Title: Assistant Director of Nursing
Department: Nursing
Prepared by: Department of Nursing
Effective date: Date reviewed:
Position's primary function and its relationship to the Institute as a whole: The
Assistant Director of Nursing has operational and functional responsibility for a group of patient care areas and/or special projects or initiatives. He/she assists the Vice
President, Nursing Services/CNO in executive-level management of resources, strategic planning and development of policies and procedures which ensure congruence with the mission and philosophy of the Institute.
Position reports to: Director of Patient Care Services
Position supervises:
NI’s/NII’s
OR Tech’s
HCA’s
CSA’s
Duties and Responsibilities:
A. Departmental Management
1. In collaboration with the Vice President, Nursing Services/CNO and Assistant Director
colleagues, formulates policies and procedures consistent with recognized standards
of professional practice and reflecting the intent of standards promulgated by the New
York State Department of Health and JCAHO.
2. Formulates goals, objectives, and action plans for the Department of Nursing, consistent with the goals and mission of the Institute.
3. Participates in development and maintenance of the Department master staffing plan, ensuring that there are sufficient appropriately qualified resources deployed to meet patient care needs for areas in his/her areas of responsibility.
4. Is actively involved in both the retention and recruitment of staff for the Nursing
Department.
5. Identifies system problems or inefficiencies, which may negatively affect patient care.
Identifies potential solutions, involving peers, and subordinates in the process.
6. Represents the Department of Nursing at Labor Management meetings and proceedings.
7. Assumes primary responsibility for projects or task groups as assigned, keeping colleagues informed of the progress toward desired outcome.
8. Furthers the mission of the Institute and encourages staff to be ambassadors for the
RPCI.
9. Ensures that there is adherence to patient confidentiality rules as defined in the HIPPA initiative. Is able to define own level of access for minimum necessary requirements.

10. Is involved in team dynamics activities. Participates in service enhancement initiatives that enhance patient care.
B. Divisional Management
1. Coaches and develops assigned nurse administrators, ensuring that unit/area nursing staff are providing quality nursing care that meets the specific needs of the patients in those areas.
2. Ensures fair and consistent application of policies and procedures for all staff members. Is available to management staff for questions/clarification.
3. Fosters effective communication by scheduling frequent meetings with subordinate staff. Makes frequent unit/area rounds, maintaining accessibility to direct patient care areas.
4. Ensures that employee performance problems or inappropriate behaviors are managed effectively through the counseling/progressive discipline process. Advises Nurse
Managers on the correct application of counseling activities and directly participates when appropriate. Initiates recommendations for discipline and/or termination.
5. Fosters independence and autonomy in all staff members in areas of responsibility.
Actively seeks those activities which promote/encourage independent thinking/problem solving behaviors.
6. Ensures that follow-up to patient complaints and occurrence reports is through and timely. Identifies system problems that may contribute to errors and monitors corrective actions to ensure effective resolution.
7. Ensures that unit/area continuous performance improvement initiatives are designed to measure and improve the quality of care delivered and are consistent with Institute priorities. Advises Nurse Administrators of the process of evaluating process and outcome activities.
8. Ensures performance improvement plans and reports are submitted in an accurate and timely manner.
9. Prepares unit/area budgets, including personnel, supplies, and capital equipment utilizing appropriate data to support requests.
10. Monitors unit/area expenditures and assists unit/area managers in justifying or corrective variances.
11. Actively participates in cost management initiatives, identifying areas of inefficiencies or waste that requires greater control. Provides suggestions for cost savings initiatives.
12. Ensures appropriate management of personnel resources, ensuring that sufficient numbers of qualified nursing staff are available while unnecessary overtime is avoided.
13. Collaborates with Nursing Staff Development Instructors to ensure that identified
learning needs of the nursing staff are promptly addressed and that orientees receive
the proper preparation to become independent practitioners.
14. Supervises Clinical Nursing Supervisors, ensuring adequate house coverage especially during off-hours and weekends.
15. Provides subordinates with timely, through and constructive feedback on performance.
16. Makes suggestions for areas that need improvement.
C. Interdepartmental Management
1. Develops and maintains close working relationships with physician colleagues and other health care providers in assigned areas. Collaborates with these individuals to set goals for the units/areas or develops action plans for patient care or system improvement.
2. Works collaboratively with other patient care and support departments, fostering a climate of open communication and mutual problem solving activities. Initiates and participates in joint quality improvement activities.
3. As assigned, represents the Department of Nursing on Institute or Medical Staff

committees.
4. Fosters a climate conducive to the application of clinical research. Actively collaborates with investigators in planning for the initiation of new protocols or studies, ensuring that sufficient resources are available to meet the needs of the patients.
5. Actively participates with others in the Institute in planning activities associated with design or implementation of renovation or new construction of patient care areas.
6. Serves as a Department of Nursing liaison to other Departments as requested in order to collaborate on projects and performance improvement.
D. Self Development/Professional Responsibilities
1. Assumes responsibility for continuing education and developmental needs.
Participates in relevant conferences and other professional activities to maintain clinical knowledge and management skills. Shares the information gleaned with peers and subordinates.
2. Contributes to the profession and represents the Institute by presenting papers, presentations or posters at intramural and extramural conferences.
3. Participates in professional organizations and community healthcare related organizations.
4. Assumes the role of preceptor/instructor for undergraduate or graduate nursing students upon request.
5. Serves as a positive, professional role model to the Department and the Institute.
6. Fosters positive public relations for the Department and Institute.
Minimum Qualifications:
License Requirement
License to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of New York
Education and experience
1. Master’s degree in nursing and four (4) years of full-time experience in a comprehensive cancer center or complex academic/research medical center including one (1) year experience in a supervisory, administrative, consultative, a managerial or executive capacity; or
2. Baccalaureate degree and six (6) years of full-time experience in a comprehensive cancer center or complex academic/research medical center including one (1) year experience in a supervisory, administrative, consultative, managerial or executive capacity.
Preferred Qualifications:
1. Master’s degree in nursing and 6 years of full-time experience in a comprehensive cancer center or complex academic/research medical center
2. including two (2) years experience in a supervisory, administrative or executive capacity.
Demonstrated abilities to integrate a health care team through positive interpersonal relationships, excellent communication skills, and problem solving behaviors.

3.
4.
5.
Demonstrated organizational ability and initiative to manage multiple complex projects and priorities.
Demonstrated abilities to control expenses, curtail costs while delivering a quality product.
Demonstrated leadership and management skills which facilitate conflict resolution and promote staff motivation and development.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
6.