Chief Nurse Executive

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Brief Job Description:

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

The Chief Nurse Executive (CNE) performs highly advanced nursing work establishing policies and procedures for, and guiding, directing, and overseeing the daily operations and activities of the nursing programs and services for the State Hospital (SH) within the scope of practice attributed to the skills of a registered nurse at the SH. Leads in the design, development, and implementation of systems that evaluate and contribute to the quality of patient care. Performs tasks demonstrating involvement in furthering performance improvement and quality assessment initiatives between nursing and other professional disciplines. Seeks and utilizes suggestions to effectively streamline work efforts and minimize redundancy. Keeps Central Administration apprised of nursing services resource allocation and reallocation needs. Develops, implements, and oversees a high-quality system of care to patients using a multi-disciplinary approach. Directs operations to effectively achieve the vision and strategic, financial, and operational plans that have been developed for the hospital. Reviews medical records and patient assessments to determine compliance with policies and procedures, correctness of assessment, standards of care, and quality of service. Oversees implementation of quality assurance processes, including overseeing and evaluating progress of Corrective Action Plans (CAP) and Quality Improvement Plans (QIP) related to nursing services. Supervises and manages all nursing staff. Works under the minimal supervision of the Superintendent with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

• Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

• Leads in the design, development, and implementation of systems that evaluate and contribute to the quality of patient care. Performs tasks demonstrating involvement in furthering performance improvement and quality assessment initiatives between nursing and other professional disciplines. Assigns project teams of essential stakeholders to address improvement opportunities using the principles of continuous quality improvement and documents appropriately. Utilizing data, ensures a system of concurrent reporting of general patterns and trends of nursing care provided (e.g., 24-hour nursing report). Incorporates program-specific monitoring into ongoing performance improvement activities. Establishes vehicles to ensure readily available, accurate, and useable data, congruent with goals and objectives, and meets reporting responsibilities.

• Evaluates and oversees the continuous 24-hour-a-day coverage and timely availability of nursing staff to meet patient care needs. Establishes and evaluates a campus-based plan for nursing service delivery that identifies minimum staffing for all levels of personnel to ensure a safe environment capable of complying with all regulatory and professional standards (e.g., Texas Administrative Code, accrediting agencies, and the Nurse Practice Act). Seeks and utilizes suggestions to effectively streamline work efforts and minimize redundancy. Keeps Central Administration apprised of nursing services resource allocation and reallocation needs. Identifies opportunities for improved recruitment and retention efforts of qualified nursing personnel (e.g., participation in job fairs, school visits, advertising, addressing job satisfaction issues, review of all exit interviews, tracking of program specific turnover, etc.).

• Supervises and manages all nursing department staff. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, reviewing applications, interviewing candidates, selecting and hiring potential employees, scheduling and assigning workload, establishing performance measures, evaluating work performance, providing feedback and guidance, recommending staff development and training, recommending personnel and disciplinary actions, and scheduling and approving leave.

• Catalyst for the operation of campus-based nursing services and is responsible for the mutual achievement of patient-centered organizational goals. Leads, attends, and participates in key organizational meetings and disseminates information from meetings to appropriate staff; assesses unit operations; and evaluates the status of the hospital mission and nursing roles. Analyzes available data in relation to state hospital-wide nursing practices and activities to support decision making.

• Oversees implementation of quality assurance processes including overseeing and evaluating progress of Corrective Action Plans (CAP) and Quality Improvement Plans (QIP) related to nursing services. Reviews audit reports for citations and develops and implements a CAP to correct any citations. Reviews special investigations involving nursing staff where Abuse, Neglect and/or Exploitation (ANE) is asserted. Alerts leadership to safety/risk management issues and actively facilitates problem-solving strategies.

• Reviews medical records and patient assessments to determine compliance with policies and procedures, correctness of assessment, standards of care, and quality of service. Formulates, completes, and submits data regarding findings to the Superintendent following designated guidelines. Takes action to correct deficiencies. Oversees and conducts clinical reviews to ensure adequate clinical care is provided to patients when assigned. Evaluates the treatment plans developed by the RN Managers to ensure they accurately and definitively direct the implementation of all necessary care based upon the trend analysis of health care needs and/or assigns to the appropriate person.

• Develops, implements, and oversees a high-quality system of care to patients using a multi-disciplinary approach. Assists the Nurse Educator in providing clinical rotations for academic linkages with colleges, universities, and training programs. Participates in assigned committees, workgroups, and task forces as requested. Promotes positive working relationships with outside agencies (e.g., Provider Investigations (PI), Office of Inspector General (OIG)), other hospital departments, programs and divisions including ancillary/support services, (e.g., Pharmacy, Medical Staff, Information Management, Clinical Laboratories, Dietary, etc.). On an annual basis, utilizes a customer feedback questionnaire to help identify opportunities for improvement.

• Directs operations to effectively achieve the vision and strategic, financial, and operational plans that have been developed for the hospital. Maintains open channels of communication among nurses and nursing managers to enhance operational methods and provide optimal patient care within a medical facility. Creates and submits a variety of reports to Central Administration recapitulating problems, goals, and any pertinent developments influencing the operation of the hospital. Remains up-to-date with the latest information about products, equipment, and services relevant to the field of nursing and healthcare.

• Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include, but are not limited to, actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of state and federal laws and Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF-IID) rules, regulations, policy, and procedures related to State Hospitals, or ability to quickly gain that knowledge.

• Knowledge of Texas Nurse Practice Act, including the Texas Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations, and the role of nursing peer review in the provision of both professional nursing and vocational nursing.

• Knowledge of emergency procedures and emergency equipment, i.e., CPR., and the ability to assess and care for residents and/or staff members in emergency situations.

• Knowledge of nursing care standards, the Settlement Agreement, and the Healthcare Guidelines, or ability to quickly gain that knowledge.

• Skill in the care and treatment of patients and in the use of nursing treatment tools and equipment.

• Skill in analyzing problems, formulating and implementing plans of corrections, and successfully leading change as evidenced by positive outcomes.

• Skill in the use of computers, software, and an electronic health record system.

• Skill in time management and prioritization.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present ideas clearly and concisely in both written and oral communications.

• Skill in the care and treatment of residents.

• Strong interpersonal skills which promote teamwork.

• Ability to appropriately interact with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, with their family members, and with staff members.

• Ability to provide patient care and to prepare and maintain records.

• Ability to work independently and productively with all levels of staff.

• Must maintain current CPR certification. Must have strength and flexibility to safely perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

• Ability to interpret regulations and communicate them effectively both orally and in writing.

• Ability to analyze, assimilate, and integrate information in order to make nursing judgments about conditions and the acuity of conditions, to develop plans of care, and to evaluate outcomes of care.

• Ability to organize, coordinate, and evaluate nursing activities.

• Ability to instruct, train, oversee, and provide guidance to others.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements, or Certifications:

• Must possess a valid Texas driver license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date to drive a state vehicle. Applicants with an out-of-state driver license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.

• Licensed to practice as a registered nurse (RN) in the State of Texas (or state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact).

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Graduation with a Bachelors degree from an accredited University Nursing Program by the Texas State Board of Nurse Examiners (or a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact). Masters Degree is preferred.

• Experience with a psychiatric population and/or with severe and persistent mental illness.

• Five (5) years' experience in direct nursing practice as a practicing registered nurse in a recognized health agency, hospital, health-care facility, and/or clinical setting.

• Three (3) years’ experience as an administrative nurse with supervisory authority over other nurses.

• Experience working in a setting with other professional disciplines.

• Experience with computers and/or an electronic medical record.

Additional Information:

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

Waco Center for Youth is a psychiatric residential treatment facility that serves teenagers ages 13 through 17 with emotional difficulties and/or behavioral problems. Waco Center for Youth bases its treatment philosophy on the belief that both behavior change and an understanding of self and others are equally important in achieving significant long term success in treatment. The mission of Waco Center for Youth is “to give each youth a chance for change” by providing comprehensive psychiatric residential treatment services to emotionally disturbed adolescents of the state of Texas. The facility is operated by the Health and Human Services Commission and is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Facilities.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework.  Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.