Clinical & Departmental Operations
- Ensure delivery of safe, evidence-based nursing care.
- Monitors patient care activities and ensures the proper application of department policy and procedure and adherence to National Patient Safety goals. Ensures that nursing care is based on the nursing process and evaluates the effectiveness on an ongoing basis.
- Oversees clinical standards, implements evidence-based practices, and acts as a patient advocate during rounds.
- Monitor patient flow to reduce wait times and improve throughput.
- Oversee triage processes and Emergency Severity Index (ESI) compliance.
- Coordinate care with inpatient units, surgery, laboratory, radiology, respiratory therapy, and ancillary departments.
- Develop staffing plans based on patient census and acuity.
- Manages shift rosters, monitors patient acuity, and adjusts staffing levels to ensure safe nurse-to-patient ratios.
- Ensure emergency preparedness and disaster response readiness.
- Monitor emergency department capacity and diversion status.
- Monitor inpatient services
- Plan, organize, and administer work in the Emergency Department and Inpatient Services by establishing services, policies, and procedures in accordance with hospital goals.
- Ensure continuous, accurate, timely, and cost-effective emergency services are provided to all patients.
- Interpret organizational and departmental policies for staff, analyze and resolve conflicts, and maintain a cohesive work environment.
- Assure that the work environment is safe and that staff have the necessary, functional equipment and supplies to achieve high-quality clinical outcomes.
- Conduct routine clinical rounding on newly admitted or presenting patients in the Emergency Department and Inpatient areas to directly address patient and family concerns.
- Respiratory Operations - ensure seamless clinical collaboration between the inpatient nursing units and the Respiratory Care department.
- Monitor respiratory quality metrics
- Manage emergency airway equipment to guarantee code carts, rapid response bags, and backup respiratory supplies are continuously stocked, tested, and compliant with safety codes.
- Oversee mechanical ventilation protocols
- Ensure staff competency in respiratory care
Financial Management & Budgeting
- Develop, implement, and monitor the Emergency Department's and Inpatient Services annual operating, personnel, and capital budgets.
- Perform ongoing analyses to evaluate and recommend equipment and supplies for purchase, lease, or rental within budget and group purchasing contracts.
- Control overtime and agency staffing costs.
- Collaborate closely with the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to review major expenditures and complete appropriate capital justification forms.
- Manage department staffing grids to optimize productivity standards while maintaining patient safety and high-quality care.
- Monitor revenue cycle opportunities affecting emergency services.
Leadership & Staff Management
- Direct and oversee all Emergency Department and Med Surg operations and Respiratory operations.
- Develop departmental strategic goals aligned with the hospital's mission.
- Foster a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and excellence.
- Lead department managers, charge nurses, educators, and clinical staff.
- Participate in hospital leadership committees.
- Collaborate with the Chief Nursing Officer and medical leadership on organizational initiatives.
- Lead departmental meetings and communicate organizational priorities.
- Complete annual performance evaluations and conduct individual review sessions semi-annually to foster professional growth and improve work performance.
- Steps into the staff role whenever needed. Delivers appropriate care to patients, at a competent level, according to the needs of the patient/population served.
- Responsible for creating and implementing departmental policies and procedures to enhance patient care.
Quality & Performance Improvement
- Responsible for creating and implementing departmental policies and procedures to enhance patient care.
- Lead quality improvement initiatives.
- Monitor department performance indicators including:
- Door-to-provider time
- Left Without Being Seen (LWBS)
- Length of stay
- Patient satisfaction
- Sepsis compliance
- Stroke metrics
- STEMI metrics
- Trauma response times
- Medication safety
- Infection prevention
- Analyze quality data and implement corrective action plans.
- Participate in Root Cause Analyses (RCA).
- Lead Performance Improvement (PI) projects.
- Collaborates with staff and other disciplines to improve processes related to patient care and satisfaction using QI/PI tools.
- Identify opportunities for workflow efficiencies, departmental cost savings, and enhanced patient safety.
- Review chart audit results regularly to identify compliance gaps and training opportunities.
- Educate staff on National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs) and Core Measure metrics, ensuring full compliance in daily practice.
- Actively engage staff in the decision-making process to drive employee satisfaction and engagement.
Physical Requirements
- Frequent standing, walking, and clinical rounding throughout the Emergency Department.
- Occasional prolonged sitting during administrative and budget tasks.
- Ability to respond rapidly to clinical emergencies or crisis situations.
- Ability to lift up to 20 pounds occasionally.
- Exposure to clinical environments where infectious diseases and medical equipment hazards are present.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Patient Satisfaction: Achieves and maintains department patient satisfaction targets.
- Throughput Metrics: Minimizes Front-End times (Door-to-Provider) and optimizes Total Length of Stay (LOS) for discharged and admitted patients.
- Left Without Being Seen (LWBS): Maintains LWBS rates below the national/organizational benchmark.
- Patient satisfaction (HCAHPS/Press Ganey or equivalent)
- Nurse turnover and vacancy rates
- Overtime and labor productivity
- Staff engagement scores
- Falls and medication errors
- Hospital-acquired infection rates
- Sepsis bundle compliance
- Stroke and STEMI response times
- Trauma quality indicators
- Budget Compliance: Manages department operational, labor, and capital expenses within approved limits.
- Staff Retention: Meets or exceeds annual nursing and support staff retention targets.
- Regulatory & Quality Standards: Achieves 100% compliance with Core Measures, chart audit requirements, and CIHQ/CMS surveys.
