System Director, Nursing Education

System Director- Nursing Education – Atlantic Health

As a critical member of Atlantic Health’s system nursing leadership team, the System Director of Nursing Education reports directly to the System Chief Nursing Executive and will be a member of the System Nursing Executive Council.

Accountable to the nursing education strategic plan development, execution and nursing education program outcomes across the health system; plans, develops, directs and evaluates educational programs for Nursing.  Responsibilities are achieved through strategic goal establishment, facilitating nursing orientation, staff development activities and continuing education based on quality improvement reports and needs assessments, skills training and research and collaboration across the health system.  Develops, maintains and coordinates academic practice partnerships.

The System Director Nursing Education will be a visionary leader, participating in the execution of nursing integration and implementation of the system nursing strategic plan, partnering with senior leadership, physician leaders, and leaders across Atlantic Health fostering a practice environment that is patient centered, with unsurpassed clinical quality and patient safety and patient experience.

Responsibilities:

• Plans, coordinates, directs and evaluates effectiveness of staff development activities for Nursing personnel; collaborates with Site Director of Nursing Education in managing activities of department of Nursing Education.

• Plans educational programs based on needs assessments and performance improvement/nursing peer review cases to correct deficiencies affecting patient care.

• Develops and directs a competency assessment program for Nursing personnel, including programs for upgrading competencies and keeping knowledge, skills and practice current.

• Plans, organizes, coordinates and participates in standardized orientation programs for all Nursing personnel.

• Develop and implements special programs and projects to meet needs and goals of organization.

• Oversees e-learning system and web-based clinical procedures system, accountable for oversite of staff attendance and participation in educational programs.

• Collaborates with Chief Nursing Officers and Site Directors of Nursing Education to ensure that standards set by regulatory agencies are met and that mandatory educational programs fulfill regulatory agency requirements.

• Coordinates educational offerings (workshops/conferences) for the Division of Nursing

• Develops annual budget for the department; manages budget throughout the year, analyzing and monitoring monthly reports to ensure department operates within budget guidelines.

• Identifies needs and recommends changes for more efficient delivery of patient care/educational programs; serves as resource person for the identification of educational needs and opportunities in professional practice.

• Acts as liaison between Nursing and other disciplines regarding continuing education activities and need for programs.

• Manages conference and tuition programs for Nursing

• Collaborates with company representatives regarding the evaluation, in-service and implementation of new products.

• Provides oversight to the activities of affiliated colleges and universities.

• Effectively educates on the utilization of the electronic medical record as it pertains to job responsibilities and in accordance with hospital policy.

• Programs: Provides support for and/or leads initiatives to achieve and/or maintain Magnet or Pathway to Excellence (PTE) Programs.

• Seeks and submits for grant opportunities that will support the evolution of Nursing Education.

Work Experience: 

• Senior-level experience within high-performing organizations.
• A clinical operations-oriented leader with strong financial acumen.
• Proven ability to lead in a complex matrixed healthcare organization in an acute care setting with a large ambulatory network.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully advocating and representing nursing at the senior administration level.
• A track record of effectively partnering and communicating with physicians; one who enjoys collaborating with physicians and is viewed as a champion for patient quality and clinical excellence.
• Proven hands-on success in leading challenging projects to successful completion.
• Demonstrated ability to hold teams accountable, work collaboratively and effectively with a wide variety of professionals to achieve strong bottom-line profitability of the organization.
• A track record of success working in an environment that values independent thinking, collaboration, transparency, mutual respect, and a shared passion for excellence and innovation.
• One who is patient-oriented and has passion and empathy.
• A history of developing and mentoring strong, cohesive leadership teams that drive excellence.
• A track record of success in creating a working environment in which morale is high, and team members feel valued and find joy and meaning in their work.
• Knowledge of Lean principals and techniques.
• A proven track of coaching and mentoring aspiring nurse educators.

• Required to have a graduate degree. Doctorate highly preferred.  If graduate degree not in nursing, a bachelor’s or a doctorate in nursing is required.
• Certification in Nursing Leadership is highly preferred.
• An advanced level of knowledge acquired through completion of formal and continuing education in Nursing Education, regulatory compliance, process redesign and leadership are essential.
• Extensive clinical nursing and leadership experience with a minimum of seven (7) years in nursing leadership, prior system nursing experience preferred.
• Knowledge and experience in Magnet principles is required, prior experience in Magnet preferred.
• Experience in complex matrix organization 
• Experience in tertiary medical center teaching facility with programs that include Cardiac Surgery, Level 1 trauma, etc.