Career Center

The Nurse Manager (Behavioral Health Service) holds the responsibility for implementation of the Vision, Mission and Values of the Wilmington VAMC within their defined areas of responsibility. The Nurse Manager is a first level-nursing manager who functions under the direction and guidance of the Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS) of Behavioral Health Service to provide administrative leadership. The Nurse Manager provides direct supervision of nursing personnel in the Behavioral Health Services (BHS) and Care Management and Social Work Services (CMSWS) service lines and evaluates their performance and competency. The incumbent is knowledgeable concerning the disciplinary process and keeps his/her supervisor abreast of such actions. The Nurse Manager is responsible for all issues that affect nursing including standards of practice, credentialing, training, functional statements, position descriptions, proficiency reports, performance appraisals, policies, procedures, protocols and competencies. The Nurse Manager will serve as a responsible member of the BHS and CMSWS teams and will interact with Veteran patients and their family members, professional and supportive personnel who provide patient care and other hospital staff. He/she is administratively responsible to the ACOS for BHS and responsible for other team members. He/she ensures appropriate orientation, education and continuing professional development of nursing personnel they supervise. The Nurse Manager assumes responsibility for staffing and scheduling of permanent and supplemental nursing staff, and ensures that assignments of the staff reflect their appropriate utilization, compliance with staffing guidelines and the Joint Commission (JC) standards. The Nurse Manager will possess and maintain the skills necessary to function as a member of the BHS and CMSWS teams and is fiscally responsible and participates in planning and monitoring the budget for his/her area of responsibility. The incumbent serves as a role model and coaches and supports staff in critical thinking regarding professional nursing practice. He/she fosters an atmosphere conducive to educational experiences for nursing and other students. The Nurse Manager facilitates an environment of interdisciplinary collaboration and collegial relationships. He/she promotes peer review among the staff. The nurse is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and determines the appropriate delegation of tasks consistent with the nurse's obligation to provide optimal care (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses). Leads and organizes delivery of care to assure continuity of care and peer accountability for practice, including access to care and discharge planning. Uses sound clinical judgment in assessing, planning, implementing, documenting, and evaluating nursing care, based on the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice. Guides staff in the application of critical thinking and process improvement to improve patient care. Anticipates and recognizes medical/surgical/psychiatric emergencies and initiates or leads others to implement appropriate and timely actions. Uses advanced clinical knowledge/judgment to promote staff involvement in planning, decision-making, and evaluating outcomes. Functions as an expert in clinical practice and/or areas related to the assigned roles and responsibilities. Systematically evaluates current practice and formulates outcomes for groups of patients and/or organizational processes within area of expertise. Guides, develop, and support staff from a leadership perspective. Uses professional standards of care, scientific evidence, and practice to evaluate programs/service activities. Demonstrates grade-appropriate and consistent critical thinking skills. Initiates and/or leads interdisciplinary committees, task forces, groups to improve patient care at the program or medical center level. Develops and evaluates clinical guidelines or customer service initiatives at the unit, program, or medical center level. Identifies opportunities for improvement and initiates the performance improvement process at the unit level. Participates in performance improvement activities, demonstrating leadership in unit and service level performance improvement activities. Utilizes innovations and creative approaches for changing nursing practice at the service and medical center level, based on performance improvement findings. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Financial Disclosure Report: Not required