Natchaug Hospital is the primary provider of a regional system of care for children, adolescents and adults with mental illness and substance abuse problems. Natchaug and its various community-based programs serve people of all ages and stations in life. Our goal is to provide the highest quality diagnostic and treatment services customized to address the special needs of each individual in our care.
Position Summary:
The Director of Nursing will lead In-Patient Psychiatric services, staff education and infectious disease oversight within patient care services at Natchaug Hospital. The Director will shape and interpret the philosophy and definition of psychiatric care as it relates to patient care, staff development, resource and budget management, staffing, performance improvement and healthcare system utilization.
Key Accountabilities:
- Develops clinical expertise of staff by role modeling, teaching and coaching and mentoring. Uses knowledge and expertise to identify potential problems and/or resources for patients and families
- Demonstrates clinical inquiry by anticipating and identifying evidence-based opportunities for improvement that promote practice and change. Develops and implements a performance improvement program that focuses on clinical innovation
- Recommends departmental policies, procedures and best practices for approval. Implements approved policies, procedures and practices in a timely and efficient manner
- Demonstrates advocacy and moral agency by advocating on behalf of the department to represent the concerns of patients, families and staff. Works in collaboration with multidisciplinary and multi-agency teams to balance technology with values that emphasize quality of life, consumer choice, risk-benefit decisions, access and integrity of life. Provides leadership in creating an ethical practice environment for professional practice
- Functions as a facilitator of learning by modifying, developing and evaluating program-based education programs, monitoring the learning needs of staff and designing educational opportunities to enhance the knowledge and skills of staff while serving as a mentor for professional practice
- Cultivates an environment that is supportive of staff's professional and personal growth. Ensures that all staff members maintain level of competency-based practice based on patient population
- Initiates and maintains departmental professional growth and development. Maintains current knowledge and keeps abreast of new developments within field of discipline
- Demonstrates systems thinking by recognizing, responding and following up on all issues, concerns and suggestions on behalf of the patient population and staff. Provides timely follow-up on critical incidents and provides leadership in system redesign to promote a culture of safety. Assumes accountability for daily operations at the unit level and allocates resources and coordinates services to optimize patient care
- Demonstrates collaboration by leading and participating in departmental and hospital programs, committees, and special projects to achieve desired outcomes
- Directs labor and workforce management initiatives, including staffing optimization, labor cost control, and compliance with collective bargaining agreements, to ensure operational efficiency and exceptional patient care
- Drives organizational performance through the analysis of clinical, operational, and financial metrics, leading budget planning, forecasting, productivity improvement, and resource management initiatives
- Provides strategic leadership for patient flow, census management, acuity oversight, and payer mix optimization to support clinical excellence, regulatory compliance, and financial sustainability
Qualifications:- Bachelor's and Master's degrees are required. At least one degree must be in Nursing
- Current license in good standing to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Connecticut
- Four plus years of progressive leadership experience
- Ability to assess problems, determine solutions and make decisions within a timely manner
- Ability to align goals with the strategic goals of the organization, as well as understand external impacts on internal strategy
- Familiarity with current best practices in integrated health delivery and improvement methodology for practice redesign
- The ability to leverage the technical expertise of internal and external resources while managing competing demands
- Utilize consultation and team approaches on program assessment, development and management
- The desire to effectively serve vulnerable populations with respect and dignity
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to establish relationships, build networks, and generate resources to meet the needs of the organization and the community
- Superior analytical skills, integrity, and an ethical and fair philosophy
- Has the courage to make tough decisions and have courageous conversations. Owns the decision
