Head of Nursing Services

SUMMARY:
Well known private hospital group requires an experienced Head of Nursing Services.  This position is based in Johannesburg West.

POSITION INFO:
Sets standards for GHG nursing services at group level, including ensuring compliance to relevant external regulatory bodies.
At Hospital level, performs and ensures the patients mental, physical and emotional health is maintained by performing tasks such as taking vital signs, assisting with the patients activities of daily living and hygiene needs including bathing, dressing and feeding.
May also assist with the housekeeping to ensure the patient remains in safe and quality conditions.
Manages patient records by participating in follow-up activities and tracking clients, scheduling appointments, and performing other related tasks such as printing, copy and filing patient records.

To establish and manage a world class Nursing Services function. This role is accountable for the planning, organising and leading of the Group Nursing Services function to ensure high quality patient care in accordance with all applicable legislation.
The incumbent develops and manages the Group’s Nursing Standards, Protocols and policies and ensures the consistent adherence thereof across all Hospital facilities.

Establish and manage the Nursing Services function across the Group
Develop and drive all Nursing Policies and Procedures across the Group and ensure adherence thereof through Nursing Services Managers at Hospital level
Ensure Group wide compliance to national legislation and Nursing Council standards regulations
Ensure and maintaining high standards of care for all patients
Develop and translate the overall Group Nursing Strategy by driving Operational targets and strategic objectives and ensure cascading to Nursing Services Managers in all Hospitals
Ensure good governance including the effective use of management systems to monitor compliance to business direction and policies

Prepare and manage reporting and relevant documentation
Prepare appropriate Nursing reporting to management forums and Committees as required
Prepare documents within scope of expertise and ensure that actions decided are implemented in a timeous manner
Ensure ongoing and timely management of all documentation and data in the relevant areas of expertise

Function as a Nursing subject matter expert
Provide consistent, high-quality advice and guidance to internal stakeholders
Analyse trends, anticipate issues and ensure contingency plans are in place; proactively recommend solutions to identified risks
Provide advice (and where necessary draft relevant documentation) regarding Standards, Policies and SOPs
Identify innovative ways to improve business practices, processes and synergies to increase efficiencies

Build working relationships across teams and functional lines to enhance work delivery, collaboration
Manage relationships with stakeholders (internal and external) to enable optimisation of the business value chain

Manage interfaces beyond the company with relevant bodies and structures regulating or driving best practice for Nursing Services
Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders to meet delivery outcomes, enable collaboration and knowledge sharing across the business
Manage stakeholder relationships and quality of service delivery to ensure successful overall business results
Balance interests of a variety of stakeholders, readjusting priorities to respond to pressing and changing demands

Manage a sub-function that builds people and ensures excellent patient and service delivery
Establish sourcing, recruiting, onboarding and retention standards for Nursing services and actively collaborate with HR to ensure consistent application of standards across all Hospitals
Embed people-focused management strategies and implement policies that maximise employee potential (training and development)
Coach and mentor subordinates to be effective performers and help them prepare themselves for both short and mid-term challenges and ensure the cascading to their direct reports

Monitor Costs and expenses
Comply with cost controls in order to achieve section budget
In collaboration with relevant stakeholders (Chief Medical Officer, Chief Operations Officer and Chief Financial Officer) develop an annual budget for Nursing Services
Identify and implement opportunities for cost reduction and to streamline processes
Escalate potential risks that may lead to increased costs or financial losses
Ensure relevant financial documentation (pertaining to Nursing Services) is maintained to support accurate record keeping and future requirements as per legislation
Participate in monitoring staffing and schedules and assist in ensuring staff nursing departments is adequately staffed

Establish reporting best practice for area of responsibility
Research, collate and present business intelligence to feed into management decisions and support business strategy
Ensure complete, timeous, and accurate reporting with appropriate levels of escalation to enable effective decision making
Review reports (i.e., Clinical Governance Dashboards, Staff Budgeting Report) and provide feedback and guidance to Hospital NSM

Deploy an integrated risk management, governance, and compliance framework throughout the business
Drive adherence to statutory standards, policies, and procedures within the business unit to ensure compliance at all times and take remedial action where necessary
Establish, implement, monitor and audit the key business processes and metrics
Apply and maintain the risk management framework for the function and enterprise

Minimum Qualification
Diploma in General Nursing or B Cur Degree
Post-Graduate Nursing Degree

Role Specific Knowledge
Nursing and Patient Care
Legislation, policies, procedures, and standards relevant to nursing
Knowledge in healthcare related quality management and improvement