Associate Chief Nursing Officer (ACNO)

Summary

• GENERAL SUMMARY The Associate Chief Nursing Officer (ACNO) is accountable for the performance and outcomes of various hospital departments with oversight of nursing professional practice. In collaboration with physician and hospital leadership, the ACNO will identify priority outcome opportunities, coordinate the design and implementation of appropriate tools to measure, assess, and evaluate patient throughput, safety, quality, and outcomes and engage in performance improvement activities to achieve organizational and strategic priorities. The ACNO also supports the VP Patient Care Services / Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) in the planning, establishment, and implementation of comparable standards of nursing practice and care throughout the hospital and evaluates those outcomes. The ACNO supports sound fiscal and human resource practices and provides effective leadership to support the development and achievement of the organization's strategic priorities. VP / Chief Nursing Officer and the Associate CNO are accountable for the day to-day inpatient nursing operations and oversight of nursing professional practice. Reports to the VP Patient Care Services / Chief Nursing Officer (CNO).
• ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Demonstrates a high level of responsibility, ethical practice, sensitivity to a diverse patient population, and adherence to legal and regulatory requirements. Provides administrative direction to ensure the proper coordination of resources for patient care, transport, patient placement, and discharge. Participates in the development, implementation, utilization and evaluation of cost-effective, medical facility programs, policies and procedures that address the high-quality nursing care, treatment and service needs of the patient population. Identifies and leads initiatives to meet objectives of improved efficiencies, effectiveness, and patient experience while demonstrating a commitment to high quality, safe patient care and work environments. Provides administrative direction to management staff within areas of responsibility including supporting plan development, priority-setting, decision-making, and professional development. Collaborates to ensure adequate financial resources are made available to fulfill vision of delivering excellent nursing care. Lead efforts to ensure the most effective clinical quality and safety infrastructures and processes are in place. Evaluates statistics indicating patient flow, hospital discharges, throughput performances, and potential issues and escalates issues appropriately. Creates an environment that supports the advancement of professional nursing and advanced practice and the development of a robust nursing workforce. Initiates, develops, and implements collaborative activities between nursing and other health care disciplines and departments. Assures short and long-range financial goals are met by establishing and managing the budgets. Monitors departmental expenses by reviewing variance reports and taking action for adjustments and improvements as needed to ensure optimal productivity standards are met. Monitors and assesses trends, external environment and internal practices; makes recommendations to develop / adjust strategy to meet the changing business and market conditions. Participates in developing and implementing recruitment and retention strategies to ensure a sufficient and stable workforce of qualified staff members is available to meet the needs of the patients. Participates in leadership activities such as committees, professional organizations, publishing, teaching, and research. Role models the EXCEL behaviors and coach / mentor staff to impact staff and patient experience. Promotes teamwork, mutual respect and effective communication. Leads, manages, coaches, and trains a team or department, provides guidance, support, and mentors to ensure optimal performance and productivity. Oversees the recruitment, hiring, team / department orientation, performance appraisals and disciplinary actions including up to termination processes for a team or department. Performs all other duties as assigned.
• LICENSES AND / OR CERTIFICATIONS Required Licenses and / or Certifications Current Virginia state license as a Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Nurse holding a valid Compact State license required. Preferred Licenses and / or Certifications None preferred.
• MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS Required Education and Experience Master’s degree in nursing required; OR master’s degree in business administration, public health, healthcare administration, or related field provided the candidate also possesses a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Minimum 7 years of progressive nursing leadership experience in a setting committed to collaborative decision making and team development required. Preferred Education and Experience None preferred. Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Professional knowledge of areas of responsibility to include theory, practice and administration in order to direct planning and implementation. Analytical skills necessary to organize and oversee work of subordinates.
• WORKING CONDITIONS

Expected to work in a patient care environment with minimal exposure to environmental hazards such as, but not limited to, excessive noise, dust, or extremes in temperatures. Exposure to communicable diseases and moderately adverse working conditions due to the need to perform certain patient care activities can be expected.

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