Nurse Iv/ Asst Chief Nurse Executive

Are you ready to be professionally challenged? Are you looking to be part of a dynamic team of engaged and committed professionals? Then the Health and Specialty Care System (HSCS) may be just the place for you! The State Hospital System, under the HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals located throughout the state and one youth residential psychiatric center in Waco. The HSCS is a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. The hospitals provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and evidence-based. Whether in a direct-care or support role, your contribution will make a difference in the life of a Texan. Apply now to join our team.
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 patient’s 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 agency’s 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.

Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular basis and may be required 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 mentor’s 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 patient’s 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, interviewing candidates, selecting, and hiring potential employees, scheduling and assigning workload, establishing performance measures, evaluating work performance, providing feedback and guidance, recommending staff development and training, recommending personnel and disciplinary actions, scheduling and approving leave.
Provides consultation and training to nurse managers to assist them in developing their nursing staff. Consults and assists with complex cases and/or patients that exhibit challenging behaviors. Provides consultation, technical assistance, and support to RN shift supervisors to in adjusting the nurse staffing schedule to meet patient needs. Provides technical assistance to nursing staff and direct care staff on how to implement health care plans.
Facilitates an atmosphere of interactive management and the development of collegial relationships among nursing personnel and others. Participates in the development and support of partnerships within the organization and key stakeholders, including patients and their families, and other departments within the hospital. Works with external organizations such as universities, professional groups, advocacy groups, and the public to facilitate community involvement. Supports and fosters academic linkages with colleges, universities, and other applicable training programs.
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. Reviews audit reports for citations and develops and implements a CAP to correct any citations. Reviews special investigations involving nursing staff where Abuse, Neglect and/or Exploitation (ANE) is asserted. Alerts leadership to safety/risk management issues and actively facilitates problem-solving strategies.
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 agency’s 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.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of Texas Nurse Practice Act, and the role of peer review in the provision of professional nursing
Knowledge of management theory, organizational planning, plan deployment, and improving organizational performance
Knowledge of the Recovery Model of Care
Knowledge of training principles, practices, and techniques
Knowledge of group process, group dynamics, and interpersonal relations
Knowledge of nursing competencies, standards and psychiatric rehabilitation practices and techniques
Knowledge of professional nursing Standards, CPR, Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS), Treatment, Intervention, and Protection Strategies (TIPS), and Psychiatric Nursing Assistant (PNA) Curriculum
Knowledge of staffing plans
Skills in the care and treatment of patients
Strong interpersonal skills which promote teamwork
Skills in utilizing computer hardware/software
Skills in administering restraint and seclusion
Strong coaching skills
Ability to organize, coordinate, and evaluate nursing activities
Ability to instruct, train, and supervise the work of others
Ability to develop a budget
Ability to provide patient care
Ability to prepare and maintain records
Ability to organize and communicate information both orally and in writing
Ability to interpret and explain standards and regulations
Ability to instruct, train, oversee and provide guidance to others
Ability to create and evaluate training objectives, requirements, and effectiveness of delivery
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
Ability to formulate learning objectives
Ability to manage time effectively
Ability to intervene therapeutically with patients experiencing psychiatric disorders (delusions, hallucinations, suicidal/homicidal ideation)
Ability to perform CPR, the Heimlich Maneuver, use the AED, provide First Aid
Ability to provide patient/family education regarding medications, disease processes, and health

Registration or Licensure Requirements:
Licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of Texas, or in a party state, that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact.

Initial Selection Criteria:
Graduation from a Bachelor of Science degree program accredited by the Texas State Board of Nurse Examiners
Licensed to practice as a registered nurse in the State of Texas (or a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact). Experience with a psychiatric population and/or with severe and persistent mental illness.
Five (5) years of experience in direct nursing practice as a practicing registered nurse in a recognized health agency, hospital, health-care facility, and/or clinic setting.
Three (3) years’ experience as an administrative nurse with supervisory authority over other nurses.
Experience working in a setting with other professional disciplines. Experience with computers and/or an electronic medical record.

Additional Information:
Job Req # 554024
All new hire candidates will be required to receive COVID-19 medical screening (nasal test) as part of the due diligence process.
COVID-19 Precaution(s):
Personal protective equipment required and provided
Temperature screenings
Social distancing guidelines in place
Sanitizing, disinfecting, or cleaning procedures in place
Vaccines available for employees
Salary Note: The salary offered will follow HHS HR Policy starting salary guidelines which are typically made at or near the minimum of the salary range. For internal applicants, there can be limitations in consideration of applicant’s current classification and salary and is dependent upon available budget. Note: For program areas that have an approved market rate, the starting salary is considered the minimum of the market rate.
Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, and HHS OIG list of Excluded Individuals/Entities. Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.
Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.
Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All of these diseases are vaccine-preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.
If you need assistance completing the online application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747.

MOS Code:
68C, 66N/P/W, 290X, 46FX, 46NX, 46SX
Note: Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to: 68C, 66N/P/W, 290X, 46FX, 46NX, 46SX. All active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx.