Director, ER and Med Surg

Description

JOB SUMMARY

Under the leadership of the Chief Nursing Officer, the Director of the Emergency Room (ER) and Medical-Surgical (Med-Surg) departments is integral to advancing patient care, operational efficiency, and staff development. This critical position encompasses the oversight of all clinical, administrative, and human resource management activities essential for the seamless daily operations of both departments. Key responsibilities include directing and supervising Clinical Resource Leaders to ensure exceptional patient care while meeting the diverse needs of physicians. This involves strategic collaboration on scheduling, which ensures adequate staffing levels to meet patient demand, and optimizing equipment management processes to maintain operational readiness. The Director will also be responsible for managing the supply chain, including timely ordering and inventory control of medical supplies, to prevent shortages and enhance patient care. The Director is also charged with the pivotal role of fostering a collaborative and effective teamwork environment, where communication and cooperation among staff are paramount. This collaboration is vital for achieving organizational goals while remaining within budgetary constraints and pursuing financial objectives to ensure the sustainability of both departments. In addition to these operational responsibilities, the Director of ER and Med-Surg will play a key role in driving quality improvement initiatives. This includes setting measurable objectives for the quality management program, rigorously monitoring performance metrics, and implementing evidence-based practices aimed at enhancing patient outcomes. By actively pursuing new programs and innovative care strategies, the Director will ensure that high-quality, safe patient care is consistently delivered. Addressing patient concerns and promoting satisfaction is also a fundamental aspect of this role. The Director will engage with patients and their families to understand their experiences and concerns, ensuring that their voices are heard and integrated into service improvements. By prioritizing patient satisfaction, the Director aligns departmental efforts with the overarching mission and service mandate, ultimately enhancing the overall patient experience and fostering a culture of excellence within both the ER and Med-Surg departments.

DIRECT REPORTS: Clinical Resource Leader (Med Surg) and Clinical Resource Leader/Trauma Stroke Coordinator (ER).

STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE

1. Leadership and Management: Directing and supervising clinical resource leaders, nurses, technicians, unit clerks, case managers, and other healthcare professionals to ensure effective teamwork. Oversees daily operations, including patient care, staffing schedules, and resource allocation.
2. Operational Oversight: Taking charge of daily operations by meticulously coordinating scheduling to ensure optimal staff coverage, effectively managing staffing levels to meet workload demands, overseeing equipment maintenance and procurement to guarantee operational efficiency, and carefully monitoring supply levels to prevent disruptions. All of this is done while diligently adhering to budgetary constraints and striving to achieve financial objectives, ensuring a balanced approach to resource management.
3. Patient Care: Ensuring high-quality and safe patient care by implementing and monitoring quality improvement initiatives.
4. Patient Experience: Regularly assesses and enhances patient satisfaction through surveys and feedback. Takes proactive measures to promptly address any complaints and concerns, ensuring that every patient's voice is acknowledged.
5. Compliance: Ensure strict adherence to all relevant regulations, accreditation standards, and internal organizational policies. This commitment includes various practices, particularly those focused on safety protocols and infection control measures.
6. Staff Development: Empowers staff through effective leadership, mentoring, coaching, and training, which inspires professional growth and excellence. Actively seeks out opportunities for skill enhancement and builds a positive, supportive work environment that encourages collaboration and success.
7. Strategic Planning: Participates in the development of departmental and hospital-wide strategic plans. Develops and implements initiatives to improve patient experience and operational efficiency.
8. Financial Management: Actively participates in the creation and oversight of departmental budgets, encompassing both capital and operating expenses, to maximize resource efficiency and drive successful outcomes.
9. Communication: Works collaboratively with other departments, physicians, and hospital leadership to ensure seamless patient care and efficient operations, Serving as a liaison between administration, patients, and the community. 
10. Quality & Safety: Ensures the delivery of safe, effective, and high-quality patient care while implementing and monitoring quality improvement initiatives and compliance with regulations.
11. Collaboration: Oversees the intricate relationships between departments and disciplines to ensure effective collaboration and efficient operations.

Specific Responsibilities:

1. Directs and provides strategic guidance to ER and Med Surg Clinical Resources Leaders to effectively assess and allocate resources based on patient volume, space, availability, budget constraints, and program priorities, goals and objectives.
2. Conduct regular audits of medical charts and titration procedures, examining patient records for accuracy, completeness, and quality.
3. Continuously monitor and analyze financial data across assigned departments to inform strategic decisions regarding full-time equivalents (FTEs) and staffing needs. This includes assessing cost-effectiveness and reallocating resources as necessary to align with the operational budget while ensuring optimal workforce efficiency.
4. Regularly assesses all services to identify potential challenges and inefficiencies. Utilizes comprehensive data analysis to develop and propose innovative solutions that enhance service delivery.
5. Actively engages in leadership roles as chair, co-chair, or committee member of vital committees, such as the Emergency and In-Patient Services Committee and the Quality and Safety Improvement Committee. Foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders to drive meaningful improvements and ensure the highest standards of care.
6. Generates high quality analysis and reports to support system’s strategic analysis process and business development, service line function. Ensure timely availability of key market data.
7. Conducts regular rounding sessions on employees to discuss problem solving, educational needs and address any concerns.
8. Collaborate with Executive Team, leadership to develop opportunities for growth in the core business and regional and referral market.
9. Fosters positive relationships with key members of Effingham’s medical staff, regional hospitals, employed physicians, regional visiting specialist and Effingham Hospital System employees to solicit input and collaborate with them on strategy development and implementation of clinical programs, business and service line programs, procedures and plans.
10. Remains current with local trends and changes in nursing professional/practice in health environment. Ensure that department/staff meet TJC, GA Board of Nursing, and other regulatory/licensure requirements.
11. Assumes responsibility for the effective management of the Business Planning and Service line development process. Evaluates daily activities and makes operational changes as necessary to improve service line performance levels and supports execution.
12. Incorporates EHS’s mission, vision, values and Pillar in goals and programs within ER and inpatient medical and surgical nursing areas.
13. Holds self and others accountable to policy, standards and commitments and provides timely follow through on questions and concerns
14. Participates in accreditation and certification surveys. 
15. Develops and implementing innovative systems and processes. 
16. Monitor and enforce regulatory requirements. 
17. Facilitates improvement teams and develop leadership skills. 
18. Creates an environment that encourages diverse opinion, recognizes differences and incorporates into process and services.
19. Exhibits awareness of personal attitudes and beliefs, recognizing its effect on response to others.
20. Creates a culture and systems for recognizing and rewarding staff.
21. Develops and implements recruitment and retention strategies that support a culture of leadership
22. Identifies lack of competency in performance and establishes a plan which includes goals, interventions and measures.
23. Maintains membership in professional organization(s) to develop knowledge and resources through networking, continuing education, and participation in national, regional, and/or local activities.
24. Ensures integration of ethical standards and core values into everyday work activities.
25. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Level of Education: Graduated must be a graduate of an accredited School of Nursing program. BSN preferred.

Formal Training: Must effectively manage a team, keeping staff motivated and productive. Excellent analytical and research skills, including meticulous accuracy and attention to detail. Must have strong communication, leadership, facilitation, and presentation skills. Must have proven organizational skills with the ability to plan time effectively, balance multiple assignments, and meet deadlines. Must show maturity, good judgment and decision-making, trustworthiness, and discretion in dealing with sensitive and confidential information.

Licensure, Certification, Registration: Must have and maintain a State of Georgia Registered Nurses License, Basic Healthcare BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP, and NIHSS certification or obtain within 3 months of employment. TNCC within 12 months of hire.

Work Experience: Minimum of 5 years’ experience in nursing, with experience in healthcare/hospital management and or training.

Computer Skills: Must be proficient in MS Excel, MS Word, and MS Power Point.