques, problem solving, and crisis intervention when performing interventions. Conducts interventions based on knowledge of psychiatric and medical nursing procedures, as well as the treatment plan. Maintains work environment ensuring its neatness, organization, safety and availability of necessary supplies. Maintains effective communication with all units and departments by following protocols and proper chain of command in relaying information. Serves as a committee member/task force member in initiating program revisions. Maintains confidentiality in all communications concerning patient/ families, staff and daily operations. CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT Ensure that a system is developed to provide continuity of care and communication with family and appropriate referral sources, and ensure the system is evaluated and reviewed regularly. Evaluate the achievement of program goals and objectives with appropriate staff on a regular basis. Ensure the program meets The Joint Commission, Medicare and state and federal regulatory requirements. Develop and implement a Performance Improvement Plan, evaluate the results monthly and report the results to the Corporate Performance Improvement Committee in a timely manner. Ensure that all deficiencies identified through the Performance Improvement analysis are addressed with appropriate problem-solving actions. Review all risk management occurrences and ensure that complete and timely reports are submitted to Risk Management. Analyze statistical data of the program to determine and respond to trends. ADDITIONAL STANDARDS Provides an adequate staffing pattern to meet patient needs, based on patient census and as determined by the patient acuity system. Implement methods to effectively control and reduce the need to use agency personnel. Continually evaluate the activities, morale and interpersonal relationships of all Clinical Services staff members and promotes methods to improve in these areas. Consistently select personnel for transfer, promotion and special training to ensure the most effective utilization of individual skills and employee development. Develop and maintain leadership capabilities of Nurse Managers and other Clinical Services supervisory personnel. Ensure that correct job descriptions which delineate the function, responsibilities and desired qualifications for each position exist for each member/classification of the Clinical services department and are available to Clinical services personnel at the time of hiring. Review and revise as necessary. Serve on facility committees as assigned. Accept responsibility for professional growth and development of all staff supervised. Demonstrate a professional attitude and supports the objectives of the facility's marketing and guest relations philosophy through internal and external communications and interactions with all levels of staff, patients, family members, guests, community and referral sources. Adhere to facility, department, corporate, personnel and standard policies and procedures. Attend all mandatory facility in-services and staff development activities as scheduled. Adhere to facility standards concerning conduct, dress, attendance and punctuality. Support facility-wide quality/performance improvement goals and objectives. Maintain confidentiality of facility employees and patient information. THERAPEUTIC ENVIRONMENT Contribute to the effective functioning of the assigned programs, the Clinical Services Department and facility-wide activities and services. Participate in program development and programmatic changes. Function as a role model to promote healthy communication. Participate in IOP activities. Demonstrate good guest relations. Report unsafe conditions to appropriate personnel. Assure patient's rights are upheld. Specific Standards for the Care of Child Patients Ages 5 through 11 Maintain knowledge of the Child Program rules, protocols and handbooks guidelines. Maintain knowledge of children’s stages of development and seek guidance from the nurse in charge when questions about the norms for behavior related to child development arise. Assess patients for behaviors consistent with the developmental stages and make note of any deviations in behavior. Recognize acting out behavior of child specific age group and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behavioral and non-judgmental terms based on the age of the patient. Demonstrate an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to the learning-disabled child. Relate to child patients in an age-appropriate manner. Utilize seclusion and restraint procedures with an understanding of the need for modification in regard to smaller body sizes of children, abandonment issues and the history of physical and/or sexual abuse issues. Act as a resource to other staff regarding the Child Patient Programs. Specific Standards for the Care of Adolescent Patients Ages 12 through 18 Maintain knowledge of the Adolescent Program rules, protocols and handbooks guidelines. Assess patients for behaviors consistent with the developmental stages and makes note of any deviations in behavior. Recognize acting out behavior of adolescent specific age group and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behavioral and non-judgmental terms based on the age of the patient. Demonstrate an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to the learning disabled adolescent. Relate to adolescent patients in an age appropriate manner. Utilize seclusion and restraint procedures with an understanding of the need for modification in regard to smaller body sizes of adolescents, abandonment issues and the history of physical and/or sexual abuse issues. Act as a resource to other staff in regard to the Adolescent Patient Programs. Specific Standards for the Care of Adult Patients Ages 19 through 64 Gather information from the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use judgements based on knowledge of adult behaviors in treatment planning and interventions. Recognize behaviors and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behaviors and non-judgmental terms. Utilize seclusion/restraint procedures applicable to adult body size and past history of violent or emotional behaviors and/or history of physical and/or sexual abuse issues. Maintain current knowledge of the Adult Program rules, protocols and handbook guidelines. Utilize theoretical concepts to guide the effective practice of adult care within Specific Standards of Care for this age group. Specific Standards for the Care of Geriatric Patients Ages 65 and older Maintain knowledge of the developmental tasks and sociological theories of aging. Utilize theoretical concepts to guide the effective practice of gerontological health care and behavioral care. Gather the appropriate information from the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use therapeutic judgements based on knowledge of gerontological health/behavioral care practices to develop a comprehensive plan of care. Utilize interventions based on gerontological theory to restore patients’ functional capabilities and to prevent complications and excess disability. Maintain a complete knowledge of treatments, medications and side effects of such in the geriatric age group. SPECIFIC STANDARDS FOR THE CARE OF CHEMICALLY DEPENDENT PATIENTS Assesses patient needs as related to chemical dependency and document the plan of care from the admission through discharge. Collaborate with other chemical dependency staff professionals in planning for discharge and follow-up care. Maintain an awareness of how personal issues relating the co-dependency can impact work performance/relationships. Recognize and establish limits on medication-seeking behaviors. SPECIFIC STANDARDS OF THE CARE OF CULTURALLY/SPIRITUALLY DIVERSE PATIENTS Recognize that everyone is uniquely multicultural (belonging to many subgroups, which define the person’s belief system, behavior, language work ethic, etc.). Show an awareness of differences in communication styles and cultural and spiritual values and work ethics. Show an ability to refrain from assuming that everyone is “just like me” or judging others by one’s own codes of behaviors. Demonstrate an awareness of one’s own values, beliefs, stereotypes and bias and how they dictate attitudes and behavior. Show an understanding of how cultural rules of behavior impacts how we perceive others and how they perceive us. Demonstrate a willingness to modify behavior accordingly. Relationship With Others Functions effectively as a member of the team, using tact, sensitivity, sound judgment and a professional attitude when relating to patients, families, visitors and co-workers at all time. Addresses patients, visitors, physicians, and co-workers in a pleasant and respectful manner and maintains favorable working relationships. Responds to patients with empathy and positive interpersonal skills. Demonstrates flexibility and assumes added tasks when department needs change. Is receptive to feedback and acts on feedback given. PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT Understands his/her role in the P.I. process and participates as required. OTHER PERFORMANCE CRITERIA Attends all mandatory facility in-services and staff development activities as scheduled. Maintains confidentiality of facility employee and patient information. Performs other duties as assigned. CUSTOMER SERVICE Demonstrates a service focus in all interactions. Demonstrates proper etiquette by acknowledging patients, guests, employees etc., promptly and by answering the phone properly (salutation, identify self and department, and within three rings). Keeps customers informed by explaining procedures and updating them on changes, or delays in procedure. Offers an explanation of reasons behind policies, procedures, and instructions (when possible). Responds to information requests about the hospital and/or its programs within 24-hours to both community and professional external customers. Miscellaneous Assures department is maintained in clean and safe manner. Complies with established measures for infection control, OSHA regulations and risk management. Adheres to facility standards concerning conduct, dress, and attendance and punctuality. Follows all facility, departmental and personnel policies and procedures. Complies with the Employee Code of Ethics. Attends regular staff meetings and department required functions. ATTENDANCE AND RELIABILITY Reports to work on time for assigned shifts. Maintains a good attendance record consistent with the hospital attendance policy. EMPLOYEE RELATIONS Strives to build a good rapport with staff and within the department Ensures that communication & expectations are transparent Encourages positive relationships with & between department staff Makes sincere effort to troubleshoot problems or deteriorating relationships Avoids partialities and enforces work rules & practices with consistency Addresses performance corrections promptly as necessary Encourages employee engagement & motivates staff to perform better. Does not engage in activity regarded as favouritism, hostile, harassing, discriminating, retaliatory, or threatening. Does not engage in gossip & attempts to stop gossip and criticism immediately Does not engage in behaviour regarded as rude, demeaning, or disrespectful Acknowledges constructive feedback provided (via UHS surveys, SVH exit surveys, or other lines of communication) and attempts to make improvements as necessary. Maintains confidentiality of employees Upholds Code of Conduct, Service Excellence, and Cultural Competency principles 14. Has a positive attitude KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES THIS SECTION DESCRIBES WHAT KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES AN EMPLOYEE IN THIS POSITION SHOULD CURRENTLY POSSESS. THIS LIST MAY NOT BE COMPLETE FOR ALL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION. Ability to serve as the organization’s primary resource regarding regulatory requirements. Skill in understanding the expectations of The Joint Commission, HCFA, and applicable state licensing requirements. Ability to direct and prepare for The Joint Commission surveys. Ability to direct changes or corrective actions related to regulations or survey outcomes. Ability to interact effectively with the community and local market and network with other mental health providers. Thorough knowledge of utilization management. Thorough knowledge of managed care philosophy related to mental health services. Skill in organizing and prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines. Skill in telephone etiquette and paging procedures. Effective oral and written communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively with patients and co-workers. Ability to adhere to safety policies and procedures. Ability to use good judgment and to maintain confidentiality of information. Ability to lead the clinical staff and collaborate with senior management. Ability to demonstrate tact, resourcefulness, patience and dedication. Ability to accept direction and adhere to policies and procedures. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Ability to meet corporate deadlines. Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations. PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND SPECIAL DEMANDS THIS SECTION DESCRIBES HOW AN EMPLOYEE IN THIS POSITION CURRENTLY PERFORMS THE FUNCTIONS OF THIS POSITION. MODIFICATIONS TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THIS JOB MAY BE PERFORMED WILL BE REVIEWED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. Ability to sit for long periods of time, up to eight hours. Ability to reach above and below the waist, turn, twist, manipulate small finger tools. Ability to see well enough to read written materials and have the ability to discern a variety of odors. Ability to spend 10% of the workday outside in temperatures varying from 30°F to 110°F, and spend 10% of the work-day inside in temperatures varying from 60°F to 90°F. Ability to work in an environment in which chemicals are used in cleaning, and dust, mist and steam are frequently generated in housekeeping tasks. Ability to occasionally handle infectious/hazardous waste. Ability to work at a rapid pace and tolerate a variety of repetitive duties and in an environment in which the noise level is occasionally high. Ability to hear via the telephone and paging systems. MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, AND OTHER WORK AIDES: THIS SECTION DESCRIBES THOSE MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, AND OTHER WORK AIDES AN EMPLOYEE IN THIS POSITION MUST BE ABLE TO USE. Telephone and paging systems. Personal computer and printer. Facsimile, Scanner, Copier machines. Policies, procedures, plans and program manuals.