Departmental Nurse Manager (HPC/RN 4) - Western Child And Adolescent Hospital

JOB PURPOSE

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Director of Nursing Services, the incumbent is responsible for supervising, organizing, co-ordinating and evaluating the nursing service in more than one general patient care unit. The Departmental Nurse Manager has an increased level of responsibility and holds a key management leadership position managing a group of units or a large specialized area. This position works closely with the Director of Nursing Services and Deputy Director of Nursing Services. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE:

Administrative 

• Plans activities of the department for daily, weekly and monthly implementation.
• Prepares timetables, rosters, assignments to ensure coverage of department based on available numbers and levels of staff. 
• Coordinates departmental activities with those of other departments and/or units.
• Reviews daily, weekly and monthly reports from units. 
• Prepares reports on various aspects of departmental administration. 
• Initiates departmental policies within overall framework of hospital/nursing policy.
• Ensures appropriate implementation of policies. 
• Consults with Supervisory Nurses and other members of Health Team regarding interpretation of policy, regulations and problems of the department, clinical or administrative.
• Investigates critical incidents, unusual occurrences, complaints and take appropriate action.
• Makes decisions regarding departmental operations of a manager and/or clinical nature.
• Prepares departmental budget. 
• Ensures cost effective use of all resources such as human, material, financial time.
• Serves on Nursing Service, Hospital, Ministry and other committees. 
• Prepares departmental procedures. 
• Reviews, approves and submits recommendations for promotion education and training.
• Interviews and counsels professional and auxiliary staff. 
• Supervises and evaluates Level 11 professional staff and reviews evaluations.
• Establishes departmental procedures and carries out periodic audits. 
• Receives daily reports from units for administrative purposes. 
• Makes daily departmental rounds, assessing clinical and administrative practices, physical environment, equipment, supplies, materials, etc. 

Clinical 

• Provides clinical consultation to Level 11 and Level 1 Nurses. 
• Assists as necessary with clinical care of dangerously/critically ill patients.
• Initiates and/or assists with major procedures. 
• Institutes emergency treatment. 
• Carries out triage functions. 
• Ensures patient acuity level/classification system is used for staff assignment.
• Ensures appropriate deployment of nursing staff. based on education, experience and competence. 
• Observes and evaluates clinical practice (clinical audits) 
• Visits and confers with patients and relatives. 
• Receives daily clinical reports on patients. 
• Introduces creative/innovative cost-effective measures to improve nursing care delivery system at departmental level e.g. guides staff in realizing research-based nursing care.
• Facilitates the clinical education of nursing students, guides interns, new medical staff in the clinical area. 

Education 

• Participates in teaching of nursing students and students of other disciplines.
• Conducts departmental in-service education and participates in hospital in-service education.
• Acts as preceptor for post basic nursing students and students from other disciplines.
• Guides and directs junior medical staff and other health professionals. 
• Reviews and/or revises departmental materials, e.g. procedure manuals. 
• Prepares examination questions and marks script on request from the Nursing Council.
• Participates in the selection and other pre-entry activities of students to Registered Nursing, Midwifery and Auxiliary programmes. 
• Participates in selection of candidates for in-service training (e.g. Patient Care Assistants).
• Provides departmental orientation for nursing, medical and other staff. 

Research 

• Initiates and carries out research of a clinical or administrative nature to deal with departmental problems. 
• Supports unit research, encourages staff participation. 
• Participates in nursing and multi-disciplinary research. 
• Prepares and documents departmental data of an administrative and clinical nature with appropriate analysis, interpretation and recommendations. 
• Implements research-based nursing practice and research based departmental administrative practice. 

Customer Relations 

• Conducts all activities within the appropriate ethical and legal guidelines of the profession and the hospital. 
• Demonstrate courtesy when dealing with patients, their families and visitors.
• Maintains good working relationship will all members of health team. 

Policies and Procedures 

• Adheres to administrative and nursing policies and procedures of the department and organisation. 
• Complies with the organisation's risk management programme including timely and accurate accident / incident reporting. 

General 

• Is responsible and accountable for his/her own professional growth and development.
• Participates in a professional organization. 
• Works with voluntary and non-governmental organizations for the benefits of the agency/institution and the community. 

SPECIAL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE JOB:

• Required to work beyond normal working hours. 
• Required to meet critical deadlines. 
• Exposure to confidential and sensitive information. 

QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Certificate/Diploma/B.Sc. in General Nursing and Certificate in Midwifery from an accredited school of Nursing and Midwifery. 
• Six (6) – Eight (8) years of clinical practice to proficiency level as Registered Nurse, Registered Midwife with assignment as Nurse/Ward Manager for at least three (3) years.
• Registration with the Nursing Council of Jamaica as a Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife.
• Approved certification in Nursing Administration (course duration should not be less than four (4) months). 

ONLY SHORTLISTED APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONTACTED