Job Summary

The Director of Medical/Surgical-Nursing is responsible for providing leadership, administrative, and clinical direction to a designated nursing division within John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital. Ensures the divisional nursing care delivery system operates according to established Cook County Health & Hospitals System (CCHHS) mission, vision values and goals: integrity of care, efficiency, safety, and quality standards.

This position is exempt from Career Service under the CCH Personnel Rules.

General Administrative Responsibilities

Collective Bargaining

• Review applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements and consult with Labor Relations to generate management proposals
• Participate in collective bargaining negotiations, caucus discussions and working meetings

Discipline

• Document, recommend and effectuate discipline at all levels
• Work closely with labor relations and/or labor counsel to effectuate and enforce applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Initiate, authorize and complete disciplinary action pursuant to CCH system rules, policies, procedures and provision of applicable collective bargaining agreements

Supervision

• Direct and effectuate CCH management policies and practices
• Access and proficiently navigate CCH records system to obtain and review information necessary to execute provisions of applicable collective bargaining agreements

Management

• Contribute to the management of CCH staff and CCH’ systemic development and success
• Discuss and develop CCH system policy and procedure
• Consistently use independent judgment to identify operational staffing issues and needs and perform the following functions as necessary; hire, transfer, suspend, layoff, recall, promote, discharge, assign, direct or discipline employees pursuant to applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Work with Labor Relations to discern past practice when necessary

Typical Duties

• Establishes performance goals and objectives for the nursing division in accordance with Department of Nursing policies, practices, and objectives.
• Monitors and evaluates the overall nursing care delivery system within the nursing division to ensure integrity of patient care within established efficiency, safety, and quality standards.
• Makes rounds to assess and evaluate patient care needs and to ensure care delivered meets Standards of Care and Practice criteria for the designated specialty as required by state, federal or nursing association guidelines.
• Responsible for ensuring that nursing personnel provide optimal customer service and an exceptional patient experience.
• Collects, reviews and analyzes patient acuity and staffing data to determine staffing patterns and project staffing needs, to ensure adequate staffing within each unit of the nursing division.
• Works with Associate Nurse Executive of Nursing Quality to develop division specific quality and safety initiatives. Evaluate nursing division's quality performance and implements corrective actions.
• Participates in development, implementation and evaluation of the nursing division's Performance Improvement Program. Works with Nursing Coordinators, On-Duty Administrators, members of the interdisciplinary leadership team and other supervisory staff to ensure the integration of performance improvement activities into daily practice.
• Establishes and reviews individual performance goals for unit Nursing Coordinators. Ensures they are educated and informed of all Department of Nursing policies, procedures, performance improvement, and quality initiatives.
• Provides direction to Nursing Coordinators in the recruitment and training of qualified clinical staff. Provides guidelines to Nursing Coordinators and nursing education department to ensure continuous education and current, updated certification and licensure of clinical staff.
• Participates in fiscal planning for the nursing division. Reviews expenditures and budget to ensure labor costs and expenses are within established annual guidelines.
• Demonstrate and promotes an awareness of patient rights; provides training to staff to ensure their knowledge and awareness of patient rights; functions as a patient advocate.
• Prepares and submits divisional performance reports on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis.
• Participates in nursing committees, medical and ancillary committees to ensure nursing division is actively linked to and in collaboration with all patient care systems.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Reporting Relationship

Reports to the Associate Nurse Executive, Hospital Based Services

Minimum Qualifications

• Licensed as a Registered Professional Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois OR ability to obtain Illinois State licensure within two (2) weeks of starting employment
• Master’s Degree in Nursing, Public Health, Health Administration, or Business Administration
• Five (5) years of progressive administrative/management experience in an acute care setting with a large scope of responsibility
• Three (3) years of prior Director level experience OR six (6) years of prior Manager level experience in an acute care setting
• American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) or American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) certification within one (1) year of hire
• Must possess a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMS-RN)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
• Critical Care experience
• Management experience in a unionized environment

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

• Thorough knowledge of Medical-Surgical Nursing principles, practices and procedures
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to ensure the protection of the confidentiality and security of healthcare information for all patients
• Diverse knowledge and skill of treatment systems and clinical practices, including but not limited to:
  • Application of Physiologic Monitor (Telemetry)
  • Management of patient with Radioactive Isotope treatment (Radioactive Isolation)
  • Stroke care management
  • Management of patients receiving chemotherapy
  • Wound Vacuum Assisted Closure (V.A.C.) management
  • Management of patient with chest tubes
  • Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line insertion and maintenance
  • Management of patients with cardiovascular disease
  • Management of patients' epidural pump and medication administration
  • Management of different types of medical-surgical patients
  • Management of Ethanol (ETOH) detoxification
• Demonstrated leadership skills in a fast paced environment within established time constraints and in difficult situations
• Demonstrated skills in the following applications of the elements of management:
  • Planning
  • Organizing
  • Staffing
  • Delegating
  • Coordinating
  • Budgeting
  • Evaluating
  • Director/Supervising
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills necessary to communicate with all levels of staff and a patient population composed of diverse cultures and age groups
• Excellent interpersonal and patient relation skills
• Good personal computer skills
• Ability to function as a role model for clinical excellence.
• Ability to supervise, direct, and review activities of nursing personnel
• Ability to create and maintain complete and accurate records and reports
• 24/7 oversight responsibility required.

Physical and Environmental Demands

This position is functioning within a healthcare environment.  The incumbent is responsible for adherence to all hospital and department specific safety requirements.  This includes but is not limited to the following policies and procedures:  complying with Personal Protective Equipment requirements, hand washing and sanitizing practices, complying with department specific engineering and work practice controls and any other work area safety precautions as specified by hospital wide policy and departmental procedures.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the personnel so classified.

For purposes of the American with Disabilities Act, “Typical Duties” are essential job functions.

Interested Candidates should send a CV and cover letter to: mgmtrecruit@cookcountyhhs.org

Cook County Health is an equal opportunity employer.