DIRECTOR, MCH, NICU

Director Maternal Child Health

The Director is a Registered Nurse who assumes 24 hour administrative responsibility and is accountable for the strategic planning, direction, organization and control of the inpatient Maternal Child Health Department. This position is responsible for the direction of clinical delivery of care and meeting fiscal goals. The director supervises, assesses, plans, implements and evaluates the delivery of patient care. Develops and implements departmental plans, including performance improvement activities and compliance with current regulations. Assumes 24 hour accountability for the departments. Supervises and evaluates all personnel assigned to the unit and effectively utilizes nursing personnel, time responsibilities for the unit and is directly accountable to the Assistant Administrator of Patient Care Services or Director. Communicates with staff, physicians and administration both written and verbally. Assumes house supervisory responsibilities as assigned, including responding to codes throughout the hospital, assessing and charting, and following through with appropriate documentation. Consults with staff, physicians and Nurse Executive on nursing issues and interpretation of hospital policies to ensure patient needs are met. Maintains performance improvement activities within the department and participates in PI activities/formulates budget for the department. The position is accountable to the County, State and Federal agencies as well as Joint Commission for maintaining compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and standards and for providing quality patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

1. Establishes priorities of patient care based on essential needs and available resources of time, equipment, personnel and supplies.

2. Confers with other departments or outside resources regarding unit / patient needs.

3. Plans and directs orientation of new hires; a. Provides orientation checklist and ensures completing in a timely manner. b. Oversees preceptors.

4. Supports staff in recognizing signs of abuse and how to report appropriately to Child / Adult Protective Services.

5. Evaluates staff ability to administer and control narcotics including parenteral and blood components. Assists staff in detecting and reporting medication errors and ADR's according to hospital policy.

6. Directs, supervises, and evaluates nursing care provided to patients.

7. Responsible for coordination of unit specific Performance Improvement activities and utilizes the information to improve the quality of patient care.

8. Observes the performance of nursing personnel and completes performance evaluations. Handles appropriate problems with performance of unit personnel and follows up appropriately.

9. Ensures staff consistently complete an accurate pertinent initial assessment on new patients including psychosocial and emotional needs within the established time frame (30 minutes for unstable / critical patients).

10. Consistently uses two patient identifiers when drawing lab, administering medications and performing procedures.

11. Ensures Crash Cart, defibrillation function have been checked per protocol and after each code, appropriate items are immediately replaced and indicated by signature on crash cart checklist.

12. Is in compliance with information contained in the Infection Manual (i.e. OSHA blood borne pathogen standards, CDC Guidelines), and demonstrates appropriate use of personal protective equipment (i.e. gloves, gowns, masks, goggles) and hand washing techniques.

13. Consistently ensures that all clinical alarms i.e. Cardiac monitor alarms are set with the appropriate parameters for the patient and are audible at all times.

14. Avoids and prevents injury to self and patients by applying the principles of body mechanics. Maintains a safe environment, functioning with an awareness and application of safety issues identified within the unit/facility, i.e. suction and oxygen immediately available at all times.

15. Does not use unacceptable abbreviations in documentation and using read back on all telephone orders. Monitors authentication and validation of telephone orders within 24 hours by the physician.

16. Uses professional judgment and clinical assessment in safe patient handling that are consistent with Safe Patient Handling policies.

17. Responsible for the observation and direction of patient lifts, mobilization, and shall participate as needed in patient handling.

18. Attends and maintains mandatory training in safe patient handling, trained in safe lifting techniques, includes but not limited to 1. Appropriate use of lifting devices and equipment, 2) Five areas of body exposure: vertical, lateral, bariatric repositioning and ambulation 3) Use of lifting devices to handle patients safely.

19. Recognizes the need for and makes recommendations about medications, supplies, equipment and personnel needs.

Reviews budget reports on a monthly basis, oversees overtime usage. Participates in recommendations for annual departmental budget.

Responds appropriately and assists with all Code Pink and Code White events.

Questions the presence of unknown/unauthorized persons in the Perinatal Department and notifies security as needed.

Utilizes/activates the chain of command to ensure appropriate care or resolution of any issues pertaining to patient well-being, safety, or appropriateness of care.

Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Qualifications

Education, Experience, Training

• Must have a current and valid state license as a Registered Nurse
• BCLS upon hire and maintain current.
• A minimum of two years supervisory/management experience necessary.
• Must obtain Sexual Harassment Certification within 6 months, and then maintain biennially.
• ACLS, NRP upon hire and maintain current
• Minimum 5 years' experience as a perinatal nurse in an acute care setting
• Bachelor's degree preferred.