SEARHC is a non-profit health consortium which serves the health interests of the residents of Southeast Alaska. We see our employees as our strongest assets. It is our priority to further their development and our organization by aiding in their professional advancement.

Working at SEARHC is more than a job, it’s a fulfilling career. We offer generous benefits, including retirement, paid time off, paid parental leave, health, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance and long and short-term disability, and more.

Key Essential Functions and Accountabilities of the Job

Financial Responsibilities:

Provides oversight for the overall financial performance of the assigned departments.  Sets annual budget for departments and practices cost effective utilization of staff and other resources and suggests alternatives for increasing cost effectiveness.

Oversight of clinical operations:

Coordinates Nursing Service orientation of new staff monitoring skills and provides guidance for new skill development.  Selects and evaluates the performance of preceptors for new employees.

Makes patient care assignment based on care requirements of the individual patient, complexity of total assignment, category, and qualifications of personnel. 

Reviews the need for and recommends changes in staffing standard based on patient classification/staff utilization studies. 

Revises, implements and administers nursing services and department specific policies, procedures and standards on the assigned clinical area.  

Collaborates with other health care providers in arranging and conducting patient care conferences.

Facilitates and participates in area quality improvement activities to monitor compliance with high standards of patient care, and to identify areas needing focus for performance improvement.

Management and leadership for assigned departments and staff:

Assists in training and career development of staff for new responsibilities and authority as needed.  Partners with the Education department and Human Resources to provide ongoing education, training, and competency validation.  Holds individuals accountable for completion of all education, training, and competency validation by due dates.

Updates Job Descriptions and performance standards as required.  Evaluates performance of staff based on Job Description and written standards of performance.  Recommends awards, effects reprimands and recommends adverse actions based on evaluated performance.

Communicates potential administrative concerns and unresolved employee or patient issues to the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO).

Oversees the planning, preparation, and approval of the staffing schedule according to agency personnel policies and regulations. Approves employee leave. 

Effectively delegates assignments to appropriate staff members.

Coordinates Nursing Service activities with other areas/departments/divisions.

Sets and approves agenda for department staff meetings.

Sets annual departmental goals.

Oversees supply/equipment ordering for the department.

Identifies departmental needs for personnel, equipment, supplies, and training and utilizes such data for program planning with Nursing Service Administration. 

Initiates discussion with Chief Nursing Officer regarding area or department issues.

completes required competencies, evaluations and trainings by due date.

Compliance with standards of care and regulatory requirements

Implements regulatory agency standards (Joint Commission, CMS, etc.) in the assigned departments, and works collaboratively with the Inpatient Care Coordinator to ensure compliance with payers and regulatory requirements.

Support of MEH leadership strategies

Ability to assume the role of Acting Chief Nursing Officer in the absence of the CNO and coordinate overall Nursing Service activities and reports directly to the Hospital Administrator in that function. 

Fulfills the assignments delegated by the CNO in the event of hospital emergency events. Acts rapidly and effectively in any emergency.

Attends and participates in at least 80% of Nurse Executive Committee meetings; applies information presented in these meetings.

Participates in Nursing Service’s goal setting.

Complies with dress code.

Addresses employee concerns consistent with Human Resources Policy

Support of organizational strategies

Promotes the SEARHC Seven Standards of Excellence.

Resource for clinical care needs

Follows all Duty/ Responsibilities as described in the Registered Nurse position description for each individual unit.

Ability to step into patient care roles as required by changing care needs of the assigned departments.

Behavioral standards

Performs duties independently, exercising professional judgment in determining the correct course of action for any given event.

Able to remain calm, react in a constructive manner, and make sound judgments in emergency and high stress situations.

Addresses performance, behavioral or quality of care issues at the time they are identified and escalates the issue to the appropriate administrator or other leader as needed to reach resolution.

Provides positive feedback as appropriate for staff who meet or exceed performance standards.  Makes recommendations to administration for additional recognition of outstanding performance as appropriate.

Additional Details:

Education, Certifications, and Licenses Required

Graduate of an accredited school of Nursing.

Bachelor’s or master’s degree preferred.

Current full, unrestricted Registered Nursing license in Alaska or other U.S. state required.  Direct Hire must have applied for an Alaska nursing license before start date. Agency staff must have an active Alaska license.

Must have BLS until get ACLS.

ACLS must be obtained within 6 months of hire and biannually thereafter.

PALS and NRP preferred.

High school diploma or equivalent required.

Experience Required

5 years’ professional nursing experience.

Minimum 2 years as staff RN in OB, ER, or ICU Specialty depending on unit assigned.

Ability to demonstrate competencies in OB, ER, or ICU Nursing Standards depending on unit assigned.

1 year with supervisory responsibilities preferred.

Knowledge of

Knowledge of nursing care principles, practices, diagnosis, and processes (including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation) to provide professional nursing care to patients.

Knowledge of Hospital and Departmental Policies and Procedures in order to fully comply with and enforce others on proper application of these measures.

Skills

Knowledge and skills in computer systems including Microsoft Excel, Access, Word.

Knowledge and skills as a super user in EHR.

Proficient in nursing procedures and basic nursing care.

Analytical skills to apply scientific principles in operating and monitoring of basic and specialized medical equipment (ex: defibrillator, gastric and thoracic suction, EKG machines, etc.).

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Strong, sound decision-making and critical thinking skills.

Long-range planning and goal setting skills in order to provide a vision for the department.

Abilities

Enter and retrieve patient data accurately.

Verbally communicate findings with healthcare team.

Use assertive patient management techniques to defuse any patient/visitor/peer volatile situations.

Provide guidance, leadership, and work cooperatively with others by establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships with patients, visitors, and other healthcare team members.

Anticipate departmental needs, plan, and organize.

Use critical thinking abilities to make sound nursing judgements.

Implement appropriate nursing therapeutic interventions based on the knowledge of a wide variety of nursing diagnosis, medical and psychosocial disorders, including the normal course of disease and anticipated complications.

Research new products and equipment for nursing services division.

Demonstrate competencies in OB, ER, or ICU Nursing Standards depending on unit assigned.

Position Information:

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!