NCH Director of Nursing Practice

About North Country Healthcare (NCH): 

North Country Healthcare is a non-profit affiliation of four medical facilities, Androscoggin Valley Hospital, North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency, Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital, and Weeks Medical Center, located in the White Mountains Region of New Hampshire. NCH includes numerous physicians and medical providers at multiple locations. This leading comprehensive healthcare network which employs hundreds of highly-trained individuals delivers integrated patient care through three community hospitals, specialty clinics, and home health and hospice services. NCH remains committed to the health and well-being of the communities we serve. As a leader in a management position this role emphasizes advancing High-Reliability Organization (HRO) principles, embedding a culture of safety, accountability, and consistent high performance. 

POSITION SUMMARY:  

The NCH Director of Nursing Practice provides strategic leadership, vision, and oversight of nursing practice across the North Country Healthcare affiliates: Weeks Medical Center (WMC), Androscoggin Valley Hospital (AVH), Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital (UCVH) and North Country Home Health and Hospice Agency (NCHHHA). The NCH Director of Nursing Practice fosters a culture of professional excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement, with a primary focus on enhancing nursing practice and patient care across the system. 

The NCH Director of Nursing Practice is responsible for leading the systemwide Nurse Practice Council, promoting shared governance, and driving the alignment of nursing standards and practices across all affiliates. This role emphasizes advancing High-Reliability Organization (HRO) principles, embedding a culture of safety, accountability, and consistent high performance in nursing practice. 

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS 

Education: 

• Master’s degree in nursing (MSN) or related field preferred, bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) or related field required. 

Certification: 

• Certification in Nursing Leadership or Administration (e.g., NE-BC, NEA-BC, FACHE)  

??Licensure:? 

• Current RN licensure in the state(s) of operation or eligibility for licensure. 

• Association* accredited course in Basic Life Support (BLS) (for clinical staff), or Heartsaver CPR AED (for nonclinical staff), and renewal on a regular basis, with up to a three-month grace period after the expiration date. 

Skills: 

• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills; experience with change management, conflict resolution, and team building. 

• In-depth knowledge of evidence-based nursing practice, regulatory requirements, HRO principles, and accreditation processes 

• 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. 

• Leadership and vision to drive strategic initiatives in nursing practice. 

• Ability to foster collaboration and teamwork across hospitals and disciplines. 

• Expertise in quality improvement, patient safety, and nursing excellence. 

• Strong communication skills to engage and inspire nursing staff and other stakeholders. 

• Commitment to continuous learning, innovation, and professional growth. 

• Proficiency in applying HRO principles to promote high reliability and safety in clinical settings. Top of Form 

• Strong mentorship skills, with the ability to guide and develop emerging nurse leaders. 

??Work Experience:? 

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive nursing leadership experience, preferably within a multi-hospital system or critical access hospitals. 

• Proven track record in leading nursing practice initiatives, quality improvement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  

Leadership & Strategic Oversight 

• Provide strategic direction and leadership to align inpatient and outpatient nursing practice across all NCH affiliates, ensuring a unified, consistent, and seamless approach to nursing care delivery. 

• Collaborate with NCHHHA leadership to ensure a collaborative and aligned medical partnership across the care continuum.  

• Collaborate with the NCH Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) and senior leadership to develop and implement system-wide nursing strategies that support organizational goals and priorities. 

• Provides direct supervision to nursing service lines based on organization needs. 

• Serve as a key advisor to the NCH CNO on issues related to nursing practice, quality, safety, and regulatory compliance. 

• Collaborates with the key stakeholders and contributes to system-wide strategic planning and decision-making. 

• Lead the Systemwide Nurse Practice Council, fostering shared governance, ensuring consistency in nursing practice, and aligning nursing standards across NCH affiliates. 

High-Reliability Organization (HRO) Focus 

• Lead initiatives that support the development of a High-Reliability Organization by embedding HRO principles, such as preoccupation with failure, reluctance to simplify, deference to expertise, commitment to resilience and sensitivity to operations, into daily nursing practices. 

• Promote a culture of safety and accountability, ensuring that all nursing staff are trained in and adhere to HRO practices that reduce variability, minimize errors, and improve patient outcomes. 

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to identify opportunities for improvement and implement best practices that enhance reliability and consistency in care delivery. 

• Utilize data-driven approaches to monitor performance and safety metrics, applying HRO strategies to address areas of risk and variability. 

Professional Practice & Quality Improvement 

• Establish, implement, and monitor standards of professional nursing practice in alignment with evidence-based guidelines, state and federal regulations, and accreditation requirements. 

• Lead system-wide initiatives to improve patient outcomes, enhance the quality of care, and promote patient safety. 

• Develop and implement policies and protocols to standardize care processes and improve nursing performance metrics across affiliates. 

• Drive quality improvement initiatives focused on patient safety, clinical excellence, and best practices in nursing care delivery. 

Clinical Excellence & Innovation 

• Foster a culture of clinical excellence by promoting evidence-based practices, continuous quality improvement, and the adoption of new technologies and innovations in patient care. 

• Oversee system-wide quality improvement programs related to nursing practice, including infection control, fall prevention, pressure injury reduction, and patient safety initiatives. 

• Partner with interdisciplinary teams to promote collaboration, improve patient outcomes, and integrate nursing care with other clinical services. 

Professional Development, Mentorship, & Nursing Leadership 

• Develop and implement programs for ongoing professional development, continuing education, and certification of nursing staff to promote clinical expertise and leadership skills. 

• Lead efforts in identifying, mentoring, and developing future nursing leaders by creating formal mentorship programs, leadership development pathways, and succession planning. Foster an environment that supports new nurse leaders in gaining confidence, decision-making skills, and leadership competencies. 

• Ensure the orientation, training, and mentorship of new nurses and nurse leaders, fostering a supportive learning environment across affiliates. 

• Collaborate with nursing schools and educational institutions to support academic partnerships, internships, and residency programs for nurses. 

Regulatory Compliance & Accreditation 

• Ensure compliance with all applicable healthcare regulations, standards, and accreditation requirements, including those from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and state boards of nursing. 

• Lead nursing-related accreditation activities and surveys, ensuring readiness and successful outcomes in regulatory reviews. 

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, regulations, and best practices in nursing and healthcare delivery. 

Operational Management & Resource Allocation 

• Collaborate with nurse leaders at the affiliates to ensure appropriate staffing, resource allocation, and budgeting for nursing services across the system. 

• Monitor nursing performance metrics, patient satisfaction scores, and other key indicators to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective action plans as needed. 

• Lead efforts to enhance nurse retention, engagement, and satisfaction by fostering a positive, supportive work environment. 

Collaboration & Communication 

• Serve as a liaison between nursing staff, hospital leadership, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure alignment in goals and strategies. 

• Represent the nursing department in system-wide committees, boards, and leadership meetings, ensuring the voice of nursing is heard in key decision-making processes. 

• Promote open communication and collaboration across the affiliates to share best practices and lessons learned. 

??NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

1. ?Performs additional duties as assigned. 

1. ?Adheres to facility Values, Service Excellence and Standards of Excellence.?