Director of Nursing

About the Job

About Us:

We are passionate about kids. Be a part of a team that helps kids grow. Totally Kids Specialty Healthcare is a small pediatric sub-acute hospital with 45 patients. We are the ONLY long-term care hospital dedicated entirely to children. Our residents' ages range from newborn to 21 years of age and we are dedicated to enriching the health and quality of life for our kids. We are always striving to meet the medical, developmental, social, psychological, and spiritual needs of our kids. Be part of a TEAM that passionately cares about the ongoing improvement of our residents. We are looking for a skilled Director of Nursing to become a part of our facility's compassionate caregiving team.

Position Description:

The Director of Nursing will be directly responsible for nursing operations of the subacute nursing facility. Works independently with minimal supervision to collaborate with medical staff, facility managers, and staff members to maintain an environment which contributes to a cohesive team effort. Demonstrates advanced clinical and communication skills and is a role model. Is responsible for providing direction for innovative, cost effective, quality nursing care.

Reporting Relationships:

• Accountable to facility Administrator

Qualifications:

Knowledge:

• Willingness to participate in goal setting and educational activity for own professional development.
• Ability to relate and work effectively with others.
• Demonstrated skill in verbal and written communication.
• Desire and potential for growth in skills and knowledge related to practice.
• Self-directed individual with demonstrated use of initiative.
• Commitment to institutional standards, policies, and departmental philosophy.
• Demonstrates ability to work with residents / Staff in a one-to-one and/or small group setting and with multiple departments.

Education/Training:

• Graduate of accredited School of Nursing.
• Minimum of Bachelor of Science degree in health care or related field.
• Masters in Health Care of related field preferred.

Experience:

• Knowledge and understanding of regulatory agencies governing services in the facility
• Minimum three years of managerial/supervisory experience within the last five years.

License:

• Current California Registered Nurse License.

Certifications:

• Basic Life Support Certification required.
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Reading, writing and verbal skills.
• Lifting requirements: Generally not lifting or carrying objects that weigh greater than 30 pounds.
• Must be able to discern colors.
• Physical skills necessary to operate equipment:
• Must be able to stand, reach in all directions, lift and carry objects.
• Must have fine motor skills.
• Must have 20/20 vision ( correction devices allowed ) and be able to appropriately read patient information, posted materials and other written information.
• Must hear ( correctional devices allowed ) and comprehend well enough to give and receive information for appropriate completion of duties.
• Must be able to speak, read, write and listen in English with a skill level essential for communication in a sub-acute facility.
• Must have normal physical stamina.
• Must be able to perform chest compressions and hand resuscitator ventilations during CPR.
• Must be able to push or pull equipment weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Must be able to bend and twist.
• Must have full use of both hands.
• Must be able to walk intermittently, six to ten hours per shift.
• Ability to concentrate, use good judgment and maintain accuracy in the face of frequent interruptions and heavy workload.

Psychological Requirements:

• Commitment to an understanding of one's level of knowledge, skills and limitations.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain an appropriate level of emotional control with all patient groups; make appropriate safe decisions in critical situations.
• Have the ability to separate personal life from work situation and requirements.
• Have the ability to maintain attitude situationally appropriate; trustworthy, friendly, cooperative, supportive of good customer relations.
• Thought processes are clear and do not demonstrate signs of impairment.
• A willingness to continue to build or improve own skills as well as others.
• Ability to encourage a team environment a team environment among staff within various departments.

Patient / Age Specific Contact:

• Able to oversee a program of appropriate services as they are particularly applied to pediatric and adolescent chronically ill patients. Knowledge should include:
• Technique of delivery of clinical therapeutic & restorative modalities according to age.
• Age specific disease processes including pathophysiology.
• Education specific to life stage relating to diagnosis and condition.

Ability to use Equipment:

• Knowledge and skills necessary to obtain and use appropriate equipment related to the various services performed in this facility and appropriate for position.

Leadership Skills:

• Possesses the ability to lead, delegate, collaborate and follow through with all projects, duties and deadlines.
• Assertively communicates to those supervised the priorities of the operations and ensures that tasks are completed in a timely manner.
• Acts as a role model / mentor for professional & clinical staff.
• Must be able to encourage a positive, cooperative work environment between the various areas supervised and all other clinical and non-clinical departments.
• Promotes open, positive relations with other administrative and managerial staff.

Duties Summary:

Planning:

• Identifies department needs and participates in progress toward departmental goals.
• Defines and monitors the method of care delivery in the facility.
• Designs and provides oversight of implementation of standards of care.
• Collaborates with corporate staff to establish long and short term goals of nursing division.
• Develops and revises job descriptions/job design.
• Identifies, writes, and reviews required departmental policies and procedures.

Leading:

• Acts as a role model in the development of a service attitude reflecting facility's service goals.
• Provides mentorship to division staff by guiding, counseling, and instructing within a favorable learning environment.
• Establish a climate which promotes cohesiveness and loyalty to the facility.
• Communicates corporate goals to the Nursing division.
• Provides oversight of preceptorship of new employees.
• Meets regularly with all direct reports.

Organizing/Coordinating:

• Defines departmental education needs and collaborates with Director of Education to design annual educational goals, in conjunction with other members of the team.
• Guides the development of resident care standards.
• Manages the physical environment to enhance the delivery of resident care.
• Implements nursing quality assurance plan.
• Reinforces staff education in the clinical setting.

Controlling:

• Identifies and corrects safety, fire, and health hazards.
• Develops and maintains effective communication with all members of the
• team and staff members.
• Coordinates nursing Quality Improvement program.
• Provides oversight for the evaluation of performance of division personnel.
• Assists with and coordinates facility recruitment and retention activities.
• Designs and provides oversight for implementation of staff documentation forms.
• Establishes and implements budgeting/cost controls.

Administrative Functions:

• Participates in the identification of appropriate residents for admission to the facility.
• Participates in corporate strategic planning.
• Sponsors public knowledge base of subacute services.
• Coordinates with various disciplines to ensure smooth admission process and care for residents.
• Achieves trust and collaboration in professional collegial relationships.
• Evaluates departmental progress toward facility goals.
• Assumes accountability for on-going evaluation, management, and implementation of cost-effective resident care delivery.

About the Company

Sun Valley Specialty Healthcare is a small pediatric sub-acute hospital with 45 patients. We are the ONLY long-term care hospital dedicated entirely to children. Our residents' ages range from newborn to 21 years of age and we are dedicated to enriching the health and quality of life for our kids. We are always striving to meet the medical, developmental, social, psychological, and spiritual needs of our kids. Be part of a TEAM that passionately cares about the ongoing improvement of our residents.