POSITION SUMMARY

Incumbent serves as the nursing director for the Surgical Services (Short Stay Surgery, Operating Room, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, Sterile Processing Department, Pre-Op Clinic).  The incumbent directs subordinates in performance of nursing tasks related to the care of patients. In this capacity, performs such functions as planning, organizing, directing and reviewing work, administering personnel matters, managing budget, establishing and maintaining logistical systems, and accomplishing assignments as required.  Requires the incumbent to utilize professional nursing principles and procedures and be competent to direct and supervise those performing these direct patient care duties.  Must demonstrate skills and/or instruct nursing personnel on performance improvement and strive for quality nursing care. Exercises sound judgement in interpreting observations to physicians. Investigates incidence, research and makes recommendations for innovative development of best nursing and business practice.  Carries out the leadership role by initiating performance and improvement measures, quality management of infection control, develops and educates staff on new policies and procedures as well as promoting staff development and training.  Ensures an environment consistent with the goals of the organization and manages personnel based on established procedures and sound ethical judgement.  Responsible for planning, organizing, directing, implementing, and evaluating the functions and requirements of the Surgical Services Department.  The incumbent will also work with the Medical Director of the Department and interdepartmental committees to ensure that the services provided are of the highest quality.

NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and Master’s Degree in Nursing, or Healthcare Administration

License/Certifications:

• A valid, current, full, and unrestricted Professional Nursing License to practice nursing in any state of the United States, The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States
• Must have and maintain a current valid Certification of the following throughout employment:
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification from the American Heart Association
  • Advance Cardiopulmonary Life Support (ACLS) Certification from the American Heart Association
  • The following must be obtained within specified timeframe.
• Patient Sitter Competency – upon hire
• Pediatric Advance Life Support (PALS) Certification, if none, must obtain within six (6) months of hire
• National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) within six (6) months of hire
• Trauma Nurse Core Courses (TNCC) within one (1) year of hire
• Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) by the Competency and Credentialing Institute (CCI) must be completed within year of hire.

Experience:

• Three (3) years supervisory or educator experience with two (2) years supervisory or educator experience in Surgical Services.

Other Skills and Abilities:

A record of satisfactory performance in all prior and current employment as evidenced by positive employment references from previous and current employers.  All employment references must address and indicate success in each one of the following areas:

• Positive working relationships with others
• Possession of high ethical standards and no history of complaints
• Reliable and dependable; reports to work as scheduled without excessive absences
• Must demonstrate Customer Service/Conflict Resolution Experience.
• Demonstrate ability to prioritize, communicate effectively, and problem solve
• Organization and management of a flexible schedule to meet the changing demands of the job
• Skilled with budget development and budget management
• Proficient with the Microsoft Suite applications – Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point, Access
• Strong interpersonal skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills to optimize the care of patients
• Solid analytical, creative, and problem-solving abilities; ability to assist, direct and coordinate others
• Ability to work in an organized, efficient manner with a high-level of accuracy, attention to detail and timely follow-through
• Has the ability to work effectively in a culturally diverse environment
• Completion of an above-satisfactory scores on all job interviews, demonstrating to the satisfaction of the interviewees and TCRHCC that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job 
• Successful completion of and positive results from all background and reference checks, including positive employment references from authorized representatives of past and current employers demonstrating to the satisfaction of TCRHCC a record of satisfactory performance and that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job
• Successful completion of fingerprint clearance requirements, physical examinations, and other screenings indicating that the applicant is qualified to be employed by TCRHCC and demonstrating to the satisfaction of TCRHCC that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job
• Submission of all required employment-related documents, applications, resumes, references, and other required information free of false, misleading, or incomplete information, as determined by TCRHCC.

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EFFORT

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an   employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical:

Work requires prolonged hours of walking, standing, bending, reaching, sitting, talking or hearing, using of hands to finger, handle or feel, and pushing and pulling as well as occasional need to smell or tase and intermittent stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling; may require prolonged lifting  up to 25 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds in assisting inpatient care and moving medical equipment and supplies Position does involve prolonged repetitive use of both feet, both hands, grasping simple/light to both hands, grasping firm/heavy to both hands and fine dexterity of both hands. Vision requirements as follows; close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Must have the ability to hear alarms on equipment, client calls and instructions from physicians/department staff. Distant travel may be required to attend meetings/conferences.

Mental:

The incumbent performs difficult and complex assignments within Surgical Services. These duties are wide in scope and encompass a variety of decision-making situations, requires analysis, and a thorough review. The work requires the ability to deal relatively independently with the interrelation elements that Surgical Services utilizes, and often to resolve complicated situations and controversial matters. The work requires diversity in professional nursing and management knowledge.

Environmental:

May be subject to intermittent wet/humid conditions, working near moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and intermittent exposure to outdoor weather conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat, risk of electric shock, risk of radiation exposure and vibration. The typical noise level is moderate.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Supervise Direct Hire, Contract, and Commissioned Officer employees of the following type: Lead Clinical Nurses, Clinical Nurses, licensed/certified Nursing Assistants, Patient Access Specialists, Patient Transporters if hired for the unit. Responsible for maintaining communication with assigned preceptors for students who are in the unit for clinical experience.
2. Oversee all aspects of personnel management including orientation plan, personnel action, performance evaluation, termination, salary/wage adjustment, staff development, staff recruitment and retention, etc.
3. Perform functions such as planning, organizing, directing and reviewing workflows, managing and administering personnel matters, establishing and maintaining logistical systems and managing/meeting budget expectations and fiscal responsibilities.
4. Provide clinical perspectives for operations to other departments such as pharmacy or finance that require group conversations and decision-making for best practice and productivity. Collaborate with a variety of physician disciplines to ensure compliance with regulatory standards to include policy and procedures.
5. Supervise the provision of quality, cost-effective care in accordance with the standards of practice and department policies and procedures on a 24-hour basis.
6. Conduct regular staff meetings and conferences regarding expectations, requirements, unit specific strategic plans, and education that provide answers to technical questions regarding work assignments.
7. Identify and develop relevant Nursing policies and procedures for both generalized and unit specific practices. Regularly review, evaluate, and update existing policies/procedures using research, current theory, and best practice.
8. Assist with updates of policies for Infection Control, Material Safety Data, Pharmacy, Laboratory, and all departments that are inter-related to Surgical Services.
9. Identify processes to promote staff development and training. Provide regular staff trainings/in-services as needed to promote best practice. Evaluate staff/provider/customer satisfaction to identify areas to improve the delivery of excellent patient care.
10. Develop and educate staff on all aspects of quality and safety. Monitor clinical competency standards and take corrective actions as necessary. Ensure competency and staff performance evaluations are documented in compliance with Nursing Standards at TCRHCC and provide evidence of performance improvement.  Hold personnel accountable for compliance with established standards.
11. Develop, facilitate and ensure a complete orientation for each new employee specific to their skills and needs.
12. Collaborate with the Medical Director of the department and other department services to ensure compliance with policy and procedures, allow for review of current practices, and evaluate strategic/business plans.
13. Monitor and evaluate patient satisfaction outcomes. Responsible for developing and implementing patient satisfaction strategies with staff input/participation to assure compliance.
14. Present reports and participate in the Nurse Executive Committee and other relevant clinical/leadership committees that affect the department. Promote frontline staff involvement in practice/customer service committees. Chair the unit specific sub-committee, if applicable.
15. Active in recruiting and retention concerns of the unit. Coordinate the hiring process for all candidates. Ensure staff satisfaction and understands the importance of developing a team who is focused on providing a high quality and safe patient care services.  Take positive steps to assure the accomplishment of the Navajo Preference for Employment Act (NPEA).
16. Maintain clinical competence and expertise in specialty area. Provide age appropriate, skilled and comprehensive care to the patients, who because of the extensiveness and complexity of their condition require frequent adaptation of the usual nursing procedures.  Perform core unit-based risk assessments and implement strategies to address risk.
17. Perform RN duties as required during times of staff shortages.
18. Responsible for unit compliance with Joint Commission and other unit specific regulatory standards.
19. Provide guidance, coaching, and mentorship of leadership duties to the Lead Clinical Nurse to ensure proper management of the department when the director is not present. Lead the department by example and upholds the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
20. Incumbent must possess a positive attitude to facilitate effective working relationships with TCRHCC departmental and interdepartmental staff.
21. Responsible for directing the procurement/ purchase/management of supplies and equipment assuring adequate amounts for operation of the unit.
22. Ensure the department meets all quality and patient safety goals, compliance with environment of care recommendations and ongoing new national, state, or tribal standards.
23. Responsible for electronic health records data entry pertinent to patient service role. Perform chart review and develop effective tools for performance and quality improvement to meet hospital guidelines of standards for documentation.
24. The position may lead special reports that have significance to the community of the Western Navajo Agency. May present hospital project information to the community, chapter houses, and Western Navajo Agency which includes the Navajo Nation Council.
25. Participate in disaster management and is a subject matter expert who assists staff during IT downtime processes.
26. Attend educational opportunities that provide exposure to best practice models for performing excellent patient care.
27. Ensure proper PPE is always worn while on duty including but not limited to, face mask, gloves, gown, isolation gown, NIOSH-approved N95 filtering facepiece respirator or higher, if available), and eye or face shield.
28. Complete all donning and doffing tasks in a safe acceptable method and discard of used PPE accordingly. (see CDC website for most current updates)
29. Complete task training for all routine cleaning and decontamination processes for all surfaces contaminated by a communicable disease to ensure a high level of patient, visitor, employee and external customer satisfaction.
30. Perform other duties as assigned.