Chief Nursing Officer

Join the VitalCore Team in Massachusetts! We’re people who are fueled by passion, not by profit.

VitalCore Health Strategies (VCHS), an industry leader in Correctional Health Care has an opening for a Chief Nursing Officer at our regional office in Hopkington, MA!

At VitalCore we pride ourselves on retaining and acquiring hardworking compassionate, dedicated individuals who are committed to providing quality services. Join our team and experience first-hand how VitalCore Health Strategies promotes a positive work environment that is based on respect and appreciation of the hard work and dedication of our staff.

CNO BENEFITS PACKAGE:

• Holiday Pay: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Health Savings Account
• Life Insurance
• Short Term/Long Term Disability
• Identity Theft Protection
• Employee Assistance Program and Discount Center
• 401K & Plan Matching
• PTO
• Annual Incentive Bonus

CNO POSITION SUMMARY

The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) is responsible for the delivery of patient care that promotes safety and well-being of all patients in the state’s correctional facilities on a 24-hour basis. The

plans, directs, coordinates, and evaluates the overall clinical nursing practice and administrative activities including material and human resource management. The

participates in the development and implementation of VitalCore Health Strategies policies and procedures. They maintain open communication with all staff to promote improvement in performance and assumes the role of the Site DON as needed.

CNO MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Graduate of an Accredited Nursing School required. Bachelor or Master’s Degree in nursing preferred.
• Licensed to practice nursing in the State, board-certified or board-eligible in medicine and has training and experience providing services to an adult population.
• Specialty certification in correctional healthcare is desired (Certified Correctional Health Professional: CCHP, Certified Correctional Health Professional Nurse: CCHP-RN).
• Minimum of 3 years of clinical experience in a healthcare setting, with correctional healthcare experience is preferred.
• Previous clinical operations management experience is preferred; previous direct management experience within a correctional health setting is desired.
• Knowledge of accreditation standards (NCCHC, ACA & state-specific) as well as experience with quality improvement programs and clinical auditing is preferred.

CNO ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Plans the delivery of comprehensive nursing care within the framework established by the corrections system and contacts/agreements.
• Organizes the delivery of nursing care within the corrections environment to achieve quality and efficient utilization of resources.
• Interprets regulations and standards and communicates nursing philosophy and objectives to nursing staff.
• Provides guidance and direction to the region/state regarding state licensure, accreditation and regulatory agency requirements.
• Verifies required annual licensures and credentialing requirements for the nursing personnel of the region.
• Develops, maintains, and evaluates an environment that empowers and supports the nurse in analysis of assessment data to determine relevant problems and diagnosis.
• Implements Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement for nursing services.
• Participates in multidisciplinary, multi-agency teams to represent the nursing function in all planning that may affect nursing work at the delivery level.
• Contributes operational, end user perspective to the creation and modification of applications and systems.
• Conducts meetings with nursing staff and other members of the healthcare teams to promote goal accomplishment, policy compliance, and professional development.
• Monitors and makes recommendations to Statewide and Regional Management regarding nursing support and staff to meet patient and contract needs.
• Organizes the delivery of nursing care within the corrections environment to achieve quality and efficient utilization of resources.
• Performs screening interviews with candidates for basic knowledge, skills within the corrections environment. Sets and communicates recruitment standards and takes accountability for recruiting effectiveness and compliance across their area of responsibility. Participates in the selection process for open site positions. Identifies high potential staff for development, promotion and succession opportunities.
• Performs at hire and annual clinical competency assessments and checks to promote the delivery of safe, effective and efficient nursing care. To promote goal accomplishment (site and individual level), policy compliance and professional development, schedules at minimum monthly one on one meeting with direct reports. Provides developmental mentoring, formalized feedback, and coaching to staff. When appropriate, develops individual performance improvement plans for staff not meeting performance expectations.
• Coordinates and monitors orientation and onboarding activities of new hires and staff that have moved into a different role. Performs an on-going assessment of staff learning needs and facilitates in-service and continuing education for nursing and ancillary personnel to promote professional development and enhance performance.
• Interprets regulations and standards and communicates site and unit performance objectives to staff. Provides guidance and direction on state licensure, accreditation and regulatory agency requirements. Ensures nursing practice conforms to state licensure, accreditation and regulatory agency requirements in the clinical setting. Verifies required annual licensures and credentialing requirements for licensed personnel are met. Knows and ensures compliance with licensure requirements.
• Develops a monthly schedule for nursing staff and nursing support staff to ensure a sufficient number of nursing staff are scheduled on each shift with the appropriate skill level. Monitors and makes recommendations to site and regional leadership regarding nursing support and staff to meet patient and contract needs.
• Conducts at minimum monthly staff meetings in collaboration with site leadership. Assists site leadership with the development and maintenance of annual operational and clinical performance plans under the direction of regional operational management.
• Acts as a liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials. Ensures nursing records are correctly maintained.
• Participates in Pharmacy, Therapeutic, and Strategic Initiatives, Patient Safety/Sentinel Event Committee, Performance Improvement, Electronic Medical Records (EMR), Utilization Management and other process improvement committees/initiatives as directed or assigned.
• Supports Company Initiatives and the application of best practices in the clinical settings. Assists in completion of special projects on an as needed basis. Works with others to determine where resource support should be allocated on a prioritization basis. Participates in the monthly Regional DON calls, initiatives and activities. Performs other duties as assigned.
• Attend training and meetings as required.

VitalCore Health Strategies is an equal opportunity employer and committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive workplace in which all employees have an opportunity to participate and contribute to the success of the business and are valued for their skills, experience, and unique perspectives.