BHU Nurse Manager

Job Summary: The Behavioral Health Nurse Manager is responsible and accountable for the nursing care provided on a 24-hour basis to adult and geriatric patients in the Behavioral Health Unit.  The Nurse Manager will function as a mentor to staff, advance the clinical direction of the program, become an integral part of the hospital’s management team, and serve as an advocate for patients and their families. The Nurse manager will manage the resources for the Behavioral Health Unit to ensure quality patient care outcomes, patient satisfaction, and cost-effective care. The Nurse Manager plans, organizes, coordinates, directs, and evaluates this care in collaboration with other patient care, and supports disciplines in an environment of respect and dignity.  This position reports to the Behavioral Health Nurse Director. Actively and consistently contributes to department operations and communications, behaves in a manner consistent with the mission, vision, and values of Pipeline Health, upholding standards of AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, Thank you) patient communication.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Shift: Mid/Evening

Essential Functions: 

• Reporting to the Director of Behavioral Health, the Nurse Manager will be responsible for the daily operations of the Behavioral Health Services. The Nurse Manager will recruit, train, evaluate and manage staff.
• Share the responsibility of maintaining and creating budget for the department.
• Assist with staff development, scheduling, updating policies and procedures and performance improvement efforts.
• Represent the department on various hospital committees and collaborate with department heads to meet the overall strategic objectives.
• Provide clinical and administrative leadership and supervision to nursing staff to include RN's, LVN's, LPT’s, and Behavioral Health Workers.
• Clearly establish and communicate expectations to associates; monitor and evaluate employee performance, providing effective feedback and coaching; schedule and staff unit within the approved budget.
• Systematically evaluate the quality and effectiveness of nursing practice and nursing services; analyze appropriate internal and external data and information to identify opportunities for improving services and patient outcomes.
• Develop educational programs designed to promote professional development of staff, students and colleagues in an environment of mutual respect and understanding; promote research and integrate evidence-based knowledge as well as best practice in the delivery of quality patient care.
• Promote and monitor regulatory agency standards and customer service expectations.
• Collaborate with nursing staff at all levels, interdisciplinary teams, executive team, and others as it pertains to the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services.
• Lead the day-to-day activities of the assigned area(s). 
• Provide leadership, direction, and growth opportunities to members of the department, performing those responsibilities in accordance with the Medical Center’s policies and applicable laws. 
• Will appraise performance, disciplining team members and resolving problems.
• Uses clear, concise, professional communication with coworkers, patients, all customers internal and external.
• Uses AIDET in interactions with patients and family members.
• Acts with a sense of urgency when performing tasks.
• Basic unit/department maintenance such as keeping files, drawers, cabinets free from unnecessary clutter. Reports on any equipment and or environmental issues for repair.
• Abides by HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations.
• Speaks up to stop the line and escalates potential safety events if necessary.
• Completes and attends monthly training assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Behavioral Standards: 

• Treats everyone as their customer; utilizes scripting and other tools to ensure consistency in customer service; Expresses recognition and shows appreciation to others; fully utilizes AIDET principles; responds quickly to handle requests, complaints, and questions; displays a positive attitude.
• Demonstrates the highest level of professionalism, passion and care when interacting with patients, families, physicians, and hospital staff members.
• Using a lens of equity in all aspects of patient care delivery, education, and research to promote policies and practices to allow opportunities for all to thrive and reach their potential, embracing ingenuity to service our customers. 

Communication/Knowledge: 

• Effective written and verbal communication skills; able to communicate with various individuals both inside and outside the organization; and able to understand and create reports/presentations/proposals.
• Ability to research and coordinate information and distribute accordingly.
• Demonstrates and understands the various procedures within the department.
• Wears nametag properly; follows dress code policy; answers phone correctly and promptly; is prepared for meetings; meets deadlines; does not participate in gossip; acts ethically and treats others with respect; respects customer’s and co-worker’s time; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and co-workers.

Collaboration/Teamwork: 

• Contributes toward effective, positive working relationships with internal and external colleagues.
• Demonstrates cooperation, flexibility, reliability, and dependability in all daily work activities and a willingness to collaborate with others for the good of the customer and the organization.
• Attends staff meetings; follows HIPAA guidelines; follows patient rights policy; complies with the compliance program; demonstrates knowledge of role in a disaster; demonstrates knowledge of fire and fire drill procedures; working knowledge of hospital emergency codes; always utilizes standard precautions in the clinical setting; safely manages the environment of care by demonstrating a working knowledge of the requirements of the: Life Safety program, Utilities Management program, Hazardous Materials program, Emergency Preparedness program, Safety Management program, Medical Equipment Management program, Security Management program.

Qualifications/Experience: 

• Five (5+) years management-level inpatient psychiatric experience.
• Must be able to work under moderate stress.
• Must be able handle difficult situations in a discreet and professional manner.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrates the ability to prioritize tasks and job assignments.
• Handles difficult situations in a discreet and professional manner.
• Customer service abilities include effective listening skills, critical thinking skills, decisive judgement, and the ability to work with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment.
• Critical thinking, service excellence and good interpersonal communication skills, ability to read/comprehend written instructions, strong organizational skills, ability to follow verbal instructions, and PC (computer) skills.
• A capacity to learn, synthesize, make critical judgments, work independently, place patients and families first, and collaborate with the team members who are recognized leaders within health care.

Education: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in nursing, preferred.