Public Health Nursing Officer (Exempt)

Government of the Virgin Islands

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Commissioner or designee, the Public Health Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) provides leadership, direction, and evaluation for patient care services across all nursing areas, including the Educational Institute, Employee Health, Case Management, and Medical Social Services departments. This position ensures consistent, high-quality patient care and is responsible for establishing standards of nursing practice for the Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Health, as well as mechanisms to ensure compliance with quality, licensing, and accreditation requirements. The CNO maintains clinical excellence, promotes customer satisfaction for patients, physicians, and employees, and improves operations in a cost-effective manner while developing community outreach initiatives. As a member of the Department of Health executive team, the CNO collaborates with leaders from the governing body, management, medical staff, and clinical areas in the hospital’s decision-making processes, including the development and review of the hospital’s mission, strategic plans, budgets, resource allocation, operational plans, and policies. Fosters relationships built on trust, effective communication, teamwork, and mutual respect. Incumbent shall be responsible for and participate in the formulation and determination of policy, programs, and activities within the area of supervision. This position requires a confidential relationship to a policymaker.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Nursing (MSN), Healthcare Services Administration, Business Administration, or a related clinical or healthcare field from an accredited college or university supplemented by five (5) years of nursing experience, including one year in leadership and supervision.
OR Any combination of education, certification, training, or experience equivalent to seven (7) years of progressive healthcare management, along with successful completion of an approved school of Nursing with bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) and successful completion of nurse licensure examination.
Knowledge of the application of nursing principles, techniques, and standards.
Knowledge of specialized patient/client care applicable to nursing assignment.
Knowledge of medications, their actions, interactions, uses and side effects.
Knowledge of general and mental health conditions and treatment interventions through utilization of assessment, nursing diagnosis, outcome identification, health planning, implementation, and re-evaluation.
Knowledge of adult learning and family systems theory.
Knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural and socio-economic differences.
Skill in verbal and written communication.
Skill in organizational development and teambuilding.
Skill in interpersonal communication and effective listening.
Skill in computer operations, applications, and healthcare database.
Ability to analyze and solve problems, determine approaches, and make sound decisions.
Ability to lead health care staff and supervise others effectively.
Ability to independently apply nursing principles, techniques, and standards.
Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with other professionals, community resources, and providers.

Responsibilities

Participates in developing the Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Health Mission Statement and Strategic Operating Plan.
Contributes to the development of the Facilities Master Plan and leads the design of specific physical facilities for other assigned service lines.
Develops policies and administrative practices in alignment with best nursing practices to support the Public Health Mission, Vision, Strategic Goals, and Values, ensuring protocols are maintained and kept current.
Develops Head Nurses, directors, managers, and Assistant Head Nurses to make effective decisions, and delegates authority to the lowest appropriate level through shared governance.
Creates an environment that encourages innovative patient care delivery and facilitates directors and managers to engage staff in developing and implementing standards.
Promotes visibility and accessibility to staff through regular rounds, communications, and meetings.
Represents nursing throughout Public Health in collaboration with hospital executive management and medical staff, and works with nursing and medical staff to develop, measure, and maintain performance standards for patient care.
Ensures that a Public Health Plan for Nursing Care provides a consistent framework for implementation across the medical center.
Directs personnel activities to achieve goals and objectives aligned with Public Health, Hospital Strategic/Operating Plans, and Patient Care Services by designing departmental administrative structures to maximize productivity and quality, appropriately delegating authority, and ensuring the nursing process serves as the foundation for care delivery.
Implements continuous improvement processes to measure and evaluate performance against established patient care standards and develops mechanisms to ensure uniform quality of nursing care and attainment of safety, health, and regulatory standards throughout divisions.
Establishes mechanisms to encourage research and incorporates research findings into standards of practice, policies, and procedures.
Monitors budgetary performance (revenue, expense, staffing) against standards, ensuring variances are within established targets.
Participates in professional, collegiate, and community activities and develops personal goals/objectives that support Public Health strategic and operating plans as well as patient care services.
Maintains a program to encourage the recruitment and retention of highly qualified staff.
Evaluates performance of direct reports against Public Health, hospital, departmental, and personal goals and objectives.
Performs other related duties as required.