DIRECTOR OF NURSING SERVICES 1 PSYCHIATRIC

JOB CATEGORY SUMMARY

A position in this category typically functions as a manager of an 
organizational unit; develops operational program, procedures 
and agency guidelines; determines that operations meet national, 
state or locl licensing compliance requirements; plans activities 
which have an impact on other organizational units; administers 
a quality assurance program; advises health care providers or 
facilities of methods of compliance with standards regarding 
delivery of services; settles disputes, conflicts or problems
regarding programs or services.

CHARACTERISTIC TASKS

NOTE:  The above Job Category Summary and following 
examples of work are for illustrative purposes only.  Any one position 
may not include all of the tasks listed, nor do the examples cover all 
of the duties which may be performed.

Determines organization goals and objectives, establishes policy, 
and allocates resources

Plans, organizes and assigns the work of the organizational unit 
and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the 
effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and 
disciplining of subordinates.

Develops operational programs and procedures.

Recommends policy on provision of services

Develops program or agency guidelines

Directs (coordinates) activities between or within agencies

Executes (enforces) federal, state, and local laws

Monitors programs for compliance, accreditation or 
quality assurance.

Interprets statistical information

Reads journals or other publications for the purpose of 
keeping abreast of developments in the field

Determines that operations meet national, state or local 
licensing compliance requirements

Plans in-service training

Estimates necessary quantity of time, costs, materials or 
personnel for the accomplishment of assignments or goals.

Evaluates the overall operation of the program or service

Writes notices, memoranda or news releases about policy 
changes, major events, or other information.

Investigate complaints

Writes policy statements

Monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of programs or services

Evaluates current or proposed legislation for impact on agency 
programs or services

Monitors delivery of services for compliance with 
contractual obligations.

Administers a quality assurance program

Plans activities which have an impact on other
organizational units

Investigates incidents of improper or incomplete reporting techniques

Implements emergency procedures during crisis situations

Writes statements of social impact

Provides technical advice to staff, peers or management

Exchanges information for continuity of care (shift to shift)

Advises health care providers or facilities of methods of 
compliance with standards regarding delivery of services

Informs appropriate staff of unusual problems or symptoms 
exhibited by clients

Confers with other professionals.

Settles disputes, conflicts or problems regarding 
program or services

Informs the responsible person or organization of difficulties, 
accomplishments, plans or goals

Addresses policy-making committees; for example, 
department heads, and division heads

Meets (as a member) with various policy-making boards, 
cademic councils, disciplinary boards, committees, or task forces

Mediates problems that cannot be resolved through other channels

Calms distraught individuals

Informs individuals of procedures necessary for completion 
of forms or applications

Consults with outside agencies or individuals about information 
necessary for job assignments

Reviews curriculum for appropriateness of course work

Counsels clients, families or client advocates

Provides for physical safety of clients

Conducts informal hearings

CHARACTERISTIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of basic descriptive statistics

Knowledge of procedures for transporting the sick and injured

Knowledge of educational programs relating to completion 
of degree or certification, registration or licensure in a 
particular medical or health profession

Knowledge of legal aspects of clinical documentation and decisions

Knowledge of techniques for checking vital signs

Knowledge of the principles of needs assessment

Knowledge of standard English grammar; for example, syntax, 
punctuation, verb agreement, or tense

Knowledge of group processing

Knowledge of physical limitations associated with geriatric clients

Knowledge of physical limitations associated with developmentally 
disabled clients

Knowledge of physical limitations associated with severely or 
profoundly mentally retarded clients

Knowledge of curriculum requirements for professional or 
paraprofessional licensing, certification or registration

Knowledge of procedures used to search for harmful objects 
or substances

Knowledge of procedures for investigating complaints

Knowledge of established safety procedures and guidelines

Knowledge of the principles and techniques of program monitoring

Knowledge of CPR

Knowledge of procedures to follow for crisis intervention

Knowledge of procedures for conducting informal hearings

Knowledge of the fundamentals of public speaking

Knowledge of training principles and techniques

Knowledge of techniques of interpersonal relations

Ability to recognize signs of clients¿ emotional instability or stress

Ability to lead clients in therapy groups

Ability to convey information in a written format

Ability to read and interpret laws, rules and regulations

Ability to comprehend, interpret and evaluate relevant information 
from various types of source materials

Ability to synthesize facts to reach logical conclusions

Ability to identify and resolve problems in the administration or 
coordination of programs plans or projects

Ability to establish goals and set priorities

Ability to interpret and apply pertinent laws, regulations, procedures, 
and policies applicable to the New Jersey Department of Human Services

Ability to interpret and apply pertinent laws, regulations, procedures, 
and policies applicable to the New Jersey Department of Health

Ability to follow oral orders, directions or plans

Ability to follow written orders, directions or plans

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with 
a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing

EXPERIENCE:

Seven (7) years of experience as a Registered Nurse.  
Three (3) years of the required experience shall be in a second-line 
supervisory capacity involving the care and treatment of psychiatric, 
geriatric or developmentally disabled patients.

NOTE:  Applicants who do not possess the Bachelors degree in 
Nursing must possess one (1) additional year of non-supervisory 
experience.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS OR REGISTRATIONS

Appointee will be required to possess a current professional license 
as a Registered Nurse valid in the State of New Jersey.

SUBSTITUTION:

A Master's Degree in Mental Health/Psychiatric Nursing, Nursing 
Education, Nursing Administration, or Health Services Administration 
may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

LICENSE:

Appointees will be required to possess a driver¿s license valid in 
New Jersey only if operation of a vehicle, rather than employee 
mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording 
and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand and communicate in English 
sufficiently to perform duties of this position.  American Sign Language 
or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they 
can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable 
accommodation.  If the accommodation cannot be made because it 
would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Occupational Group:  Medical/Health Services

Occupational Family:  Nursing

Level Title Code Title Reference Effective:  04/02/05

CODE:  29/&30 - 61586C - 07062501  (C)  N412