ED Director

Job Summary

Responsible for direction of patient care activities in the Emergency Department. Manages staff in the Emergency Department, provides management of operational and nursing activities. Consults with staff, physicians and the Nurse Executive on nursing opportunities and interpretation of hospital policies to ensure patient needs are met.

Demonstrates Competency in the Following Areas

Responsible for direction of the Emergency Department staff. Supports and empowers staff to embrace the mission and value statements of the hospital.
Ability to perform a head-to-toe assessment on all patients and reassessments as per policy. This includes pediatric, adolescent and geriatric patients and the general patient population.
Uses the triage process to ensure timely and appropriate care to patients. Accurately assigns triage categories.
Ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.
Ability to monitor hemodynamic status of patient and correctly interpret the results.
Maintains current knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on age of the patient and his/her clinical condition.
Follows the seven (7) medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.
Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide age appropriate care to the patients served. Able to interpret data about the patient’s status in order to identify each patient’s age specific needs and provide care needed by the patient group.
Formulates a teaching plan based on identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning; includes family in teaching, as appropriate.
Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and family. Functions as liaison between administration, patients, physicians and other healthcare providers.
Interacts professionally with patient/family and involves patient/family in the formation of the plan of care.
Demonstrates knowledge of cardiac monitoring, identifies dysrhythmias, and treats appropriately.
Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality.
Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly. Maintains department cleanliness and safety. Complies with ongoing departmental inspections of equipment and physical space. Makes recommendations regarding equipment utilization and needs.
Communicates appropriately and clearly to physicians, staff and administrative team.
Coordinates and directs patient care to ensure patients’ needs are met and hospital policy is followed.
Maintains adequate staff levels that meet unit requirements and state law.
Maintains records pertinent to staff and operation of the department. Prepares reports regarding Emergency Department services, i.e., utilization, performance improvement, service data, outcome data, and productivity.
Demonstrates an ability to be flexible, organized and function under stressful situations.
Maintains a good working relationship both within the department and with other departments.
Consults other departments, as appropriate, to collaborate in patient care and performance improvement activities.
Maintains performance improvement activities for department. Performs competency evaluations of all staff members.
Assures documentation meets current standards and policies.
Provides education to staff on performance improvement. Publishes PI and QI quarterly data to staff. Ability to plan and organize orientation and inservice training for department staff members; participates in guidance and educational programs.
Performs management activities including interviewing, hiring, evaluating, termination and departmental staffing and scheduling.
Trains staff, utilizing on-the-job training for nursing and other hospital staff, as well as departmental staff.
Studies current trends and developments in emergency nursing through current literature and professional society.
Maintains standards of professional society procedures and ethical behavior.

Professional Requirements

Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
Completes annual education requirements.
Maintains regulatory requirements, including all federal, state, local regulations and accrediting organization standards.
Maintains and ensures patient confidentiality at all times.
Reports to work on time and as scheduled.
Wears identification while on duty.
Attends annual review and performs departmental in-services.
Schedules and holds 11/12 unit department meetings per year and maintains minutes for staff review.
Works at maintaining a good rapport and a cooperative working relationship with physicians, departments and staff.
Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
Attends committee, and management meetings, as appropriate. Participates in Emergency Preparedness locally, the North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council, and Biotel.
Community outreach to local and community fire stations, nursing schools, etc.
Resolves staff concerns at the departmental level, utilizing the grievance process as required.
Effectively and consistently communicates administrative directive to staff and encourages interactive departmental meetings and discussions.
Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of the facility, as well as the focus statement of the department.
Has oversight of the Trauma Department. Trauma Coordinator and Trauma Registrar report to the Emergency Department Director.

Regulatory Requirements

Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited school of nursing, required, Master’s preferred.
Two (2) years experience in all aspects of emergency and/or critical care nursing.
One (1) year in Nursing leadership preferred.
Current RN license within the state of practice.
Current BCLS, ACLS, and PALS Certification.
TNCC and/or CCRN Certification.
Certification for Emergency Nursing (CEN) preferred.