Director of Nursing - Behavioral Health

Perimeter Healthcare•Kenner, LA

About The Position

The Director of Nursing is responsible for the provision of effective and efficient clinical services provided at the facility. Reports directly to the Administrator/CEO for all operational responsibilities and clinical operations. Works in conjunction with the Medical Director and Administrator to ensure that all nursing services are provided within applicable laws and guidelines.

Requirements

Good physical and mental health as evidenced by warm, empathetic attitude.
Respect for the dignity and worth of both patients and staff and have a high sense of personal integrity.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Proactive, strategic and detail-oriented approaches with a strong commitment to quality, efficiency and effectiveness.
Maintain current CPR and CPI.
Must have at least one of the following qualifications: A. a master’s degree in psychiatric or mental health nursing; or B. a master’s degree in a related field such as psychology or nursing education and five years nursing experience and three years providing nursing care to the mentally ill; or C. a bachelor’s, associate degree or diploma in nursing with documented evidence of educational programs focused on treating psychiatric patients, which has occurred at intervals sufficient enough to keep the nurse current on psychiatric nursing techniques. In addition, the nurse shall have at least five years of nursing experience, three of which were providing nursing care to the mentally ill, or receive regular, documented supervision/consultation from a master’s prepared psychiatric nurse.

Responsibilities

Supervision of RN’s, LPN’s, MHT’s, contract and paraprofessional staff for the twenty-four hour administration of nursing services.
Ensures an adequate number of RN’s, LPN’s, MHT’s, to provide care necessary under each patient’s active treatment program and to maintain progress notes on each patient
Plans, organizes, schedules, assigns, evaluates, and directs work of nursing staff.
Assists with budgeting under the guidance of the CEO.
Ensures the availability of RN coverage 24 hours each day. Works closely with Human Resources Manager to ensure adequate utilization of overtime, contract and agency staff.
Assessment, planning, provision, and evaluation of psychiatric care to patients.
Management of therapeutic milieu.
Provision of mandatory and voluntary in-service training to all staff
Participates in interdisciplinary formulation of individual treatment plans. Directs Patient Treatment Planning/Staffing reviews.
Provision of specialized treatments and therapies such as individual, group, and family therapies, requiring the clinical expertise of a professional psychiatric nurse
Participates in New Hire Orientation and facilitates job specific orientation for RN’s, LPN’s, MHT’s
Ensures competencies for RN’s, LPN’s, MHT’s are completed within 90 days of hire and annually during annual education
Provides direction and oversight for health programs and activities, including communicable disease control, tuberculosis control, sexually transmitted disease and AIDS prevention and control.
Stays abreast of federal, state, and local laws and regulations complying with infection control and employee health standards
Addresses and investigates staff concerns, involving Human Resources when necessary
Plans, implements, and evaluates nursing staff development programs.
Plans and implements nursing performance improvement program in conjunction with Director of Quality, Risk, and Compliance.
Turns in PI data monthly and as needed for COW
Attends, is prepared for, and actively participates in flash meetings, afternoon huddle, COW, Med Exec, and any other meetings as scheduled
Develops standards for the recruitment, appropriate utilization, and retention of high quality nursing personnel
Coordinates risk management activities to reduce or eliminate patient/staff/visitor injuries, illnesses, death, and/or financial loss to include identification, formulation, data collection , and reporting to Administration, Medical Director and Governing Board.
Manages Daily census of unit, and staffing according to matrix, acuity, and anticipates needs, follow up with Administrator, Marketing, and Intake.
Coordinates Performance Activity initiatives to include identification, formulation, data collection, and reporting to administration, Medical Director, and Governing Board.
Coordinates Pharmacy and Therapeutic activity to include identification, formulation, data collection, and reporting to Administration, Medical Director and Governing Board.
Ensure security and proper handling of classified information.