State of Maryland

A Registered Nurse, Quality Improvement Psychiatric MDH36 is the full performance level of work developing, implementing and maintaining a quality improvement/quality assurance program for the nursing department in a 24-hour health facility.  Employees in this classification monitor and evaluate the quality of care given by all nursing and direct care staff and may be responsible for related functions, such as infection control, use review and risk management.  Employees in this classification may supervise support staff.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from the Director of Nursing or the Assistant Director of Nursing.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

Assesses the nursing department’s compliance with standards of practice and regulations and develops and implements a quality improvement program for monitoring the delivery of nursing care;

Assists in the design, development, implementation, evaluation and interpretation of the nursing department’s philosophy, objectives, standards, policies and practices;

Assists in developing new criteria for monitoring patient care;

Designs quality improvement studies using valid methodology; Identifies, consults with and reports patient care and personnel performance variances to Nursing Supervisors and develops quality improvement plans for individual units;

Reviews reports, departmental minutes, and committee to identify opportunities for improving nursing care and quality improvement areas that require follow-up action;

Evaluates the effectiveness of the follow-up system for monitoring improvements;

Identifies educational needs and assists Nursing In-service Department by developing and conducting educational programs on quality improvement topics;

Develops new forms and administrative reporting procedures as needed;

Acts as liaison with the facility quality improvement program to facilitate the flow of quality improvement information facility staff and administrators;

Coordinates, monitors and evaluates the Nursing Peer Review process in conjunction with the Director of Nursing or designee;

Represents nursing staff on facility, agency and statewide committees and task forces as assigned;

Prepares reports on quality improvement activities as designated by the quality improvement plan and as requested by Nursing Administration;

May supervise clerical or other support staff;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the principles, practices and theories of registered nursing process;

Knowledge of quality improvement theory, techniques and practices as it relates to nursing;

Knowledge of clinical practice and interdisciplinary collaboration;

Knowledge of the State and federal laws and regulations affecting nursing practice, such as Title XIX, OSHA and MOSHA;

Knowledge of regulations and requirements of accrediting organizations such as the Health Care Financing Administration, the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations, the Accreditation Council, State Licensing and Certification;

Knowledge of research methodology and statistical design; Skill in the analysis of health care delivery in an inpatient setting;

Skill in reviewing statistical data in order to track and analyze trends;

Ability to develop monitoring procedures, implement a plan of action and facilitate problem-solving processes;

Ability to collaborate with other medical disciplines;

Ability to design quality improvement studies using valid methodology;

Ability to communicate effectively with health department personnel as well as other community health, welfare and educational agencies;

Ability to establish effective working relationships with community health, welfare and educational agencies, patients and their families, and the general public.

Education:   A Bachelor’s degree in nursing or a health-related field from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Four years of experience as a Registered Nurse to include two years in the Psychiatric option. One year of experience in the Psychiatric option must have been in a supervisory, administrative, consultative or teaching capacity.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree in Nursing or a health-related field from an accredited college or university for two years of the required general experience.

2. Candidates may substitute two years of additional experience as a Registered Nurse in the Psychiatric option for the required education.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Nursing classifications or Nursing and Hospital Administration specialty codes in the Nursing field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.

1. Candidates for positions in this classification must possess a current license as a Registered Nurse from the Maryland Board of Nursing, 4140 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21215 or possess a current multi-state license in party states that candidates have declared as primary states of residence.

2. Employees in this classification may be required to successfully complete training and maintain current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies.  Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Professional Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Professional Service positions.  Some positions in Professional Service classifications may be designated as Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit E, Health Care Professionals classes. As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial, and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining