Director of Behavioral Health

Insight • Chicago, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The clinical nurse director is a registered professional nurse who provides for the administration, direction, planning, implementation, facilitation, and evaluation of patient care provided in the mental health and addiction dependency unit. This position ensures incorporation of current mental health and addictions care theory and practice standards in the development and implementation of the philosophy, policy, procedures, objectives and patient care standards of the areas. As director, fiscal responsibility for budget preparation and achievement is a priority. The director is responsible for overall unit operation including quality, cost and service excellence. The clinical director supervises human resource utilization and performance. These duties are to be performed in a highly confidential manner, in accordance with the mission, values and behaviors of Mercy Hospital and Medical Center. Employees are further expected to provide a high quality of care, service, and kindness toward all patients, staff, physicians, volunteers and guests.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing required.
• BSN required
• Current RN License in the State of Illinois required
• Current CPR certification required
• Ability to quickly recognize changes in condition and needs of the patient care unit.
• Knowledge of growth and development needs of staff.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of accuracy in carrying out work duties.

Nice To Haves

• MSN preferred
• Previous nursing management experience preferred
• ACLS certification preferred
• Certification in mental health or addictions nursing preferred
• LCSW preferred

Responsibilities

• Supervises and provides direction for the patient care management process incorporating the attributes of Careful Nursing for all patients in the area of responsibility.
• Understands and implements a patient care model that reflects state of the art practice with development and achievement of short and long term goals.
• Interprets the patient care model to staff and validates their understanding of the work patterns required to support the model.
• Fosters an atmosphere of teamwork and interdependence among staff members.
• Develops and achieves project completion within identified timelines.
• Supports staff members in their daily activities by ensuring those processes which impact patient care are functioning appropriately.
• Participates in direct care as needed and functions as a clinical resource to staff.
• Works directly with other managers in the hospital to ensure a smooth flow for patient care which puts the "Patient First".
• Strengthens relationships with other departments actively pursuing solutions to interdepartmental problems.
• Works proactively to adjust staffing levels to meet patient volume, requesting adjustments to budget allocations when appropriate.
• Identifies, plans and implements continuing education and professional development for personnel.
• Ensures that staff members receive the training and education necessary to provide safe and effective care to patients in their area of responsibility.
• Manages the human resources necessary for the efficient and effective provision of services in their area of responsibility.
• Selects, evaluates, disciplines and terminates personnel with consistency and within time frames.
• Holds staff accountable for their actions.
• Utilizes leadership techniques with staff to ensure staff participation in department and hospital activities.
• Meets regularly with staff to provide information and receive feedback.
• Develops an effective communication style.
• Develops and provides for adequate orientation of new staff members.
• Provides ongoing schedules for staff following Mercy policies and staff requests.
• Counsels staff regarding performance and growth opportunities
• Evaluates staff in a consistent, timely and fair manner, making recommendations related to improvement, promotion and continued employment
• Maintains an atmosphere of "zero tolerance" for non-Mercy behaviors.
• Assumes responsibility and accountability for all activities involved in the financial management of the area of responsibility.
• Completes payroll review and authorization in a timely manner.
• Monitors staffing levels and agency usage on a daily basis, matching staffing levels to current patient volume.
• Completes monthly budget variance analysis reports in a timely manner.
• Responds to electronic variance notices in a timely manner.
• Works with unit staff to ensure efficient and cost effective use of supplies.
• Assumes responsibility and accountability for yearly budget preparation based on projected volumes, strategic goals and budget guidelines.
• Proposes cost saving solutions.
• Utilizes the OptiLink system.
• Interprets, develops and communicates essential information about their area of responsibility.
• Make rounds daily on the patient care area to maintain awareness of discharges, admissions, complaints and potential problems.
• Communicates issues in a proactive manner to the Risk Manager, Infection Control Practitioner and supervisor.
• Facilitates the discharge process by communicating with residents, attending physicians and other departments as needed.
• Assumes responsibility and accountability for performance improvement activities within the area of responsibility.
• Ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements within the area of responsibility.
• Develops performance improvement monitors within the area of responsibility and Patient Care Services.
• Educates staff members regarding the performance improvement process and involves them in completion of the process.
• Provides data reports, measurable results and action plans for further improvement on a regular basis to the supervisor.
• Establishes, implements and evaluates a unit plan consistent with the overall goals and strategic plan of Patient Care Services and Mercy Hospital.
• Develops yearly goals during the strategic planning process.
• Provides quarterly updates with measurable results as directed.
• Communicates plans to staff members and encourages their involvement in working to meet the goals.
• Serves as the liaison between their area of responsibility and all other hospital departments.
• Serves on hospital committees as directed.
• Provides updates to the Patient Care Services Management Team on a regular basis.
• Takes information from Patient Care Services back to the committee for consideration.
• Ensures that care is provided for all patients utilizing the attributes of Careful Nursing.
• Trustworthy collaboration
• Health Education
• Perfect skill in fostering safety and comfort
• Participatory – authoritative management
• Carries out other duties related to patient care and unit operations as assigned.

Benefits

• Employees are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 as a condition of employment, subject to accommodation for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director