Nurse Manager

The scope of responsibility and accountability for the Nurse Manager continuously evolves to meet the demands of the practice setting. The following responsibilities may also vary based on the identified needs of Patient care Services.

1. Collaborates with the Director to maintain a competent staff through the selection process, orientation to the unit, competency development, and ongoing performance management. Identifies yearly competencies through interaction with staff and professional development department.
2. Manages yearly personnel and supply budget. Maintains unit operations within established FY budget. Assists in the development of the capital equipment budget for assigned unit.
3. Interfaces with Bed Coordinators, Case Managers, physicians and nursing units to improve patient throughput through appropriate and timely placement and discharge. Demonstrates awareness of overall needs in the hospital for bed availability and staff.
4. Monitors productivity and adjusts staffing based on volume and acuity.
5. Plans and organizes unit based Performance Improvement activities. Responds to issues with staff, patients, and physicians. Leads and participates in Quality Improvement and patient satisfaction efforts on the unit(s) and the hospital as a whole.
6. Ensures that unit staff adhere to all internal and external regulatory requirements. Works with staff to understand the regulatory standards and professional standards of nursing practice.
7. Participates in the establishment of unit based goals and objectives as well as the overall Nursing Strategic Plan. Provides leadership for unit based goals and participate in patient care initiatives as requested.
8. Demonstrates a commitment to shared governance, clinical excellence, and the values of Stamford Hospital.
9. Develops strong interpersonal relationships on the unit, with peers, physicians and all partners throughout the system.

Core Competencies:
The AONL core nursing leadership competencies listed below are to be considered as integral and core components of the Nurse Manager role and are useful in validating knowledge and evaluating competency,

Managing the Business (Competency Domain)

• Financial Management (Leadership Competency)

o Maximize care efficiency and throughput
o Unit/Department Budgeting development and review
o Analyze a budget and explain variance

• Strategic Management & Foundational thinking skills

o Systems thinking knowledge as an approach to analysis & decision making (Decision making & problem solving skills)
o Project development and management
o Presentation skills (written & oral)
o Developing operational plans
o Business plan development

• Information Technology (understanding of the effect of IT on patient care delivery)

o Basic computer skills
o Fluent knowledge of the Patient medical record system
o Ability to integrate technology into patient care processes
o Using information systems to support business and patient care decisions

Quality & Safety

• Clinical competency

o Clinical Practice knowledge and clinical competencies based on area of specialty or practice

• Performance Improvement (Quality, Patient Satisfaction)

o Knowledge of performance improvement tools (scorecards, PDCA, RCA)
o Knowledge of Quality & Safety metrics & reporting systems (Identifying metrics, benchmarks, monitoring outcomes)
o Understanding of Regulatory & Agency standards (State, JCAHO, CMS, Standards of Practice)
o Peer Review (Supports and Participates in-multidisciplinary/nursing)
o Press Ganey & HCAHPS (Accountability for Monitoring, supporting best practice initiatives & achieving goals)

Leading the People

• Human Resources Management

o Performance Management (evaluations, setting goals, crucial conversations, corrective action & discipline)
o Recruitment & Retention
o Succession planning (identifying & developing leadership capacity of staff)
o Interviewing & Hiring Practices (including knowledge of Labor Laws)
o Orientation (Assisting in development & implementation of appropriate plans for employees)
o Diversity (Cultural, Social, Generational)
Cultural awareness

• Leadership skills & relationship management

o Communication skills (active listening, feedback, inquiry & validation)
o Emotional IQ & self awareness (relationship to environment, values, beliefs & how they effect responses & behaviors)
o Negotiation & conflict management
o Shared Governance (includes knowledge of, structure & process, and skill in, managing councils that promote shared leadership)
o Collaborative Practice (the presence of trust, respect & good communication among colleagues)
o Personal growth & development (education, continuing education, career planning, professional associations, certification)

The Leader Within

• Personal and Professional accountability

o Practice ethical behavior
o Promote professional development
o Act as a change agent
o Foster a healthy work environment

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing is required with a Master’s Degree preferred.
• A minimum of three years experience in nursing supervision as a coordinator, charge nurse or manager.
• Connecticut Licensed RN is required at Hire and BLS Certification

• The ability to compile objective and measurable data and produce written reports is required.
• The ability to develop and communicate written policies and procedures is required.
• High level of competency with computers and computer software such as MS Office or equivalent is required.
• Excellent organizational, communication, interpersonal and public speaking skills are required

Preferred professional nursing specialty certification within 2 years of hire

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