Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)

You are applying for the full-time Chief Nursing Officer Position

Position Summary - The Director of Nursing has overall responsibility and accountability for the coordination of Nursing Services and the hospital Performance Improvement program.

1. Provides the authority and accountability for the provision of nursing care and practice by establishing hospital standards of care and ensures policies and procedures are based on these current practice standards. Holds nursing staff accountable for maintaining practice Accountability is maintained through ensuring that Registered Nurses prescribe, delegate, coordinate, execute nursing care and provide supervision to unlicensed nursing personnel. Specifically, ensures therapeutic techniques support the utilization of the nursing process that promotes safe, effective and cost efficient patient care.

2. Promotes a climate of professional collaboration within the nursing department, between nursing staff and other disciplines/departments and to schools of nursing as a clinical training site/educational experience.

3. Participates in the evaluation, selection and integration of healthcare technology and information management systems that will benefit patient care and use of nursing

4. Promotes her/himself and staff to participate in professional associations and activities associated with professional nursing, i.e. ANA certification, association membership, etc.

5. Responsible for development and implementation of continuing education programs that meets the needs of clinical staff members of the Plans, implements and evaluates educational offerings for staff and promotes the professional development of hospital personnel through educational support. Maintains all documentation and record keeping system in compliance with departmental, hospital and external agency requirements.

1. Reviews and approves all nursing policies and procedures annually in relation to their relevance to actual practice, current scientific knowledge, ethical and legal standards, and outcome findings from monitoring and evaluation activities.

2. Participates with leaders from the governing body, management, medical staff and clinical areas in developing the hospital's decision making process, i.e. the development of the hospital's mission, performance improvement priorities, strategic plans, resource allocation, budgets, operation plans and policies. Specifically develops the nursing budget in collaboration with other nursing leaders and hospital

Performance Improvement -

a. Nursing Department - In collaboration with nursing staff identifies and documents important aspects of nursing care, indicators that measure the outcome of care, systems to monitor and evaluate care and measures that ensure corrective actions are implemented.

b. System Wide - Monitoring and evaluation processes associated with quality control and improvement, risk management and resource utilization to ensure a climate of and execution of system wide performance improvement.

4. Participates and coordinates compliance in all surveys related to accreditation and licensure; and acts as the accountable representative for nursing services.

5. Accepts special assignments or duties as indicated by the

1. Ensures that the number and mix of nursing staff assigned are consistent with the skill level required to meet patient needs, the numbers and acuity level of patients, and support the participation of nursing staff in committees, clinical staffing and inservice education.

2. Develops and participates in mechanisms that support the recruitment, retention and ongoing education of nursing staff.

3. Develops and participates in mechanisms to define objective criteria for job descriptions that support the annual review, evaluation and recognition of excellence in individual nursing staff.

1. Will adhere to all safety policies and safe work

2. Will attend hospital safety

3. Will adhere to all hospital policies and

4. Annually review safety policies for your department to ensure compliance with regulatory agencies and hospital practice.

5. Annually review the number of injuries, types and costs for your department as well as provide effective corrective action, which results in reduction of

6. Annually set safety goals for your department and review every 6 months for

7. Annually review and maintain updated job descriptions, performance evaluations, orientation checklists and competencies.

8. Report all accidents immediately and provide effective timely corrective action on all accidents.

9. Ensure departmental safe work

Education/Training & Experience: Masters degree in Psychiatric or Mental Health Nursing is preferred. A Baccalaureate degree will be considered if experience level or continuing education produces knowledge and skills equivalent to that of a Masters prepared nurse. The DON must maintain a supervisory relationship with a Masters level nurse.

Must demonstrate current licensure with the Kentucky Board of Nurses.

Four years employment as an RN in a psychiatric setting in positions of progressive responsibility and leadership. This should include at least two years in a supervisory and/or administrative role.

Knowledge Required: Principles of nursing care, nursing administration and all other aspects of the provision of safe, effective patient care. Working knowledge of standards and requirements associated with nursing practice and accreditation and licensing regulations. Current knowledge regarding trends in the fields of psychiatric and general health care.