Director of Clinical Services

My client located in southern Connecticut is seeking a dynamic healthcare leader to serve as Nurse Manager. For over 30 years, my client has provided the highest quality of oncology care to the community. Their commitment to medical excellence and teamwork is what motivates us to continually invest in the latest technology and attract the most talented team of healthcare professionals. See for yourself how they are advancing medical care and healthcare careers.

Oncology Services:

They are a highly experienced and committed team of professionals, the practice provides comprehensive programs that address the full range of preventive, therapeutic, and supportive needs, offering advanced medical treatments and latest treatment protocols.

Patients have access to 22 board certified hematology/oncology physicians, and five Advanced Practitioners. The Practice conducts ongoing clinical trials and research studies for a variety of cancers and treatments, coordinated by a full-time oncology research coordinator.

The Position:

The Nurse Manager will provide senior-level support and oversight for the clinical services. You will provide strategic and operational leadership to grow patient care, research, and education programs to drive performance excellence in each of those areas, and to help grow market share as a regional referral practice for cancer care services. The Nurse Manager will be responsible and accountable for the operational performance of chemotherapy infusion for a total of approximately 55 FTEs and an operating budget of approximately $40 million.

The Nurse Manager will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer.

Position Expectations:

During your first eighteen months, the Nurse Manager will be expected to:

• Establish a foundation of trust and credibility with administrative leaders and physicians. Establish a strong, positive leadership presence with all employees inclusive of Nurses and Medical Assistants.
• Develop an in-depth understanding of the oncology services environment in the community and Connecticut including competing providers, professional practice patterns, and referral relationships. 
• Identify any opportunities for near-term improvements in access, operational flow, referring physician, and patient satisfaction, and implement responsive actions. 
• Assess personnel, work with team members individually and collectively to establish their professional development plans and build an empowered, clinically competent cohesive team. 
• Manage daily clinical staffing operations at multi-site locations.
• Develop and begin execution of a strategic plan for clinical services in partnership with physicians and administrative leadership.

Objectives for the Nurse Manager beyond the eighteen months will include the following:  

• In accordance with the practice’s mission, vision, and goals, the Nurse Manager anticipates the future, examines the competitive environment, formulates strategic plans, and articulates the vision for oncology services. Communicates with the executive team and develops support within the organization for the implementation, growth, and service strategies for oncology. 
• Works closely with the physicians to build a trusting partnership in the development and pursuit of excellence. 
• Maintains an environment committed to the highest standards of quality care, patient safety, and customer service. Works with staff, management, and physicians to identify and implement innovative approaches to improving care. 
• Supports clinical quality initiatives under the direction of practice leadership. Collaborates with management, staff, and physicians to support performance improvement initiatives for oncology services, including the use of LEAN and Six Sigma methodologies and tools to improve quality and eliminate waste. Participates in Practice activities relating to compliance with regulatory and healthcare standards. 
• Models and promotes a strong customer service focus. 
• Promotes open and honest communication within his/her areas of responsibility while challenging all team members to achieve higher levels of performance and accountability. Supports a culture of professional growth, mentoring, and advancement with ongoing succession planning. 
• Collaborates with human resources to implement strategies focused on the recruitment, retention, and growth of a well-qualified workforce. Makes final decisions on the hiring of personnel. 
• Builds and maintains a strong, cohesive, and high-performing team for his/her areas of responsibility. Interviews, hires, orients, coaches, evaluates and disciplines employees, holding them responsible and accountable for the performance of their departments. 
• Participates in internal and external committees, task forces, etc., as appropriate.

The ideal candidate is an energetic, entrepreneurial, and highly motivated healthcare leader. He/she will have a strong commitment to quality and service excellence, and will have a strong operational focus, a bias for action, and is results-orientated.

The ideal candidate possesses:

• Bachelors Degree in Nursing (B.S.N.) required. Master’s degree in business, healthcare management, or related area strongly preferred. 
• Five to seven years’ experience managing within a complex healthcare environment. 
• Solid track record of success in establishing positive, effective physician relationships. 
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the effective presentation of data. 
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiations skills to work effectively with key stakeholders. 
• Knowledge of billing/payment regulations.
• Knowledge of government, legal and regulatory provisions related to collection activities.
• Knowledge of government programs, i.e., Medicare and Medicaid.
• Knowledge of insurance company’s policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of CPT, ICD-9, HCPCS coding. 

Please contact me directly to discuss the opportunity in detail.