Director – Inpatient Behavioral Services

Position Summary

The Inpatient Behavioral Services Department is a 28-bed adult/ dual diagnosis program. The unit is for acute psychiatric illnesses and medically necessary detoxification services 18-64 y/o. The staff provide an integrative, multi-disciplinary approach to treatment. During an inpatient stay, the staff help patients with various treatment approaches including multiple daily therapeutic group sessions, medication, family meetings when appropriate, care coordination, medically necessary detox services, patient and family education, and linkage to community resources.

The Director maintains 24-hour accountability for leading and managing to ensure an outstanding experience for patients and employees by continuously improving the quality of patient care, creating a healthy workplace for staff, and overseeing clinical, and administrative/business functions. The Director is responsible for collaborating with medical staff to monitor patient outcomes and setting clinical quality priorities and using staff feedback to implement professional and patient safety improvements and developing a best practice climate for the growth and development. In addition the Director has responsibility for the oversight of the selection and hiring of staff, department orientation, and fostering a culture of continuous performance management. This includes completing and delivering employee evaluations, managing daily unit and employee performance, as well as the department budget.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with medical staff to monitor patient outcomes; set clinical quality priorities, recommend, and implement professional improvements and initiatives and implement unit-based patient safety initiatives.
• Monitors dashboard indicators and quality in unit/department to meet organizational goals and develops action plans to address specific concerns and improve quality. Utilizes research and evidence-based practice to support improvement in clinical care.
• Shares learning from improvements with other units and/or spreads across the business unit or system.
• Analyzes nurse and patient satisfaction outcome data and develops action plans to address as needed.
• Supports and encourages involvement of staff nurses in the development and implementation of evidence-based practice and quality improvement initiatives.
• Develops and maintains productive working relationships with other directors and senior leaders.
• Resolves and manages conflict effectively and in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates the ability to create a shared vision applies critical thinking skills and utilizes financial and quality data and conceptual knowledge in the development of the department vision and operational plan.
• Involves stakeholders and experts in planning, designing, and redesigning change.
• Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to gain acceptance of ideas or plans; modifying one/s own behavior to accommodate tasks, situations, and individuals involved.
• Supports staff during times of difficult transitions.
• Ensures that nurses practice in accordance with established Clinical Standards of Performance as defined by organization, system, professional, and regulatory organizations.
• Applies national best practices and uses evidence-based practice to build a culture of excellence in patient care.
• Promotes interdisciplinary partnership and consultation of hospital staff and health care team through participation in committees and related activities to ensure appropriate care and services for patients and families.
• Sets clinical, financial, and human resources priorities for improvement in concert with organizational goals.
• Demonstrates sound fiscal responsibility in the development and management of the department budget and holds staff accountable for the efficient use of resources including but not limited to managing flexible staffing patterns to meet patient care needs.
• Sets high standards of performance for self and others by imposing standards of excellence and development of inquiry skills that are innovative, optimistic, and supportive of professional growth.
• Creates developmental paths and plans for staff to increase the expertise and caliber of staff. Initiates innovation in staff development, clinical orientation, and continuing education, and supports specialty certification.
• Develops a best practice climate for the growth and development of students as well as new nurses.
• Actively recruits nursing students through the establishment of exceptional clinical experiences.
• The Unit Director is expected to lead and develop all Clinician(s) that report directly to them to build strong leadership and communication skills, as well as mentorship in daily leadership responsibilities.
• Supports Clinician(s) in their role of oversight of direct reports, including difficult conversations, performance reviews, and recruitment.

Qualifications

At least three (3) years of nursing leadership experience within an acute care facility required.

Must have a minimum of five (5) years of behavioral health experience is also required.

Experience working with various accrediting bodies.

Active Registered Nurse licensure in North Carolina or Multistate RN license required.

BSN  required.  MSN or Masters Degree in related field preferred.

Certifications: Basic Life Support (BLS) and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention/De-escalation certifications required. Specialized credentials like Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (RN-BC) preferred.

Must have strong skills in the management of human resources with the ability to handle multiple demands simultaneously.

Strong planning and organization skills required.

Demonstrated business, financial, and clinical skills to manage the operations of department to ensure high quality, patient focused care required.

Demonstrated leadership and administrative skills with the ability to develop and coach staff as well as the ability to delegate.

Strong listening and critical thinking skills required.

Strong oral and written communication skills are essential.