Ast. Dir. Nursing, Correctional Health Services, OTxHU - NYC Health

Since 2016, Correctional Health Services (CHS) has been the direct provider of health care in the New York City jails. Deeply committed to human dignity and patient rights, CHS is part of the NYC Health + Hospitals system and is a key partner in the City’s efforts to reform the criminal-legal system. Our in-jail clinical services include medical, nursing, and mental health care; pharmacy services; substance-use treatment; social work; dental and vision care; discharge planning; and reentry support.  

Given the high visibility of this initiative, we are seeking the highest caliber health care professionals in key clinical services to staff our Outposted Therapeutic Housing Units (OTxHU). To be located in three NYC Health + Hospital acute care facilities, the OTxHU is a pioneering approach to safely increasing access to high quality clinical care for patients in custody who have complicated health conditions. OTxHUs will bridge the gap in the continuum between care provided in the jails and inpatient hospitalization, with admission to and discharge from the OTxHU in accordance with a patient’s clinical needs. CHS will be the primary health care providers on these units and the NYC Department of Correction will provide security and custody management. 

The OTxHU at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue in Manhattan will be the first of this unique, groundbreaking project to open with a planned completion date as early as the end of 2024. This is an incredible opportunity to be part of a passionate and motivated team providing care to some of the City’s most marginalized, vulnerable people. 

*To help support continuity of operations and care, staff selected to work in the OTxHU may also be required to work in CHS locations within the jails.  Additionally, while CHS seeks the most qualified individuals for these positions, preference will be given to equally qualified, internal candidates.

Job Description

Position Overview

Under general supervision of the Deputy Chief Officer, assists with the planning, organizing, directing, coordinating and evaluating of nursing service and education programs in his/her/their facility. His/her/their job entails providing nursing care as well as administration and management within the facility.  He/she/they uses discretion and independent judgment in supervising and managing a team of licensed and/or unlicensed medical staff.  He/she/they works with the other team members who provide health care services to the patients to coordinate and manage the treatment process. Performs related work.

Responsibilities

• Assists in developing policies, objectives and standards of nursing service and education.
• Assists in the preparation of personnel, supply and equipment budgets.
• Assists in the development of administrative procedures and programs of patient care.
• May have responsibility for planning, organizing, directing, coordinating and evaluating the nursing service in a major clinical division, or a home health agency in a hospital, participating in selection, placement and follow-up of patients transferred to homes.
• Assists with the planning, organization and conduct of a nursing education program.
• Oversees the orientation of nursing staff assigned to the facility and participates in the provision of nursing education for staff that may require additional guidance.
• Conducts regular and annual staff performance reviews to ensure that standards of quality care are adhered to.
• Assume responsibility for planning, directing, coordinating and evaluating nursing service on the evening and night tours.
• Assigns the duties of the nursing team and helps them coordinate among themselves to provide proper patient medical care and attention.   
• Assume responsibility of line staff nurses when necessary 
• Prepares and makes periodic and daily reports on administrative matters relating to staff and patient management.
• Participates in the direction and implementation of a quality assurance program for nursing.
• Attends and/or chairs regular staff meetings with the nursing department and at the organizational level.
• Assess nursing services by making rounds, conducting chart review and evaluating patient care.
• Provides reports/recommendations as needed/required for the Assistant Director of Nursing concerning the operations of Nursing Services.
• On a monthly basis he/she or his/her designee schedules appropriate staffing levels within the facility for the provision of patient care.
• Assumes 24 hour on-call responsibility and/or provides facility coverage.
• Ensures nursing staff awareness and compliance with rules, regulations and protocols are followed and maintained.   
• Some may perform research to remain up to date on the latest developments of nursing care practices. 
• Investigates and reports on internal/external complaints or concerns and performs specials studies and investigations when indicated.

Departmental Preferences

• Ability to lead and manage nursing staff, delegate tasks, and maintain a positive work environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interacting with staff, patients, and other healthcare providers.
• Skills in training, mentoring, and developing nursing staff.
• Ability to maintain high degree of professionalism and courtesy especially when managing conflicts and deescalating challenging situations 
• Ability to adapt to new or changing circumstance, collaborate with team members, and work well under pressure.
• Ability to develop the ability of others to perform and contribute to the achievement of their goals consistent with the organization’s vision and mission.
• Ability to transform the care delivery model and environment to ensure the delivery of safe patient care that is evidence based.

Corporate title Qualifications 

• Licensed and currently registered to practice as a professional nurse in New York State, plus (2) or (3), below.
• Master’s Degree in Nursing Administration, Education, Clinical Specialty or equivalent field and five years of satisfactory nursing experience, of which three years shall have been in a supervisory or teaching capacity; or a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing and six years of satisfactory nursing experience, four years of which shall have been in a supervisory or teaching capacity.
• A satisfactory equivalent of education and experience. However, all candidates must be licensed and currently registered to practice as a Professional Nurse in New York State.

Minimum Qualifications

• Licensed and currently registered to practice as a professional nurse in New York State, plus (2) or (3), below.
• Masters Degree in Nursing Administration, Education, Clinical Specialty or equivalent field and five years of satisfactory nursing experience, of which three years shall have been in a supervisory or teaching capacity; or a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing and six years of satisfactory nursing experience, four years of which shall have been in a supervisory or teaching capacity.
• A satisfactory equivalent of education and experience. However, all candidates must be licensed and currently registered to practice as a Professional Nurse in New York State.

NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week
• Retirement Savings and Pension Plans
• Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
• Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees Collectively bargained contracts
• College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities
• Multiple employee discounts programs