Director of Nursing

Job Title: Director of Nursing

Department: OB-GYN & Pediatrics,

Reports to: Senior Director of Nursing

FLSA Status: Exempt

Lowell Community Health Center (Lowell CHC) is a diverse, community-based health care organization. Our programs have been recognized as national models and LCHC was named one of the top five health centers in the nation for excellence in cultural competency. With a career at Lowell Community Health Center, you will be joining a dynamic team of passionate and talented people.

Summary:

The Director of Nursing (Don) is a key clinical nurse leader responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe, cost effective, culturally appropriate, quality care in the areas of OB-GYN and Pediatrics. The (Don) will work collaboratively with the Senior Director of Nursing, the Administrative Director, the medical staff and other departments to ensure that the goals of the Health Center are accomplished. The Don is responsible for the on-going operations and quality of patient care in assigned departments. This position, will be responsible for the effective direction, management and operation of the infection prevention and control program including education of Health Center personnel and consultation with the organization, CDC, and the county and state health departments. The responsibilities encompass compliance with Joint Commission (JC) standards, CMS, OSHA, and state regulations, outbreak investigation, and overall direction of the infection prevention and control program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Other duties may be assigned.

The assigned duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Maintains, review, and updates all specialty policies in accordance with the LCHC standards, and regulatory and professional standards.
• Assesses patient care needs and monitors patient satisfaction. Addresses and resolves patient complaints in a timely manner. Sees complaints as an opportunity to reassess and improve processes as well as an opportunity for staff education and development. Works to cultivate expectations of individual staff accountability.
• Prepares and monitors salary, operational, and capital budget. Monitors use of unit supplies and equipment.
• Participates fully in all survey activity, remaining knowledgeable about changes in standards and updating practices to reflect those changes.
• Encourages and facilitates professional growth and development of staff. Facilitates flow of information from other departments to staff. Coordinates education programs for staff. Evaluates staff performance on an ongoing basis and completes staff performance appraisals in a timely manner. Provides recognition of exemplary employee performance and provides employee counseling as necessary. Provide timely and relevant performance evaluations to staff in accordance with LCHC policy and supervisor expectations
• Supports nursing education and preceptorships, providing an optimal learning environment. Ensures staff are afforded opportunities for professional growth and development that support both new and existing programs of care.
• Develops and enforces effectual policies and procedures for the Health Center that ensures compliance with JC, OSHA, CDC, CMS and other county, state, and federal regulatory agencies.
• Directs and assists in preparing reports and statistical data for the infection control committee, medical staff committees, and the facility's administration and other committees as needed.
• Develops and coordinates the infection prevention and control program throughout the facility. Implements the program by formulating, establishing and evaluating policies and procedures relating to patient care infection control measures throughout the facility. Performs an annual assessment and develops action plans from the prior year activities.
• Makes recommendations regarding construction, renovation, environmental rounds, and assures compliance with national and/or professional standards.

Basic or Preferred Qualifications:

• The Director of Nursing will have a background in clinical management.
• He/she must be a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or hold other clinical qualifications.
• A current BLS certification is required.
• Current CPR required.
• A minimum of five years management experience in an adult ambulatory care or inpatient setting is required with a focus in OB/GYN or other reproductive health.
• Experience with high risk OB preferred.
• Excellent computer skills.
• Experience with an electronic medical record system is highly desired.
• The successful candidate is one able to plan and conduct training seminars and exercises with a working knowledge of nursing practice and theory. Possesses excellent written, interpersonal, time management and presentation skills with flexibility to meet a wide range of service needs. Previous experience in teaching, curriculum development and instruction design is also desired.

Work Environment:

• Frequent contact with patients, families, visitors, nurses and other department staff.
• Occasional requests to change work areas to cover another priority area to meet patient needs.
• Occasional stress and pressure caused by multiple simultaneous demands.
• May be exposed to various infectious diseases (Universal precautions and techniques are included in orientation and the availability of protective wear is supported and encouraged when the employee is at risk for exposure).

Lowell CHC is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.