Associate Director, Nursing

Job Description: General Summary The Maternal and Child Health - Associate Director for Nursing is responsible for the management of the Parent Education Program, Lactation Consultant Program, Birth Registry, and Regional Perinatal Center activities and oversight of nursing practice for ambulatory obstetrics. The Associate Director serves as a liaison to Community Based Affiliated Practices. The Maternal and Child Health - Associate Director for Nursing is responsible for the management of maternal and child nursing quality and performance improvement and the promotion of evidenced based nursing practice. This includes, but is not limited to, the development and implementation of patient care standards, the management of: performance improvement projects, quality monitoring, regulatory compliance and reports, attainment of patient safety goals, survey preparation, and specialized training initiatives and continuing education. The Associate Director works in collaboration with Maternal and Child nursing and physician leadership to ensure that the service maintains the highest standards of patient care and is responsive to the needs of the patient and family and the organization. Responsible To The Maternal and Child Health - Associate Director for Nursing reports to the Director of Maternal and Child Services. Primary Duties and Responsibilities 1. Clinical a. Demonstrates current clinical knowledge and understanding of best practices and regulatory mandates impacting Maternal and Child Services.b. Recommends program and standards changes in response to external regulations.c. Initiates and completes development of interdisciplinary and interdepartmental structure, process and outcome standards in collaboration with other nursing and physician leadership.d. Establishes and maintains systems which ensure standards are current.e. Enhances others' understanding of patient care standards as integral and supportive of professional practice, participatory management, and values espoused by the department of nursing, maternal and child services, and the medical center.f. Identifies, addresses, and communicates risk management issues. 2. Leadership a. Participates in developing service-wide goals and objectives, and in designing and implementing appropriate plans to meet goals in cooperation with other service leaders; supports subordinates and other managers in developing and meeting goals and objectives.b. Serves as department representative on a variety of hospital-wide committees. c. Prepares operating and capital budget for areas of responsibility; monitors performance; analyzes variances; develops corrective action plans; and recommends revisions based on data driven evidence when necessary.d. Conducts rounding for outcomes with patients and staff to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement.e. Assumes responsibility for all service needs in the absence of the Director of Maternal and Child Services.f. Participates in risk management activities including identifying and communicating issues of risk in a timely mannerg. Participates in committee activities.3. Management of Human Resources a. Interviews, hires, evaluates, counsels, and when necessary, recommends discipline or discharge of immediate subordinates.b. Ensures all personnel receive performance appraisals, are appropriately credentialed, competent, and complete ongoing mandatory programs to provide care.c. Ensures that personnel issues are managed in compliance with contractual agreements and supports positive employee-management relationships.d. Recognizes exemplary employee performance.e. Ensures appropriate staffing patterns. 4. Evaluation, Quality and Research a. Plans, implements, and evaluates quality and performance improvement activities for the maternal and child nursing service.b. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary leadership team in planning, implementing, and evaluating performance improvement activities.c. Monitors patient satisfaction; develops, implements, and evaluates strategies to consistently improve patient satisfaction.d. Develops and implements an evaluation process for childbirth education and lactation programs. Revises and updates programs as necessary.e. Integrates best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values in evaluating clinical practice and developing clinical practice changes. f. Participates in developing and conducting research projects and actively seeks to publish significant results and conclusions. 5. Education and Development a. Ensures that curriculum for the childbirth education and lactation programs are evidence-based.b. Collaborates with Nursing Education in the assessment, identification, and selected education of learning needs related to compliance with nursing, departmental, and regulatory standards.c. Ensures that staff are afforded opportunities for professional growth and development.d. Maintains leadership and clinical competency by participation in continuing education, professional organizations, and other related activities.e. Remains current in legislative, regulatory, and clinical practice issues as they relate to nursing and maternal and child services. Professional Practice1. Supports the mission, philosophy, goals and objectives of the Department of Nursing and The Mount Sinai Medical Center.2. Maintains clinical competence.3. Is responsible and accountable for his/her own nursing practice.4. Advocates the highest standards of nursing practice.5. Approaches patients, families and other members of the health care team in a professional, respectful manner.6. Serves as a clinical role model and resource to the nursing staff.7. Serves as a professional resource to other members of the health care team.8. Demonstrates professional involvement by: a. Attending and participating in workshops, seminars, and courses as presenter or author. b. Keeping abreast of current literature and trends in practice. c. Participating in related professional organizations.9. Considers ethical issues in professional nursing practice.10 Treats co-workers, patients and families with dignity and respect.11. Is open and responsive to the diverse backgrounds and experience of other people, and promotes and environment that is sensitive to cultural diversity.12. Maintains attendance and punctuality record in accordance with departmental standards.13. Adheres to dress code in accordance with departmental policy.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required1 Ability to read, write, understand and speak English in a clear and concise manner.2. Visual and aural acuity to assess patient status.3. Communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with a wide variety of individuals.4. Ability to use computer technology systems5. Ability to organize information and teach others.6. Analytic ability to collect and organize information, identify problems and trends, and formulate and implement corrective plans or programs.7. Ability to coordinate, prioritized, and allocate resources.8. Oriented to consumer satisfaction.9. Physical stamina, dexterity and mental health necessary to coordinate a broad variety of services and programs for designated patient population on a daily basis.Job Qualifications: Licensure: Registered Professional Nurse in New York State with current registration.Education: Bachelors in Nursing; Masters in Nursing or health related degree required.Experience: Minimum of 5 years of clinical practice within Maternal and Child Health; minimum of 3 years of progressive leadership experience.Knowledge and understanding of JCAHO standards, federal, state and city regulations relate to maternal and child health.Knowledge and understanding of the Magnet Recognition ProgramExcellent writing skills; verbal communication and interpersonal skills; understanding of change management, professional practice, and current issues and trends in maternal and child health