Associate Director, Nursing- Behavioral Health

Harlem Hospital Center has been a bedrock of the Harlem community since 1887. The hospital provides a wide range of medical, surgical, diagnostic, therapeutic and family support services to the residents of Central Harlem, West Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood. Harlem is the largest hospital in the area, capable of treating the most seriously ill. Harlem offers over 90 specialized ambulatory care services, including dentistry and oral surgery, behavioral health services, and community substance abuse treatment.

At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care services without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships with all persons.

• Adheres to dress code in accordance with hospital expectations.
• Completes all annual education requirements.
• Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
• Reports to work on time and as scheduled.
• Wears hospital  on duty.
• Maintains regulatory requirements, including all state, federal and local regulations.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner at all times.
• Complies with organizational policies and standards regarding ethical business practices.
• Promotes and communicates the mission, vision, values, ethics and goals of the organization.
• Participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement activities.
• Attends regular staff meetings and in-services.
• Promotes a positive and pleasant attitude conducive to the workplace, fostering customer service and advancing the hospital’s Mission, Vision and Values.
• Responds to concerns or inquiries from patients and family members either by telephone or face to face.
• Uses discretion when honoring special requests from patients and families.
• Collaborates with other leadership team members in planning and developing programs that improve patient care and employee performance.
• Monitors employee performance relative to patient care and nursing practice, compliance to policy/procedures, and the related documentation, narcotic count, code cart assessment, medication administration and documentation.
• Provides support, guidance and feedback to staff.
• Documents written anecdotes to the nurse manager or director related to feedback, appraisal of performance or corrective action.
• Facilitates staff participation in professional development and other activities offered during their shift.
• Identifies and communicates staff educational needs to the Education Director.
• Acts as a change agent with all nursing personnel.
• Ensures a safe work environment for patient care.
• Assists in the preparation and implementation of short and long‑term departmental goals.
• Maintains contemporary nursing knowledge through continued education.
• Promotes and ensures established safety and infection control procedures, intervening in unsafe situations.
• Supports and seeks guidance from the code of conduct when in doubt.
• Assists physicians and staff in admission criteria for assigning admission status to patients.
• Conducts frequent, purposeful rounds to assess departmental status.
• Assesses acuity of care across units and adjusts staffing as needed.
• Evaluates staffing plan to ensure adequate staffing to meet patient care needs.
• Collaborates with peers and Nurse Managers in developing strategies to improve the patient experience.
• Meets frequently with peers (nursing leaders/personnel) to:
  • Maintain open lines of communication.
  • Strategize resolutions to problems.
  • Review and analyze quality improvement data and monitor the effectiveness of action plans.
• Reviews the master staffing plan periodically for modification.
• Monitors customer service/patient satisfaction patterns.
• Develops and implements a staffing plan for shifts based on patient acuity, patient census and available staff.
• Serves as a resource to staff for solving clinical problems.
• Assists staff in utilizing staffing resources to meet patient care requirements and other professional responsibilities.
• Provides immediate follow‑up, documentation and communication of incidents to the appropriate…