State Hospital Nurse Consultant

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Corpus Christi, TX

61d•$7,533 - $8,886•Hybrid

About The Position

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage. Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of ten psychiatric hospitals, two youth residential treatment facilities, and thirteen state supported living centers. Psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below. The Nursing Consultant (Nurse III) reports to the Chief of Nursing for State Hospitals and operates within the scope of a registered nurse. The role involves planning, developing, coordinating, and evaluating quality assurance/quality improvement initiatives in line with Joint Commission and Texas State Hospital policies. Responsibilities include gathering and analyzing data to identify clinical issues, evaluating nursing services, and providing improvement recommendations. The consultant assists with staff education on deficiencies, monitors long-term goals for state hospital nursing departments, and ensures compliance with federal and state regulations. Collaborating with leadership, the consultant optimizes staffing, recruitment, and retention efforts, and reviews medical records and assessments to ensure adherence to standards of care. The Nursing Consultant (Nurse III) works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP)activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Requirements

Licensed to practice as a registered nurse (RN) in the State of Texas (or state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact).
Three (3) years of work experience as an RN in a recognized health agency, hospital, or health care facility.
Knowledge of state and federal laws for individuals with mental health issues rules, regulations, policy and procedures related to State Hospital.
Knowledge of the laws and rules of the Texas Board of Nursing.
Knowledge of Texas Nurse Practice Act, including the Texas Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations, and the role of nursing peer review in the provision of both professional nursing and vocational nursing.
Knowledge of emergency procedures and emergency equipment, i.e., CPR., and ability to assess and care for residents and/or staff members in emergency situations.
Knowledge of nursing care standards, the Settlement Agreement and the Healthcare Guidelines.
Skill and knowledge related to supervising employees.
Skill in the care and treatment of patients and in the use of nursing treatment tools and equipment.
Skill in analyzing problems, formulating and implementing plans of corrections, and to successfully lead change.
Skills in the use of computer/software and an electronic health record system.
Skill in time management and prioritization.
Ability to communicate effectively to groups and individuals.
Ability to achieve and maintain collaborative relationships.
Ability to train all levels of staff.
Ability to analyze and develop policies, procedures, and reports.
Ability to interpret regulations and communicate them effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to evaluate services, identify concerns/trends and develop meaningful plans for improvement.
Ability to organize, coordinate, and evaluate nursing activities.
Ability to instruct, train, oversee and provide guidance to others.
Ability to maintain required continuing education hours.
Proficient in the use of computer/software and knowledge of electronic health care systems

Nice To Haves

Graduation from a Nursing Program accredited by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners preferred.
Two (2) years of experience working in the state hospital system preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides on-site mentoring and consultation to the state hospitals regarding nurse training, deployment, and retention efforts.
Travels within Texas to complete duties related to on-site visits entails offering direct guidance and expert advice to state hospitals within the organization on critical areas such as nurse education, effective staffing strategies, and methods to improve nurse retention.
Reviews system data and trends in order to find anomalies and offer assistance to nursing services related to staffing inclusive of recruitment and retention strategies.
Reviews position and deployment data within nursing departments to ensure resources are utilized effectively to provide the best services to patients in the hospital system.
Evaluates nursing care trends to include timeliness and thoroughness of documentation for nursing care services subsequently providing recommendations for action at the system and facility level.
Collaborates with SH nursing education programs to ensure evidenced based practice nursing curriculum is incorporated into education of nurses.
Provides trainings as nursing practice evolves to ensure the state hospital system stays current with identified best practices.
Practices professional & prudent nursing education in compliance with the Nurse Practice Act and agency/facility policies and procedures.
Prepares and provides operational reports and data analysis utilizing various computer software programs such as Tableau, Excel, and others that may be approved and helpful.
Assists with quality assurance processes, including monitoring and evaluating progress towards identified plans of correction.
Routinely participate in the creation of reports for stakeholders, leadership, or legislature utilizing knowledge of patient care practices, familiarity with the Joint Commission standards, and best practices.
Reviews medical records, audit scores, and evaluation tools for designated areas of monitoring.
Provides assistance establishing and monitoring goals, short and long-range plans for nursing departmental improvements.
Evaluates the educational needs of nurses and ensures compliance with required certifications and licensure checks annually.
Assists facilities in goal planning and action plan implementation.
Provides assistance in directing nursing operations to effectively achieve the vision and strategic, financial, and operational goals that have been developed by the nursing department, facility, or state hospital system.
Actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP)activation.