Nurse Director

Norwalk Community Health Center (NCHC) seeks a highly-skilled Registered Nurse to provide oversight to our Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, and Medical Assistants in the FQHC space.

3-5 years management experience in an ambulatory or primary care setting, excellent clinical skills, and the ability to lead and mentor required.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

1. Overall supervision of the Department of Nursing, patient referrals and on-site laboratory.

a. Direct supervision of clinical staff in the Adult Medicine, Pediatric and Ob/Gyn areas – i.e., all Nurses and Medical Assistants (MAs),

b. Direct supervision of Referral Coordinator to ensure optimal functioning of referral process and timely scheduling of appointments both external and internal to the Health Center;

c. Direct supervision of the on-site laboratory including oversight responsibility for all laboratory personnel assigned by Norwalk Hospital to ensure optimal functioning of the laboratory, compliance with Infection Control standards, and timely receipt of all laboratory reports in accordance with accepted clinical standards.

2. Works directly with clinical staff to facilitate optimal patient flow in all clinical areas; ensures the provision of adequate Nursing staff support to the health center-based component of the Norwalk Hospital Internal Medicine Residency Program. Ensures regular meetings, huddles and punctual start to all clinical sessions at the beginning of each day; works with Nurses and MAs to maximize efficiency in clinical practice, including patient preparation, stocking rooms and establishment and execution of other daily tasks.

3. Responsible for setting the expectation of high-quality customer service for all members of the nursing staff; ensure that they: greet and welcome patients, clients and visitors to the clinical areas with respect, courtesy and professional warmth; be available to explain procedures, answer questions and give general information to patients on the routine operations of the Health Center and what to expect during their visit; proactively anticipate and attend to needs of patients; proactively support all clinicians in the delivery of patient care . Reviews patient complaints involving the Nursing staff and assists staff in resolving patient grievances in a timely manner.

4.Reviews and monitors competency skills of all Nurses and MAs to optimize performance within the scope of their job functions and responsibilities. Develops and implements training curriculum to provide regular in-service education to nursing staff regarding clinical skills and equipment necessary to carry out their day-to-day activities. Responsible for ensuring accurate documentation of nursing actions, reflecting the care given to patients and observations made about patients, when indicated.

Director of Nursing

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5. Regularly consult with the Chief Medical Officer, Medical Director and Director of Operations regarding the performance of the clinical staff in all clinical areas to assure compliance with the policies, procedures and objectives of the health center and regulatory agencies.

6. Develops, coordinates, monitors, and adjusts staffing assignments in all clinical areas to meet patients’/clients’ needs effectively and optimize productivity and performance. Arranges and assists in providing nursing coverage in clinical areas and at external events (e.g., off-site flu clinics, health fairs) as needed.

7.Monitors staff attendance, punctuality, performance and training needs to assure the proper level of support for staff development and the optimal functioning of each clinical area. Assists staff in setting performance goals and reviews successes and deficiencies with direct reports (i.e., nursing staff and Referral Coordinator) on a regular basis; identifies and facilitates appropriate training for improving performance. Completes annual performance evaluation for direct reports and makes recommendations for promotion, salary adjustments, transfers and/or initiation of disciplinary action procedures when indicated.

8. Responsible for development and implementation of the health center’s Infection Control program. In collaboration with Chief Medical Officer, Medical Director and Director of Operations, responsible for ensuring compliance with Patient-Centered Medical Home and other agreed-upon standards in all clinical areas. Oversees nursing staff in maintaining an orderly and safe environment in clinical areas and adherence to Infection Control guidelines.

9. Oversees daily Quality Control procedures in all clinical areas and ensures their regular execution and documentation. Oversees and ensures maintenance of clinical logs by nursing staff; conducts chart reviews and prepares reports to ensure compliance with nursing policies and procedures regularly and on an as-needed basis.

10. Oversees clinical inventory control (e.g., medication, vaccinations, clinical supplies) and maintains adequate levels of supplies, equipment and instruments in patient care areas; makes arrangements for repairs as necessary. Reviews supply requests with Director of Operations and Chief Finance Officer on a periodic basis. Oversees the administration of routine screening tests (e.g., PPD testing) as needed, specific to each unit.

11.Oversees the patient referral process including performance of Referral Coordinator, Nurses, MAs and other designated staff (e.g., Princeton Fellows) in the submission and tracking of patient referrals, both internal and external to the Health Center, to maximize patient compliance with scheduled appointments and optimize cross-referrals consistent with the delivery of high quality primary care.

12. Leads monthly Nursing meeting. Attends and provides nursing input at regularly scheduled Senior Management, Quality & Performance (Q & P) Committee, Patient-Centered Medical Home and other key administrative meetings. Chairs or co-chairs selected Q & P Team meetings. Assigns Nursing representation at other organizational meetings as needed. In collaboration with the Director of Operations, communicates and implements policies and procedures developed at these meetings as appropriate.

13. Responsible for maintenance of the Nursing Manual; contributes to drafting and revision of clinical and administrative policies and procedures as needed.

14. Collaborates with Chief Resident in coordinating and scheduling regular Code Blue drills and in evaluating Nursing staff performance and maintenance of required skills.

15. Ensures that clinical staff adhere to professional dress codes and code of conduct.

Director of Nursing

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QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Cerfication: Must be a graduate of an accredited school of Nursing with a current Nursing license in the State of Connecticut. Master’s Degree in Nursing preferred. Must hold current American Heart Association Health Care Providers BLS Certification.

Experience: Minimum of three (3) years management/administrative experience in a health care setting required; community health center experience preferred. Must have valid, unrestricted state license. Previous experience in Quality and Performance, cultural diversity, competency program development and management of multi-level staff preferred.

Knowledge/Abilities: Demonstrated clinical skills. Excellent leadership and interpersonal relationships and evidence of good professional conduct required. Ability to effectively teach, direct, motivate and retain staff. Must demonstrate excellent organizational and communication skills, high-level management skills, mathematical computation skills, and familiarity with all patient care equipment and products integral to the delivery of clinical care in an ambulatory setting. Computer skills and data management skills required. Bilingual ability a plus.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work involves sitting, standing, walking, bending, and occasional slight lifting. The employee may occasionally be required to lift and/or move patients – e.g., from chair or wheelchair to exam table; turning patients for examinations. Must be able to respond when needed by prompt appearance at a required location. Must be able to work under physically and emotionally stressful conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to communicable diseases. Safety precautions for clinical employees such as blood drawing for screening of various diseases (e.g., hepatitis) and required immunizations (e.g., influenza) are necessary. The employee may need to interact from time to time with angry, hostile or disgruntled patients and/or family members.

Travel to within the State of Connecticut is required on an as-needed basis, with occasional travel outside the State. Must provide evening, weekend and satellite coverage (e.g., at health fairs, newly added clinical sites) when necessary.

Disclaimer: The above duties and responsibilities are essential job functions, subject to reasonable accommodations. All job requirements listed include the minimum level of knowledge, skills and or abilities deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. This job description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Employee maybe required to perform any other job-related instructions as requested by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodations.

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person