Director of PCU - Progressive Care Unit at Antelope Valley Medical Center

Brief Description

Job Objective

Under the direction of the Chief Nursing Officer or designee, the Director of the Progressive Care Unit is a Registered Nurse responsible for planning, organizing, directing and evaluating clinical, administrative and operational activities for a nursing/patient care unit; implements and interprets policies, procedures, standards and regulations for nursing personnel, patients, medical staff, and the public. She/he maintains twenty-four-hour accountabilities for all activities of the unit. Apply ANA Standards of Nursing Administrative Practice in performance of leadership role.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Effectively plans, organizes and evaluates work duties of self and unit staff to promote quality nursing and patient care activities.
• Develops unit goals annually, in conjunction with the unit(s) staff and unit Medical Director that supports the department of nursing and the Medical Center's philosophy, goals, and objectives.
• Plans and maintains staffing pattern within budgeting parameters incorporating continuity of care, staff competency, and patient acuity.
• Evaluates and sets standards for patient care and unit equipment.
• Collaborates with support services to provide a safe, clean and secure environment for patients, staff, and visitors.
• Promotes intra- and interdepartmental communication.
• Maintains patient reference materials and ensures access to appropriate policies, procedures, standards and care guidelines.
• Collaborates with other members of leadership to facilitate the provision of high-quality patient care.
• Works with the Medical Staff to coordinate the medical and nursing management of patient care.
• Utilizes staff in a manner which reflects the understanding of professional, legal, and institutional constraints; the abilities of individual care providers; the holistic approach to patient care; and the use of time management principles.
• Evaluates patient care delivery through written documentation, observation, and comparison to established standards.
• Assists in providing nursing care to patients, as needed, to assess particular patient requirements or a backup to Staff Nurse.
• Serves as a clinical resource person and assists nursing personnel in assessing patient/family status to plan nursing care.
• Ensure breaks and meal breaks are followed according to policy and California State Law.
• Builds and leads a high performing team: Motivates, inspires, and develops employees to accomplish goals and objectives.
• Interviews and select staff for PCU.
• Maintain staff meetings, at least bi-monthly, to discuss department and Medical Center goals, progress toward goals, and other significant information concerning the unit and organization.
• Promotes employee engagement and provides an environment that promotes employee satisfaction and retention.
• Empowers staff to participate in changing processes and incorporate changes into daily practices. Recognizes employee contributions.
• Monitors employee performance and provides ongoing feedback. Initiates corrective action when indicated. Completes employee performance appraisals according to Human Resources guidelines.
• Empowers staff to take ownership of patient care environment.
• Avoid preventable turnover. Initiates plan for change as appropriate. Ensures completion and processing of all personnel forms.
• Participates in recruitment events.
• Actively participates in strategies to meet Pathway/Magnet designation.
• Organizational Teamwork and Collaboration: Collaboratively works with peers and others to set and achieve interdepartmental / organizational goals and to resolve barriers to interdepartmental / organizational performance.
• Works with peers and co-workers to resolve conflict and duplication of effort and waste.
• Communicates to house supervisors’ information essential for continuity of patient care.
• Attends required meetings or delegates responsibility when indicated in event of absence.
• Works effectively with Medical Directors, Service Chiefs and other members of the medical staff.
• Cooperate with instructors from schools of nursing to enhance student learning.
• Together with Clinical Education Specialist of the unit, evaluates the educational needs of employees and provides for in services/training monthly and as applicable.
• Ensures an appropriate orientation plan for newly hired unit personnel. Approves continuing education programs for the staff to attend.
• Communicates Medical Center policies and procedures to nursing staff and promotes inter-departmental harmony.
• Communicate all pertinent information regarding resources and services to the Chief Nursing Officer.
• Promotes and maintains effective inter and intra departmental communication.
• Promotes communication with attending physicians and house staff to meet specific needs of the patient.
• Consults with and keeps the Chief Nursing Officer informed of activities, needs, and problems on the nursing unit.
• Interprets, supports and implements organizational decisions, policies and procedures.
• Collaborates with quality and infection control on any quality improvements to improve patient care.

Non-Essential Duties

• Copying
• Faxing

Knowledge

• Knowledge with mathematical concepts and the application of fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.
• Knowledge and ability to practice as defined by California Nurse Practice Act, ANA Scope and Standards of Practice and ANA Code of Ethic in coordination with Medical Center policy and procedure.
• Knowledge of Nursing Sensitive Indicators and Demonstrated knowledge regarding special needs and behaviors of age specific groups
• Demonstrates knowledge of legal and regulatory aspects of care, knowledge of legal documents pertinent to unit/area of care (accountability).
• Demonstrates knowledge and competency on hospital information system.
• Demonstrates knowledge of Patient Rights.

Skills

• Skilled in transferring concepts into practical applications.
• Skilled in reading, analyzing and interpreting common scientific and technical journals and understanding regulatory requirements.
• Skilled in the nursing process and effective decision making when establishing a plan of care.
• Time management skills in providing excellent patient care.
• Skilled in the safe and effective use of all equipment necessary to provide patient care.
• Skilled in current nursing practices and procedures and the development of a plan of care that supports positive outcomes.
• Skills in budget preparation and control.
• Skills in personnel management through coordination and cooperation.
• Excellent problem-solving, time management and organizational skills.
• Skills to prepare complete, clear reports and recommendations after appropriate analyses of relevant and reliable information.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Abilities

• Ability to define problems by collecting data, establishing facts and drawing valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to give and support the highest level of customer satisfaction at all times by providing a high degree of interaction with patients and family members utilizing compassion and fostering effective communication.
• Ability to display a willingness to work as a team player.
• Ability to communicate effectively while maintaining good working relationships with coworkers, managers and all other Medical Center staff.
• Ability to follow direction and accept and utilize constructive criticism.
• Ability to prioritize and maintain organization of workflow.
• Ability to function effectively under pressure, stress, emotion and physical conditions while meeting time parameters.

AVMC Values: All AVMC employees will effectively demonstrate these values:

• Patients Come First – We listen actively and communicate with our patients and families, placing safety as a top priority.
• Accountability & Ownership – We fully complete tasks, are transparent, effectively communicate, and recognize that what we do reflects on us.
• Teamwork – We build trusting relationships, promote a sense of community, and are respectful of everyone. Success is about the whole team.
• Integrity & Honesty – We tell the truth at all times, speak up when something is wrong, and do the right thing when no one is looking.
• Excellence – We take pride in our work, are goal-oriented, and on a never-ending quest for top tier quality.
• Initiative & Innovation – Our can-do attitudes, creativity, and resourcefulness empower us to improve the patient’s experience, solve our own problems, make timely decisions, and look for opportunities to add value.
• Tenderness & Compassion – We have genuine empathy, show kindness, and encourage and advocate for each other.

Management Competencies: All AVMC management (Supervisor, Manager, and Assistant Director) will effectively demonstrate these behaviors:

• Conflict Management
• Problem Solving
• Timely Decision Making
• Process Management
• Fairness to Direct Reports
• Hiring & Staffing
• Developing Direct Reports

Leadership Competencies: All AVMC Leadership (Executive Director, Vice President, and CEO) will effectively demonstrate these behaviors:

• Dealing w/ Ambiguity
• Interpersonal Savvy
• Organizational Agility
• Strategic Agility
• Drive for Results
• Perseverance

AVMC Conduct/Compliance Expectations

• Ability to adhere with AVMC Attendance and Punctuality Policy.
• Ability to adhere with AVMC Leaves of Absence Policy.
• Ability to adhere with AVMC Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy.
• Ability to adhere to the department dress code.
• Ability to organize work and establish priorities.
• Ability to expand on own initiative in performance of duties.
• Skill and ability to follow the telephone etiquette/standards.
• Ability to function effectively under pressure and meet time parameters.
• Ability to communicate effectively while maintaining good working relationships with co-workers, managers and other hospital staff.
• Ability to adhere to the normal standards of courtesy and conduct as defined under the rules of hospitality at AVMC.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of patients, hospital and department information.
• Ability to adhere to safety rules and regulations.
• Safely and effectively use all the equipment necessary to carry out duties.
• Ability to interpret and function under hospital and department policies and procedures.
• Conforms with required and appropriate accreditation and regulatory requirements.
• Conforms with and supports hospital quality assurance and improvement guidelines.
• Ability to participate effectively in department and hospital staff education.
• Display a willingness to work as a team player.
• Ability to give and support the highest level of patient/customer satisfaction at all times.
• Supports and adheres to the values and mission statement established by the AVMC Board of Directors.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Compliance & Integrity Program and its established policies.
• Ability to follow the Code of Conduct.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Work is often performed under stressful, emotional, and physical conditions.
• May be exposed to contaminated Instruments that may cause Infections, burns, or cuts.
• May also be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and risk of radiation.
• Work requires frequent visits to conference/office locations throughout the Medical Center
• Must be able to use standard office equipment, sit at and walk to meetings.

A detailed description of the physical requirements of this job is maintained in the Employee Health Department.

NOTE: THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK PERFORMED BY PEOPLE ASSIGNED TO THIS JOB. THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, SKILLS, AND WORKING CONDITIONS FOR THE PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.

Requirements

Education and Experience

Education

• BSN from an Accredited School of Nursing
• MSN highly preferred
• Unit specific specialty certification highly preferred

Experience

• 3 years of acute care experience
• 2 of the 3 years of experience in progressive leadership roles within the critical care environment

Required Licensure and/or Certifications

• Current California Registered Nursing license.
• BCLS
• ACLS
• CCRN preferred