Director of Emergency Services

The Director of Emergency assesses, plans, implements and evaluates delivery of patient care with 24 hour responsibility for total management of the Emergency Department. Provides administrative direction for development and evaluation of all nursing personnel, and maintains operational aspects of the patient care unit in collaboration with support services. Contributes to nursing and the hospital through support of philosophy and objectives, educational and research efforts. Accountable to assure that HCAPS, patient, employee, and physicians satisfaction scores are all in acceptable ranges. Accountable for building and directing teams to improve core measures and other Joint Commission initiatives. Has ongoing dialogue with nurses both one on one and in monthly staff and clinical unit. Is proactive in identifying needs of staff and resolves issues to improve patient care and supports nursing leadership direction. Is a positive reactor assuring new initiatives and practices are followed consistently without bias.

POSITION SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

§  Nursing Process – Assessment:

o    Assessment and prioritization of patient / staff / department needs in an ongoing and systematic manner.

o    Identifies and solves problems to improve unit safety and morale.

o    Uses initiative and professional judgment to reach quality decisions.

§  Planning:

o    Coordinates with the Management Team patient / staff care standards and issues.

o    Plans long term / short term goals according to department policy, Joint Commission, and Title 22.

o    Knowledgeable of ethical issue policies and how to instruct staff on access for patient care.

§  Implementation:

o    Supervises nursing activities related to patient care and implements standards for accurate reporting and recording of patient symptoms, reactions and progress.

o    Implements and contributes to educational processes for the staff, patient, and family.

o    Assures monthly staff and clinical unit committees occur and minutes are completed and forwarded to CNO for review.

o    Implements new nursing practices in a positive and consistent manner.

§  Documentation:

o    Documentation of department activities, in services, statistics.

o    Identifies opportunities to improve documentation; chart reviews, forms committee.

o    Submit reports on schedule as requested.

§  Performance Improvement:

o    Develops departmental goals and objectives on an annual basis.

o    Participates in annual update.

o    Assures that staff has working knowledge of Core Measure initiatives, National Patient Safety Goals, and all regulatory requirements governing the care of patients. All scores at 90% or better.

§  Risk Management:

o    Adheres to safety and legal requirements at hospital departmental level.

o    Resolves problems collaboratively with appropriate ancillary staff.

o    Ensures that the department is a safe, clean, and secure environment for patients, visitors and staff.

o    Adheres to TERM principles and complies with requirements

§  Resource Utilization:

o    Coordinates appropriate use of supplies, equipment, and personnel.

o    Encourages staff and physician input on unit equipment needs.

o    Staffs department appropriately to meet patient care needs within specified hours per patient day following established policies.

o    Knowledgeable in utilization issues and supports Case Managers in efforts to move patients

along the continuum. Actively discusses plans to assure this occurs.

§  Evaluation:

o    Evaluates patient care through assessment, planning, intervention, reevaluation, written documentation, observation and comparison to established standards.

o    Evaluates need for facilities and equipment through clinical unit committee.

Evaluates educational needs of nursing staff and seeks staff input and works with Education Department to assure ongoing education and competency assessment occurs for each staff member.

MINIMUM ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE

§  Five (5) to Seven (7) years of clinical experience in Emergency as a Registered Nurse required.

§  Minimum 3 years acute care nursing leadership experience in Emergency required.

MINIMUM ESSENTIAL EDUCATION

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  §  Bachelor's degree from an accredited College or University in related field required.

  §  Master's degree from an accredited College or University in related field preferred.

   

  REQUIRED LICENSURE / CERTIFICATIONS

§  Current license as a Registered Nurse in the State of California.

§  Current Basic Life Support (BLS) or CPR Certification through the American Heart Association.

§  Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification through the American Heart Association.

§  Current Pediatric Life Support (PALS) Certification through the American Heart Association.

§  National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) Certificate.

SKILLS AND CERTIFICATIONS [note: bold skills and certification are required]
CA RN license