Brief Job Description:
Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on peoples lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.
The Assistant Chief Nurse Executive performs advanced professional nursing work overseeing and evaluating nursing policies, procedures, and activities within the scope of practice attributed to the skills of a registered nurse at the State Hospital (SH). Ensures that patients rights are protected by addressing issues found in patient care reports, client abuse and neglect reports, 24-hour reports, patient satisfaction surveys, and other hospital reporting mechanisms. Assists in the design, development, and implementation of systems that evaluate and contribute to the quality of patient care. Performs tasks, demonstrating involvement in furthering performance improvement and quality assessment initiatives between nursing and other professional disciplines. Provides consultation and training to nurse managers to assist them in developing their nursing staff. Develops, reviews, and revises nursing policies and procedures to promote a professional environment, promote the mission of the program and assure congruence with professional and organizational expectations. Reviews medical records and patient assessments to determine compliance with policies and procedures, correctness of assessment, standards of care, and quality of service. Works with external organizations such as universities, professional groups, advocacy groups, and the public to facilitate community involvement. Promotes a teaching environment that empowers nurses to provide effective, compassionate, and efficient nursing care. Supports the Chief Nurse Executive (CNE) to oversee implementation of quality assurance processes including overseeing and evaluating progress of Corrective Action Plans (CAP) and Quality Improvement Plans (QIP) related to nursing services. Works under the minimal supervision of the Chief Nurse Executive with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agencys obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
This position may be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights and/or weekends.
This position may also be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on maximum security locations.
Essential Job Functions (EJFs):
Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
Promotes a teaching environment that empowers nurses to provide effective, compassionate, and efficient nursing care. Fosters a climate for nursing practice that enhances job satisfaction through mutual respect for productivity and quality improvement. Facilitates, coaches, and mentors others in the development and deployment of strategies to ensure optimal levels of nursing services are available to patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Ensures award and recognition activities promote staff morale and acknowledges contributions made by individuals and teams within all levels of nursing services.
Assists in the design, development, and implementation of systems that evaluate and contribute to the quality of patient care. Performs tasks, demonstrating involvement in furthering performance improvement and quality assessment initiatives between nursing and other professional disciplines. Assigns project teams of essential stakeholders to address improvement opportunities using the principles of continuous quality improvement and documents appropriately. Utilizing data, assures a system of concurrent reporting of general patterns and trends of nursing care provided (e.g., 24-hour nursing report). Incorporates program specific monitoring into ongoing performance improvement activities. Establishes vehicles to assure readily available, accurate, and useable data, congruent with goals and objectives, and meets reporting responsibilities.
Ensures that patients rights are protected by addressing issues found in patient care reports, client abuse and neglect reports, 24-hour reports, patient satisfaction surveys, and other hospital reporting mechanisms. Assists investigations and trains Nursing Staff related to Disability Rights Texas Complaints. Enters restraint and seclusion documentation on ALL restraints, corrections, and finalizations and enters Unauthorized Departure documentation including reports, reviews, and finalizations in CWS Avatar.
Works with the CNE and others to coordinate information dissemination efforts to staff, residents, and other stakeholders to promote awareness of health care issues or concerns at the State Hospital. Ensures that all departmental staff are compliant in training per agency and facility standards. Provides opportunities for in-service and continuing education training for LVNs, and RNs to ensure others maintain competence in nursing best practice. Complies with state mandated continuing education to maintain licensure as a registered nurse. Evaluates the available continuing education programs available and makes recommendations for improvements. Develops and implements in-service training to address areas identified for corrective action and quality improvement.
Develops, reviews, and revises nursing policies and procedures to promote a professional environment, promote the mission of the program and assure congruence with professional and organizational expectations. Assists the CNE in developing guidelines to promote compliance with nursing laws, rules, and regulations. Participates in quality assurance reviews and other activities related to the development/enhancement/refinement of nursing policy and procedure. Explains nursing policies and procedures to nurse managers, LVNs and RN so that they can effectively implement them. Ensures appropriate administration of corrective and adverse actions when required, including adverse personnel action.
Serves as a resource and subject matter expert on nursing protocols, and activities. Participates on and/or chairs various committees as assigned. Communicates and/or interfaces orally and/or in writing with other state hospital nursing departments, HHS State Office, family members/guardians and other state and local entities to improve services, provide information, and to conduct business.
Supervises and manages assigned staff. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, reviewing applications, intervi
