Career Central

General Summary

Under general administrative direction of the Nurse Manager, the Assistant Nurse Manager, Patient Care Services (PCS) is accountable for the delivery of patient care services which supports the strategic plan of the organization and achieves clinical and service quality objectives, in a clinical unit or care delivery site. This role is accountable for the quality of clinical services delivered, for the competency and performance of nursing staff, and for designing and maintaining systems to support multidisciplinary team functioning and continuity of services within a product line, while working in coordination with Nurse Manager. The Assistant Nurse Manager, PCS also serves as a key participant in organizational project teams and work groups at the organizational and unit level.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

1. Helps to manage and evaluate the system of care delivery and clinical services on one or more patient care units which helps to meets clinical and service quality objectives alongside the Nurse Manager.
   • In collaboration with medical staff leadership, assesses requirements for care delivery systems to meet changing patient population requirements. Plans strategies and services to meet clinical program objectives. Communicates long and short term plans and objectives to staff under the direction of the Nurse Manager.
   • Ensures excellence of clinical practice and patient care services, including meeting or exceeding customer requirements, improving clinical outcomes and achieving productivity and expense reduction goals. Assures that programs, services and staff performance meet regulatory requirements and professional standards.
   • In collaboration with Nurse Manager, supports unit based professional practice partnership(s) which are designed around the requirements of customers (patient, physicians and payors) and which involve staff in decision making and unit operations.
   • Develops effective administrative, coordination and communication systems. Ensures effectiveness of unit operations alongside the Nurse Manager.
   • Collaborates with multidisciplinary team members to assess, redesign and continually improve effectiveness and productivity of clinical programs.
2. Assumes a leadership role in managing the quality of services provided at the unit level.
   • Implements systems to assess and respond to customer perceptions of service. Is visibly involved in obtaining customer feedback, incorporating customer requirements into service design and requiring staff performance which meets customer requirements.
   • Implements systems to manage and improve the performance of unit level processes and to improve the performance, consistency and coordination of cross functional processes.
   • Teaches and coaches staff in effective process analysis and improvement techniques and in using data to assess and improve unit performance.
   • Provides leadership visibility and presence during non-traditional shifts, working alongside the manager to maintain employee/supervisor relationships, and also assists in balancing time management for nurse manager.
   • Assistant Manager is on-point to provide on-site coverage for the Manager when they are off-site for any protracted period.
3. Manages human and fiscal resources to meet financial goals and achieve identified outcomes.
   • Effectively participates in the development, communication, monitoring and management of personnel on the unit.
   • Effectively incorporates patient care requirements, into the development of unit-based orientation processes and on-boarding plans.
   • Coordinates with Nurse Manager to ensure maximal effectiveness and efficiency of staffing plan for unit, including skill mix and scheduling.
   • Develops and maintains leadership relationships with staff, in order to support healthy workplace environment and culture, and promote staff retention.
4. Develops and implements clinical utilization strategies which support clinical pathways, discharge planning and case management.
   • Under the direction and supervision of the Nurse Manager., develops and implements effective human resource management strategies.
   • Collaborates to direct systems for orientation, competency validation, professional development and staff recognition.
   • Upholds effective performance management systems which provide clear expectations to staff in all roles, support staff participation in peer feedback and effectively address individual and group performance outcomes.
   • Creates an atmosphere which fosters team work and open communication among staff. Models effective behaviors as a facilitator, coach and group leader.
   • Creates a unit based climate which values and supports diversity and demonstrates career development and promotion of minority staff.
5. Demonstrates leadership in supporting the implementation of automated clinical and administrative information management systems. Directs the implementation of unit level process changes to facilitate implementation and realize the value of automated systems.
6. Interprets and enforces hospital and nursing policies, practices, procedure with staff, patients, public and other members of the health team in a consistent, equitable manner.
7. Supports innovation in clinical practice and care delivery systems by staying current with innovations and literature in healthcare and care delivery. Disseminates and incorporates research findings into practice. Supports data-based ideas and innovations generated by staff and multidisciplinary research projects at the unit level.
8. Interprets organizational goals and objectives to staff. Translates organizational mission, values and priorities into goals and objectives at the unit level. Identifies implications of external environment for the organization and unit. Facilitates staff discussion and response to issues which effect nursing practice and care delivery.