Nursing Director

Nursing Director

Applicants are invited to fill the following vacant position at St. Jude Hospital:

Nursing Director

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited nursing program with post graduate training in              Healthcare Administration, Public Health, Management or a related field.
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is preferred. 
• Minimum of 5-10 years of clinical nursing experience, with progressive responsibility and demonstrated leadership skills. 
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a nursing leadership role, such as nurse manager, assistant director of nursing, or similar position. 
• Registered professional with the General Nursing Council of Saint Lucia. Applicants who meet all eligibility requirements for registration are encouraged to apply.  
• Strong clinical knowledge and expertise in nursing practice, with a commitment to evidence-based care.
• Knowledge of healthcare regulations, accreditation standards, and quality improvement principles. 

Job Summary

The Nursing Director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of nursing care and patient services within the hospital. This leadership role involves strategic planning, staffing management, quality improvement, and ensuring adherence to regulatory standards. The Nursing Director is responsible for the development and enforcement of protocols, establishment of practice guidelines, implementation of effective policies and procedures, and a commitment to continuous professional development.  The Nursing Director plays a pivotal role in promoting a culture of excellence in patient care, continuous improvement and fostering a positive work environment for nursing staff.  

Key Responsibilities

Leadership: 

• Oversee the recruitment, hiring, and retention of nursing staff, ensuring adequate staffing levels to meet patient care needs. 

• Lead and motivate nursing staff, setting clear goals and expectations, providing guidance, and fostering a positive work environment. 

• Provide leadership and mentorship to nursing supervisors and staff, promoting professional development and a culture of teamwork. 

• Develop and maintain staffing schedules, taking into account patient acuity, budgetary constraints, and regulatory requirements. 

• Monitor the use of diagnostic services, bed management, facilities, and staff for effective resource utilization. 

• Stay abreast of healthcare trends, regulations, and best practices. 

Strategic Planning: 

• Develop and implement strategic initiatives to enhance nursing services and improve patient outcomes. 

• Collaborate with hospital leadership to align nursing goals with the overall mission and objectives of the organization. 

• Identify opportunities for growth and expansion of nursing programs and services. 

Quality Improvement: 

• Establish and monitor quality indicators for nursing care, tracking performance metrics and implementing quality improvement initiatives as needed. 

• Conduct regular audits and assessments of nursing practices to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and updated clinical practice guidelines. 

• Responsible for reviewing and auditing critical incidents and putting in place systems to identify patterns of errors, and monitoring systems to help limit the incidence of errors. 

• Lead interdisciplinary teams in developing and implementing evidence-based practices to enhance patient safety and satisfaction. 

Regulatory Compliance: 

• Ensure compliance with regulations, accreditation standards, and licensing requirements related to nursing services. 

• Leads the development of policies, care protocols, and other standards of nursing practice in compliance with accepted standards and to meet patient expectations. 

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of regulatory changes and implement necessary changes to policies and procedures. 

Collaboration: 

• Works collaboratively with the Human Resources team in ensuring proper forecasting, planning, and budgeting of the nursing resource inclusive of contingency planning for adequate staffing with appropriate skills matrices. 

• Partners with the Human Resources team, supports and drives the implementation of Human Resource related initiatives at the departmental level to foster employee engagement and corporate culture aligned with the vision of SJH. 

• Works collaboratively with the Clinical HODs, Medical Director, and the Quality Department, to develop a culture which embeds clinical quality and governance and monitors its effectiveness.  

Budget and Resource Management: 

• Manage the nursing department budget, allocating resources efficiently to support optimal patient care delivery. 

• Monitor expenses and identify opportunities for cost containment or revenue generation. 
• Collaborate with hospital administration and finance department to ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability. 

Professional Development: 

• Formulate and guide the implementation of education and professional development sessions for the staff of the department based on best-evidence guidelines. 

• Participate in educational activities, conferences, and continuing medical education (CME) opportunities to enhance clinical knowledge, skills, and competency in nursing practice. 

Key Competencies:

• Clinical Knowledge: A strong foundation in nursing practice and clinical expertise is essential for understanding patient care needs, assessing nursing performance, and implementing evidence-based practices. 

• Leadership Skills: The ability to inspire, motivate, and empower nursing staff is crucial for fostering a positive work environment and promoting a culture of excellence in patient care. Effective leadership involves setting clear expectations, providing guidance and support, and promoting teamwork and collaboration. 

• Strategic Thinking: Nursing Directors must have the ability to think strategically and develop long-term plans and initiatives to improve nursing services, enhance patient outcomes, and align nursing goals with the overall mission and objectives of the organization. 

• Communication: Strong communication skills are essential for effectively conveying information, articulating expectations, and building relationships with nursing staff, healthcare providers, and other members of the interdisciplinary team. This includes both verbal and written communication skills. 

• Adaptability: The healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, and Nursing Directors must be able to adapt to changing circumstances, priorities, and challenges while remaining resilient and maintaining a focus on quality patient care. 

• Ethical Conduct: Upholding ethical standards and promoting integrity and professionalism in nursing practice is essential for maintaining trust and credibility with patients, families, and healthcare colleagues. Respect for patient confidentiality and privacy. 

• Team Building: The ability to build and maintain cohesive and high-performing teams is critical for achieving organizational goals and delivering high-quality patient care. This includes fostering collaboration, promoting professional development, and recognizing and valuing the contributions of individual team members. 

• Problem-Solving Skills: Nursing Directors must be adept at identifying problems, analyzing root causes, and developing effective solutions to address challenges in nursing practice, patient care delivery, staffing, and resource management. 

• Change Management: Nursing Directors should possess the ability to lead and manage change effectively, whether it involves implementing new processes, adopting new technologies, or responding to shifts in healthcare regulations or industry trends.

Salary will be paid in accordance with the terms stipulated by The Board of St. Jude Hospital in the Estimates of Expenditure commensurate with experience and qualifications for the post.

Applications accompanied by resume and certified certificates should be submitted no later than Tuesday July 9 , 2024 and sent to:

Human Resources Department     St. Jude Hospital       P.O. Box 331       Vieux–Fort     St. Lucia.

              (whilst we thank all applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted)