NCH Director of Emergency Services

Job Title: NCH Director of Emergency Services 

Location: North Country Healthcare (NCH) 

Department: Nursing  

Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt  

Reports To: NCH Chief Nursing Officer 

Position Overview: 

The NCH Director of Emergency Services will be responsible for the strategic planning, implementation, and oversight of emergency services across NCH affiliate hospitals; Androscoggin Valley Hospital (AVH), Weeks Medical Center (WMC), and Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital (UCVH). This includes directing operations, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and improving quality of care and patient outcomes. The director will work closely with clinical leadership, hospital staff, and senior executives to foster a culture of excellence and continuous improvement on the journey to high reliability. 

Key Responsibilities: 

1. Leadership and Oversight: 

• Lead and direct the emergency services across multiple facilities within the healthcare system. 

• Collaborate with other department leads to ensure seamless patient care transitions and coordinated services across the continuum of care. 

• Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, and patient-centered care. 

1. Operational Management: 

• Develop, implement, and evaluate policies and procedures that promote efficient, high-quality inpatient care as well as standardization across hospital affiliates. 

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the emergency departments, including patient flow, bed management, and staffing levels. 

• Oversee the implementation of electronic health records (EHR) and other technology systems that enhance patient care. 

• Coordinate and oversee emergency preparedness efforts across the healthcare system 

1. Quality and Patient Safety: 

• Ensure compliance with healthcare regulations, accreditation standards, and quality improvement initiatives. 

• Leads the affiliate hospitals toward high reliability, keeping the five principles at the forefront of decision-making: sensitivity to operations, preoccupation with failure, reluctance to simplify, resilience, and deference to expertise.   

• Lead efforts to monitor and improve patient outcomes, safety, and satisfaction. 

• Coordinate with quality improvement teams to address clinical issues and identify opportunities for process improvement. 

1. Budgeting and Financial Management: 

• Develop and manage budgets for emergency services, ensuring cost-effective and resource-efficient operations. 

• Monitor departmental financial performance, identifying areas for cost savings and revenue generation. 

• Ensure financial accountability and the alignment of emergency services with organizational financial goals. 

1. Staffing and Development: 

• Collaborate with Human Resources on recruitment, retention, and development initiatives for emergency department staff, including nurses, physicians, and support staff. 

• Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities for managers and staff. 

• Evaluate staffing needs and ensure the appropriate allocation of resources to meet patient care demands. 

1. Strategic Planning and Growth: 

• Contribute to the development and execution of the organization’s strategic plan, particularly as it relates to emergency services. 

• Identify opportunities for service line growth and expansion, ensuring that new programs align with organizational goals. 

• Monitor industry trends and make recommendations for programmatic changes or innovations. 

1. Regulatory Compliance: 

• Stay current with local, state, and federal healthcare regulations, ensuring that emergency services comply with all applicable laws and standards. 

• Coordinate accreditation surveys and regulatory inspections, ensuring that all necessary documentation and processes are in place. 

1. Collaboration and Communication: 

• Serve as a liaison between emergency services and other hospital departments, fostering collaboration and open communication. 

• Regularly report on the status of emergency services to senior leadership and other stakeholders. 

• Communicate effectively with patients and their families, addressing concerns and providing updates on care and treatment plans. 

Qualifications: 

• Education: 

• A bachelor’s degree in nursing is required, a master’s degree in nursing, healthcare administration, or a related field is preferred but not required. 

• Experience: 

• A minimum of 5 years experience in emergency nursing, with at least 2 years of leadership experience in emergency services or hospital administration is required. 

• Licensing/Certifications: 

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license required. 

Skills: 

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead cross-functional teams. 

• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills. 

• Solid understanding of healthcare regulations, patient safety standards, and quality improvement practices. 

• Financial acumen, with experience managing budgets and resources effectively. 

• Ability to think strategically and drive change in a complex, multi-facility environment. 

• Experience with electronic health records (EHR) and healthcare management software. 

Working Conditions: 

• Full-time position with a standard office environment. 

• Requires frequent travel between multiple healthcare facilities. 

• May require availability after hours or on weekends for urgent operational matters.