Nurse V Assistant Chief Nurse Executive

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•San Antonio, TX

3d•$9,055 - $13,051•Onsite

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 Nurse V, Assistant Chief Nurse Executive (SH) performs advanced professional nursing work overseeing the daily operations of the nursing department at the State Hospital (SH). Ensures the delivery of quality nursing care, effective staffing, and compliance with applicable healthcare regulations. Provides leadership to nursing staff, supports implementation of policies and procedures, and develops guidelines to promote compliance with health-related laws, rules, and regulations. Performs managerial functions for assigned staff including hiring, professional development and performance evaluation. Collaborates and coordinates closely with medical staff, other nursing staff, and other department heads to ensure integration of nursing services toward optimal outcomes for persons served. Coordinates and evaluates the provision of education and training to nursing staff and others. Supports the CNE to oversee implementation of corrective action plans and quality improvement plans. Provides direct care nursing services when needed. Works under the direction of the Chief Nurse Executive with minimal supervision and extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include 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

Knowledge of state and federal laws for individuals with psychiatric and intellectual rules, regulations, policy and procedures related to SH or ability to quickly gain that knowledge.
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 individuals and/or staff members in emergency situations.
Knowledge of nursing care standards, or ability to quickly gain knowledge.
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 successfully leading evidence based change.
Skills in the use of computer/software and an electronic health record system.
Skill in time management and prioritization.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present ideas clearly and concisely in both written and oral communications.
Skill working in a setting with other professional disciplines.
Strong interpersonal skills which promote teamwork
Ability to appropriately interact with individuals served, with their family members and with staff members.
Ability to provide patient care and to prepare and maintain records.
Ability to work independently and productively with all levels of staff.
Must maintain current CPR certification.
Must have strength and flexibility to safely perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Therapeutic intervention prevention strategies (TIPS).
Ability to interpret regulations and communicate them effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to analyze, assimilate, and integrate information to make nursing judgments about conditions and the acuity of conditions, to develop plans of care, and to evaluate outcomes of care.
Ability to organize, coordinate, and evaluate nursing activities.
Ability to instruct, train, oversee and provide guidance to others.
Ability to manage time effectively.
Licensed to practice as a registered nurse in the state of Texas (or a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact).
Must have or be able to obtain facility approved CPR certification.
Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited nursing program or from an accredited university with major coursework in nursing.
Five (5) years of experience in direct nursing practice as a practicing registered nurse in a recognized health care facility.
Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).
Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco and Terrell Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.
Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required.

Nice To Haves

Three (3) years’ experience as an administrative nurse with supervisory authority over other nurses preferred.
Experience working as a team lead or nursing manager preferred.

Responsibilities

Oversees and evaluates the day-to-day operations of the nursing department, ensuring optimal care and treatment of individuals served. Oversees the process for proper scheduling to ensure adequate nursing coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week based upon levels of acuity of individuals, and to ensure resident needs are met, including an on-call nursing schedule. Collaborates and coordinates closely with medical staff, other nursing staff, and other department heads to ensure integration of nursing services toward optimal outcomes for persons served. Oversees allocation of RNs, LVNs , and PNAs, adjusting staffing assignments based on current needs and acuity.
Directs and oversees the work of the nurse managers who supervise the direct care nursing staff. Directly or indirectly supervises all nursing staff. Provides clinical direction and expertise and ensures that care provided is based on an appropriate developmental level to meet specific and specialized individual needs. Hires, trains, and promotes professional growth of the employees within the department so that a competent workforce is maintained. Conducts performance evaluations of assigned staff to give employees timely feedback on their performance and oversees staff development plans and activities. Monitors staffing issues such as turnover, retention, and use of overtime, and takes action to improve these areas.
Develops, reviews, and revises nursing policies and procedures to promote a professional environment and ensure alignment with program mission and organizational standards. Develops guidelines to promote compliance with nursing laws, rules, and regulations. Participates in quality assurance and continuous improvement activities related to nursing policies, procedures and their implementation. Provides clear guidance to nurse nursing staff to support effective implementation. Ensures appropriate administration of corrective and adverse personnel actions as required.
Provides clinical direction and expertise to ensure that care provided meets the specific and specialized needs of the individual. Provides guidance, training and support to nursing managers and supervisors to assist them in developing their staff, and escalates concerns as appropriate, such as seeking consultation on complex cases when needed. Provides consultation, technical assistance and support to house supervisors to make adjustments to the nurse staffing schedule to meet individuals need. Provides technical assistance to nursing staff and direct care staff on how to implement patient centered recovery plans (PCRPs).
Promotes a teaching environment that empowers nurses to provide effective, compassionate, and efficient nursing care. Fosters a climate for nursing practice that enhances job satisfaction through mutual respect for productivity and quality improvement. Facilitates, coaches, and mentor’s others in the development and deployment of strategies to ensure optimal levels of nursing services are available to individuals 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Ensures award and recognition activities promote staff morale and acknowledges contributions made by individuals and teams within all levels of nursing services.
Reviews medical records and patient assessments to determine compliance with policies and procedures, correctness of assessment, standards of care, and quality of service. Formulates, completes, and submits data regarding findings to the CNE following designated guidelines. Takes action to correct deficiencies. Oversees and conducts clinical reviews to ensure adequate clinical care is provided to individuals when assigned. Evaluates the PCRPs as assigned by the CNE, to ensure they accurately and definitively direct the implementation of all necessary care based up on the trend analysis of health care needs and/or issues to the appropriate person.
Oversees the daily nursing care of the individuals provided by the nursing staff including medication administration, medical care, performing routine and specialty treatments, and observing patients for unusual symptoms and reactions. Oversees process for physical, developmental, and psychosocial assessments to determine need for specialized health services. Demonstrates thorough knowledge of the nursing process and nursing procedures. Ensures effective nursing participation in interdisciplinary teams. Provides leadership and direction to ensure nursing compliance with person-centered planning in order to create an environment that empowers individuals to have as much participation as possible in all decision-making activities that affect his/her life and ensures that the individual directs the planning process of a plan of supports and services that meet his/her personal outcomes. Promotes safety and wellbeing of staff at the SH.
Conducts monitoring for nursing compliance with state and federal laws, regulations, and rules using established monitoring and program compliance tools to ensure optimum performance of the nursing department. Oversees preparation for and responds to information requests from the Joint Commission and/or Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) certification audits. Oversees monitoring conducted by nurse managers and provides feedback to ensure interrater reliability. Uses information from monitoring to address both personnel and system issues and guide future corrective action plans (CAPs) and performance improvement plans (PIPs). Conducts periodic monitoring of nursing staff, by visiting units and other locations where services are provided and directing and evaluating activities to ensure goals and operational standards are met. Models appropriate interaction with staff and individuals served. Provides feedback to nurse managers.
Supports the Chief Nurse Executive (CNE) to oversee implementation of quality assurance processes including overseeing and evaluating progress of improvement plans for nursing services. Assists in the design, development, and implementation of systems that evaluate and contribute to the quality of patient care. Supports the development and implementation of corrective action plans (CAPs) and performance improvement plans (PIPs) as directed by the Chief Nurse Executive. Alerts leadership to safety/risk management issues and actively facilitates problem-solving strategies. Ensures that patient’s rights are protected by addressing issues found in patient care reports, client abuse and neglect reports, and other reporting mechanisms. Assists investigations and trains nursing staff on resolving complaints.
Works with the CNE, Nurse Educator and others to coordinate information dissemination efforts to staff, residents, and other stakeholders to promote awareness of health care issues or concerns at the SH. Ensures that all departmental staff are compliant in training per agency and facility standards. Provides opportunities for in-service and continuing education training for all nursing staff to ensure others maintain competence in nursing best practice. Complies with state mandated continuing education to maintain licensure as a registered nurse. Evaluates the available continuing education programs available, such as Lippincott, and makes recommendations for improvements. Develops and implements in-service training to address areas identified for corrective action and quality improvement.
Serves as a resource and subject matter expert on nursing protocols, and activities. Participates on and/or chairs various committees as assigned such as Nurse Leadership Committee, Quality Improvement Council, Pharmacy and Therapeutics. Communicates and/or interfaces orally and/or in writing with other SH departments, HHS State Office, family members/guardians and other state and local entities in order to improve services, provide information, and conduct business. Facilitates an atmosphere of interactive management and the development of collegial relationships among nursing personnel and others. Participates in the development and support of partnerships within the organization and key stakeholders, including individuals and their families, and other departments. Works with external organizations such as universities, professional groups, advocacy groups, and the public to facilitate community involvement. Supports and fosters academic linkages with colleges, universities, and other applicable training programs.
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.