The Director of Nursing plays a crucial role in providing direct administrative nursing supervision to ensure the delivery of quality patient care in various departments including nursing floor, surgery, emergency room, and cardiac rehab. They are responsible for overseeing staffing needs across different areas such as infection control, utilization review, discharge planning, diabetes, and trauma program. One of the primary objectives is to maintain budgetary guidelines while upholding high-quality care standards for the community. Serving as a role model to staff, physicians, and establishing positive public relations are integral components of this leadership position. The Director of Nursing must possess strong leadership qualities, effective communication skills, and a commitment to fostering a positive work environment.

Responsibilities

•  Assume a primary role in facilitating communications among staff, between departments, as well as within the community.
• Reach out to solicit input from other departments relating to operations and areas that might be improved.

2. Manage conflicts as they arise.

• Intervene as soon as a conflict is discovered and work toward resolving the issue.
• Ensure that patient service is not compromised and that patient involvement in conflict is isolated and does not disrupt services to others.
• Mediate conflict between staff and departments.
• Follow-up on any complaints from patient questionnaire program or any direct complaints and work for continual quality improvement.

3. Provide direct care for patients during periods of peak demand or when providing staff training and assistance.

• Redirect activities to focus on critical patient care needs.
• Provide backup coverage during unplanned staff absences due to illness.
• May deal with difficult patient cases by providing backup assistance to RN’s.
• Demonstrate techniques as needed to provide training to staff.

4. Analyze data to help identify trends or patterns.

• Use PI System to retrieve real time data that can be analyzed to identify patterns that might lead to immediate actions or longer-term adjustments.
• Communicate findings to departments and staff who may find value in the knowledge of trends or patterns.

5. Manage the department budget.

• Provide planning based on service need projections.
• Monitor and maintain the approved department budget, on a monthly basis.
• Adjust staffing to match service demands without over adjusting that may be disruptive of service levels.
• Identify capital equipment needs and initiate projects to determine feasibility.

6. Provide managerial direction to the department and participate in executive teamwork.

• Review, and revise the departmental new hire orientation process on an ongoing basis, and make sure documentation is completed and submitted in a timely fashion.
• Recruit, manage, and develop staff by establishing goals and objectives, provide effective feedback and development opportunities, and ensure employees receive proper on-the-job training and performance management.
• Address individual staff performance issues as they arise and works through, to resolution, documenting as needed (i.e. disciplinary actions, separations, terminations, etc.)
• Conduct timely performance evaluations for assigned personnel, as well as disciplinary actions if required.
• Lead the operations of the department, manage and direct the department staff, and oversee the work activities of the department in alignment with the vision and directives of Murray County Medical Center.
• Maintain current job descriptions for all staff and work with Human Resources to review/revise annually or as needed.
• Participate in meetings of the executive team and provide information to assist the work of the team in preparation of strategic plans.
• Assume responsibility, as required, in the absence of the CEO.

7. Write and administer department policies and procedures.

• Research best practices and incorporate them into department operations.
• Approve policies prepared by others.

8. Manage department schedules to ensure adequate staffing for shifts.

• Approve requests for vacations and other absences.
• Ensure that advance scheduling is done so that disruptions are minimized.
• Continuously assess and act to improve the quality of care and performance of staff.

9. Stay up-to-date regarding knowledge of regulatory agencies (Federal, State, OSHA, etc.).

10. Meet all performance standards (customer service, quality achievement, safety, etc.)

11. Other duties as assigned.

• Provide feedback to other departments to improve coordination of services to patients as the end beneficiaries.
• Participate in representing the hospital and the profession of nursing organizationally, in the community and by participation in committees.

Requirements

· Must maintain and keep current continuing education and state licensure.

· Able to concentrate on work tasks amidst constant distractions.

· Flexibility to handle constant changes with ability to be available at irregular hours.

· Excellent customer service skills to communicate with executive team members, medical staff, external agencies, patients and members of the community.

· Strong problem-solving skills to work through complex analysis, leading to sound patient care and strategic decisions for the medical center.

· Strong leadership skills to manage scheduling and interpersonal conflicts and focus energies on patient service.

· Ability to maintain the morale of the department and the confidence of the public.

· Ability to provide effective technical training in formal and informal settings.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position supervises Surgery Supervisor, Surgery RN’s, Surgery Technicians, Hospital nurses CNA’s, and Rural Health Clinic nurses.

• Valid RN license in the state of practice
• Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN)
• Minimum of 5 years of nursing experience with at least 2 years in a supervisory role

About Murray County Medical Center

Murray County Medical Center, located in southwest Minnesota, is a county owned organization that has been serving Murray County since 1951. The hospital and multi-specialty medical clinic is staffed by providers who are highly trained in a number of specialty fields. MCMC offers a multitude of visiting specialty services to provide convenient and accessible healthcare for their patients. We are committed to improving the health of the individuals and communities we serve, providing a comprehensive range of health services and education. Our clinic is governed as a not-for-profit community organization, serving local and regional needs with superior quality, value and patient satisfaction, providing care to everyone

Connections working at Murray County Medical Center