Director, Nurse Practitioners

JOB SUMMARY

At Houston Methodist, the Director Mid-level Services position is responsible for providing and engaging in patient care while supervising mid-levels and the coordination of care at all levels in terms of the quality of care delivered, as well as for planning, organizing, leading and evaluating mid-level services within area of specialty. This position provides leadership and oversight in the accomplishment of strategic and operational objectives of the department, working closely with physicians, residents and other clinical staff. The Director Mid-level Services position prioritizes patients’ needs, flow of inpatient services and promotes continuity of care, supporting and contributing to guidance and direction of the clinical activities for the service line. This position promotes a practice environment that empowers mid-levels to provide effective, compassionate, efficient and knowledgeable care.

The Director position responsibilities include overseeing the activities of the department staff, ensuring quality, productivity, functional excellence and efficiency to accomplish strategic and operational objectives. In addition, this position is accountable for employee engagement, adequate staffing levels, coaching and counseling employees on work related performance, and developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure a safe and effective work environment. This position also ensures training, monitoring and operations initiatives are implemented which secure compliance with ethical and legal business practices and accreditation/regulatory/government regulations.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Job responsibilities labeled EF capture those duties that are essential functions of the job.

PEOPLE - 20%

1. Directs, develops and implements strategic and operational/high level projects and processes either through independent/highly autonomous work or through the facilitation of work teams to enable the effective and efficient completion of objectives. (EF)
2. Oversees management of and ensures development for staff to meet overall objectives in terms of quality, service and cost effectiveness. Provides timely guidance and feedback to help others strengthen specific knowledge/skill areas needed to accomplish a task or solve a problem. Directs management responsibilities of selection, scheduling, supervision, retention, and evaluation of employees. (EF)
3. Meets or exceeds threshold goal for department turnover and/or system metrics on employee engagement indicators. (EF)
4. Provides leadership and communication to maintain a competent and engaged employee group by conducting regular department meetings to review policies and procedures and operational matters, rounding on all employees, completing performance appraisals, conducting new hire feedback sessions, coaching/corrective counseling, and providing recognition/commendations to achieve desired outcomes. (EF)
5. Identifies opportunities and takes action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, and units to achieve business goals. Drives the promotion of teamwork within and between departments; participates and/or leads and facilitates department process improvements as needed. (EF)
6. Provides and engages in patient care while supervising mid-levels, coordinating care at all levels in terms of the quality of care delivered, as well as for planning, organizing, leading and evaluating mid-level services within area of specialty. (EF)

SERVICE - 20%

1. Oversees department operations, designated projects, schedules and activities as needed to ensure that goals or objectives are accomplished within the prescribed time frame. Sets priorities and functional standards, giving direction to staff as necessary to ensure the best possible delivery of service and high customer/patient satisfaction. (EF)
2. Drives department service standards and activities to impact department and/or system score for patient/customer-based satisfaction, through role modeling and fostering accountability. Serves and actively participates on various entity committees as a voice for the department. (EF)
3. In collaboration with leadership, evaluates, develops and implements plans for patient education including collateral material, resources and special programs; community and physician education including CME programs and partnership events and staff education including orientation, annual competency requirements, resources and on-going educational needs. (EF)

QUALITY/SAFETY - 20%

1. Ensures a safe and effective working environment; monitors and/or revises the department safety plan and/or any specific accreditation/regulatory required safety guidelines. Responsible for staff maintenance of credentials and competencies, per accrediting/ licensing agency and/or department guidelines as applicable. (EF)
2. Employs a proactive approach in the optimization of safe outcomes and information systems by monitoring and improving the department workflow and enhancing operations, using peer-to-peer accountability and identifying solutions via collaboration. Implements process improvements utilizing tools such as lean principles. Role models situational awareness, using teachable moments to improve safety. (EF)
3. Responsible for employee compliance to policies and procedures and performs associated actions upon non-compliance (i.e., focal point review requirements, disaster plan, in-services, influenza immunization, wage and hour, standard hours, timely termination submission, timely timecard approval, etc.). (EF)
4. Remains current and proficient with regulatory requirements for the provision of clinical services. Translates the requirements into operations to ensure compliance. Uses automated systems to access, transmit and produce information. (EF)
5. Identifies opportunities to improve patient care and takes appropriate actions to achieve awareness thorough department leaders and staff. Facilitates professional practice for mid-levels in service line and oversees professional development mechanisms. (EF)

FINANCE - 20%

1. Ensures staffing plans and schedules meet department needs that reflect understanding of the importance of cost-effectiveness. (EF)
2. Creates department strategies to achieve financial target and staffing needs, through optimizing productivity, supply/resource efficiency, minimizing incidental overtime and overtime percentage, and other areas according to department specifications. (EF)
3. Projects anticipated volume and demand for resources. Partners with physicians to schedule mid-level practitioners appropriately. (EF)

GROWTH/INNOVATION - 20%

1. Identifies and implements innovative solutions for practice or workflow changes to improve department, entity or system operations by leading unit projects and/or other department/ system-directed activities. Proactively leads task forces and committees. May represent HM at assigned community or professional organization meetings. (EF)
2. Drives change initiatives, maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjusts effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures. Partners effectively with stakeholders as appropriate. (EF)
3. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development plan on an on-going basis. Conducts conversations with staff on their development and My Development plan. (EF)
4. Facilitates professional practice for mid-levels in service line and oversees professional development mechanisms. Independently seeks opportunities to identify educational opportunities to streamline inefficiencies through action plans and follow-up with leaders in assigned areas. (EF)

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

o Master’s degree

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

o Seven years of progressively responsible experience in applicable field, of which two years must have been in a people management role

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED

Must have one of the following:

o Texas RN license or temporary TX RN license, should obtain permanent license within 90 days, compact license acceptable according to current Board of Nursing requirements; recognized and licensed as an Advanced Practice Nurse (APRN) in the State of Texas with certification by either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

OR

Physician Assistant - Certified (PA-C) credential, licensed and credentialed by the Texas Board of Physician Assistants

o American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS)

o American Heart Association Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

o Prescriptive authority privileges through the State of Texas

o Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration within 6 months of hire

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

o Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

o Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially about activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

o Demonstrates the ability to interact with others in a way that gives them confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization

o Ability to use appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to gain acceptance of ideas or plans; modifying one’s own behavior to accommodate tasks, situations and individuals involved

o Demonstrates leadership qualities and critical thinking through self-direction initiative and effective interpersonal skills and oral/written communication skills

o Ability to identify and understand issues, problems and opportunities, comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints and probable consequences

o Extensive knowledge of regulatory and accreditation agency requirements that impact department; stays abreast of industry changes

o Demonstrates highly effective communication skills—strong written communications and platform presentation abilities

o Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment

o Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in the workplace

o Capable of leading teams/facilitating groups, building consensus and garnering highest confidence in professionalism and work product by senior leadership

o Ability to work under pressure and balance many competing priorities; highly responsive and solution/action oriented

o Proficiency in spreadsheet, word processing, and presentation software

o Maintains a positive and supportive attitude and demeanor

o Professional handling of exposure to confidential/sensitive information

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Work Attire Yes/No

Uniform No

Scrubs Yes

Business professional Yes

Other (dept approved) No

On-Call* Yes, as required by entity/department for operational need

*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (i.e. Disaster, Severe Weather Event, etc.) regardless of selection above.

Travel**

May require travel within Yes

Houston Metropolitan area

May require travel outside No

of Houston Metropolitan area

**Travel specifications may vary by department.

Please note any other special considerations to this job: _________________________