Director of Nursing, Women & Infants Center

Director of Nursing, Women & Infants Center # Director of Nursing, Women & Infants CenterHot JobWashington Regional Med. Ctr. - Fayetteville, AR 72703## OverviewPosition TypeFull TimeJob ShiftDaysEducation LevelLicensed in related fieldCategoryDirector## Description**Organization Overview, Mission, Vision, and Values**Our mission is to improve the health of people in the communities we serve through compassionate, high-quality care, prevention, and wellness education. Washington Regional Medical System is a community-owned, locally governed, non-profit health care system located in Northwest Arkansas in the heart of Fayetteville, which is consistently ranked among the Best Places to live in the country. Our 425-bed medical center has been named the #1 hospital in Arkansas for six consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report. We employ 3,200+ team members and serve the region with over 40 clinic locations, the region’s only Level II trauma center, and five Centers of Excellence - the Washington Regional J.B. Hunt Transport Services Neuroscience Institute; Washington Regional Walker Heart Institute; Washington Regional Women and Infants Center; Washington Regional Total Joint Center; and Washington Regional Pat Walker Center for Seniors.**Position Summary**Reporting to the Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer, the Director of Nursing, Women & Infants Center provides clinical, operational, and administrative leadership for Labor & Delivery, Postpartum, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the obstetric emergency/triage service, and lactation and community education. The Director plans, directs, and evaluates nursing services across these areas, with accountability for quality and safety, nursing practice, workforce development, financial stewardship, and the patient and family experience. In collaboration with nursing leaders, medical staff, and interdisciplinary partners, the Director promotes coordinated maternal and neonatal care, effective patient flow, and data-driven improvements in service, productivity, and clinical operations.**Essential Position Responsibilities*** Develop objectives and operational plans for Labor & Delivery, Postpartum, NICU, and obstetric emergency/triage services; partner with the Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer to secure approval of priorities, implementation plans, and budgets.* Evaluate service delivery, capacity, and patient flow across the Women & Infants Center; implement operational improvements that support timely access, coordinated transitions, and effective use of resources.* Oversee maternal and neonatal quality and safety initiatives, including review of care outcomes, safety events, and improvement opportunities in partnership with nursing leaders and medical staff.* Oversee procedures, staff education, and competency validation for the safe use of maternal and neonatal equipment in collaboration with clinical educators and appropriate support departments.* Develop, implement, and maintain nursing policies and procedures for maternal and neonatal services; coordinate interdisciplinary workflows for assessment, escalation, admission, transfer, and discharge.* Coordinate readiness for internal and external audits, accreditation surveys, and regulatory reviews; partner with Quality, Compliance, and medical leadership to address requirements applicable to maternal, neonatal, and obstetric emergency/triage services.* Manage operating and capital budgets, staffing resources, productivity, supplies, and equipment needs; align resource allocation with patient acuity, volume, and the specialized needs of each service.* Interview, hire, train, evaluate the performance of and, when necessary, discipline and discharge personnel* Review recommendations of subordinate supervisory and managerial personnel regarding employee relations matters and provide assistance and guidance in resolving complex problems* Use clinical, operational, and patient experience data to establish priorities, monitor improvement plans, and strengthen communication, education, and family-centered care across maternal and neonatal services.* Maintain policies and practices consistent with applicable accreditation standards, federal, state, and local requirements, and organizational policies; collaborate with Compliance to clarify requirements affecting the obstetric emergency evaluation and triage service current operating model and designation status.* Prepare and review departmental reports and analyses addressing patient volumes, acuity, staffing, productivity, financial performance, quality outcomes, patient experience, and obstetric triage throughput.* Maintain collaborative relationships with obstetric, neonatal, anesthesia, emergency, and other clinical and support teams to coordinate care, resolve operational barriers, and support service development.* Responsible for proper use, repair and replacement of equipment in order to maintain smooth functioning of departmental activities* Maintain current knowledge of maternal and neonatal nursing practice, nursing leadership, and service delivery trends through professional education and literature; incorporate relevant evidence into departmental improvement efforts.* Support nursing research and evidence-based practice initiatives in collaboration with medical staff and clinical educators, including evaluation of new practices and maintenance of appropriate project records.* Provide operational oversight of obstetric emergency evaluation and triage service; coordinate staffing, timely assessment, escalation, disposition, and collaboration with Labor & Delivery and the hospital emergency department.**Additional Responsibilities*** Integrate the department into the primary function of the Medical Center, including being responsive to changing needs or unusual/urgent events that occur within the Medical Center and participating in cross-organizational activities designed to improve organizational performance, as appropriate.* Coordinate and integrate inter- and intra-departmental services.* Develop, gain administrative approval of, and implement policies and procedures that guide and support the provision of departmental services.* Recommend a sufficient number of qualified and competent persons to provide departmental services and assist in the Medical Center's recruiting and retention efforts to provide the number of staff recommended.* Determine the qualifications and competence of department personnel.* Continually assess the needs for and strive to improve the performance of care and quality of the services provided.* Maintain, as appropriate, quality control and quality improvement programs.* Provide directly or provide access to orientation and continuing education of all personnel in the department.* Make recommendations for space and other resources needed by the department as necessary.* Participation in the selection of off-site resources needed for services related to the department but not provided by the department.* Conduct regular staff meetings to communicate issues regarding the Medical Center's mission, values, operational plans, safety, quality, and other relevant inter- and intra-departmental issues.* Provide timely and effective feedback to individuals responsible for coordinating organizational performance improvement activities and, on an individual and departmental level, actively participate in those activities, as appropriate**Qualifications*** Education: Master’s degree in business, healthcare administration or related field preferred. Arkansas Registered Nurse license and CPR, required.* Minimum of seven (7) years of directly related healthcare leadership experience, with relevant experience in maternal, neonatal, or women and infants services, including data analysis, team leadership, implementation of systematic improvements, and development of policies and procedures that support patient- and family-centered care.* Possession of a valid Arkansas driver's license is a requirement for this job.**Professional Skills** * Approximately seven to ten years of progressively responsible related experience, including five to seven years of supervisory and managerial experience, with the ability to direct nursing operations across Labor & Delivery, Postpartum, NICU, and obstetric emergency/triage services.* Advanced interpersonal skills necessary in order to provide effective leadership to subordinate personnel and effectively communicate with a wide variety of hospital personnel, community residents and outside agencies personnel.* Advanced analytical skills necessary in order to develop and implement new policies, techniques and procedures, determines need for capital equipment, personnel, expense and revenue budgets, and prepare special and recurring reports or analyses. #J-18808-Ljbffr