General Summary

Under broad administrative direction, plans, organizes, directs, controls and evaluates the delivery of patient care services within a clinical division. Collaborates in setting long term strategy for clinical program development and service delivery. Assumes responsibility for the design and implementation of patient care delivery systems which promote collaboration with other health care disciplines, facilitate the cost effective utilization of available resources, and support the achievement of corporate quality and business objectives.

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. Designs clinical services to meet program goals and achieve quality, cost and volume objectives. Develops and implements operating budgets and productivity and utilization management systems.

• Collaborates effectively with medical staff leadership in projecting program development needs, and in identifying immediate and future requirements for clinical services. Demonstrates a systems approach to program and facilities planning at the organizational level.
• Directs the design and development of clinical services which are responsive to customer requirements, reflect the input and participation of staff and maximize productivity and effectiveness of work processes.
• Develops, justifies and monitors the annual operating budget for the division.
• Provides for adequate capital equipment resources for patient care through participation and leadership in the capital management process within clinical operations.

2. Develops and directs patient care delivery systems which assure consistency, quality, and cost effectiveness of patient care services across the continuum of care, and which significantly reduce unit cost over time.

3. Creates management systems which assure the achievement of organizational goals, promote the performance, development and retention of staff, and are responsive to needs for change.

• Supports participation of staff and managers in institutional service quality improvement teams and projects.
• Creates an environment which is customer focused, supports staff participation in process improvement, and empowers staff to make decisions to improve patient care.
• Assures that staff has the training, time and resources needed to participate in service quality improvement activities.

4.Collaborates with clinical quality leadership to improve clinical utilization and create systems and processes which significantly reduce cost and improve clinical outcomes.

5. Monitors patient and stakeholder satisfaction and directs systems and services to respond to requirements and improve satisfaction.

6. Assures compliance with standards of professional practice for nursing and allied health professions. Assures the competence and effectiveness of professional and support staff that provides patient care. Assures compliance with regulatory requirements within service lines and clinical areas.

• Collaborates in the development and organizational policy which governs the practice of nursing within the organization. Represents nursing and patient care services in organizational forums, including medical staff committees, administrative committees and task forces, and groups reporting to the UMMS Board of Directors.
• Establishes an effective governance structure within the division for development and implementation of policy, and for the development and monitoring of standards of patient care and professional practice.
• Assures that divisional policies, procedures and operating practices are in compliance with standards set by external regulatory and accrediting agencies.

7. Develops sound and effective fiscal operating procedures which assure that the business goals of the division are met.

• Creates collaborative relationships and promotes effective communications between divisional managers and finance and accounting staff.
• Assures that managers have the financial management skills necessary to effectively manage unit performance to financial goals through guidance, education and development.
• Effectively articulates the relationship between strategic goals for service quality, clinical outcomes and financial performance.
• Effectively manages the financial performance of the division.

8. Develops an organizational environment which supports professional development and effective performance of staff and managers.

• Establishes practices for recruitment, selection and development of employees which assure that the divisional leadership is in tune with institutional priorities and values, and have the skills and abilities to lead in the current environment.
• Ensures the planning, design and implementation of programs needed for the orientation, competency assessment and professional development of staff.
• Develops and implements a plan for recruitment, retention, motivation and development of staff which assures that qualified staff are available to provide patient care.
• Directs the implementation of effective performance management systems within the division which assures that performance planning and feedback is effective, performance evaluations are completed in a timely manner, and that merit adjustments are equitable.
• Demonstrates leadership in promoting and valuing work force diversity and in facilitating the recruitment, development and retention of minority staff.
• Designs and implements effective divisional communications systems to assure that staff are informed about organizational changes in a timely manner.