Manager, McNair Unit (Acute Psychiatry Services)

In accordance with the established vision and values of the organization, the Manager, McNair Unit is accountable for ensuring excellence in the provision of patient-centered care within the defined clinical area. The Manager is responsible for providing leadership and direction for the operations, management, utilization, risk management, and quality improvement within the assigned portfolio. The Manager applies management theory and concepts to leading, staffing, monitoring, evaluating, and data-gathering including the development of relevant outcome measures pertinent to the clinical area. The Manager is accountable for efficient, effective utilization of approved physical, financial, and human resources; for guiding and coordinating activities of the area in accordance with professional standards; and supporting the goals and strategic direction of Interior Health (IH). 


TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Strategic/Leadership

  • Promotes the vision, mission, values, and strategic direction of Mental Health & Substance Use programs within the clinical area.
  • Identifies evolving internal and external factors impacting the strategic direction of the clinical area and revises program planning direction accordingly.
  • Establishes goals and objectives, service development priorities, clinical policies and procedures, and systems of care for the clinical area consistent with the vision and strategic directions of the program and the organization.
  • Develops services based on collaboration and coordination with professionals, consumers, families, providers, community groups, and advisory committees.
  • Focuses and prioritizes service delivery to ensure clients with high and complex care needs requiring specialized treatments and supports are receiving appropriate care.
  • Organizes, leads, and/or participates in inter-agency planning and coordination of committee activities.
  • Ensures coordination, seamless service delivery, and, when relevant, integrated practices across the clinical area.
  • Ensures effective communication with and among team members so that the team is aware and understands changes impacting the clinical area, the program, and the region and how those changes will impact delivery of services.
  • Ensures clinical program developments are benchmarked to the best practice standards and guidelines.
  • Promotes respect for individual worth, capability, and rights; accountability for clinical conduct and human relations; responsiveness to client and community need; excellence and evidence-based decision making; and innovation through creative design and delivery of services.

2. Operations

  • Leads service teams within the clinical area to promote quality patient care and enhance individual and/or overall staff morale through team building and coaching, multi-disciplinary problem solving, stress identification/management, and facilitating professional development and involvement in interdisciplinary teams.
  • Develops annual goals and objectives for the clinical area consistent with the approved strategic directions of the program and measures the extent to which annual service goals have been met.
  • Ensures the development of relevant team structures and processes to accomplish service goals and objectives.
  • Ensures budget resources are apportioned effectively by participating in budget planning and priority setting for the overall service. Develops a budget and resource allocation plan for the clinical area and takes corrective action for performance variance against the plan. Is accountable for the efficient operation of the clinical area, variance analysis, and related cost containment efforts.
  • Implements and communicates approved policies and procedures and aligns program area practices and systems accordingly.
  • Determines essential service levels during work stoppages by unionized staff and ensures strategic operational planning in relation to portfolio staffing needs.
  • Identifies service information needs and requirements including service specific indicators and benchmarks for quality improvement and utilization management activities.
  • Specifically, has operationally responsible for:
  • Preparing budget estimates and priorities which include allocation of resources such as capital, human resources, and operational budgets.
  • Exercising program budget control, variance analysis, and taking corrective action.
  • Preparing service delivery contracts and monitoring performance to ensure standards are being met.
  • Selecting, developing, evaluating, and terminating reporting staff.
  • Ensuring the implementation of an effective recruitment, performance review, and performance enhancement strategy for reporting staff.
  • Understanding and administering the Collective Agreement provisions and providing leadership in relation to Workplace Safety and Quality of Work-Life issues that impact service delivery.
  • Representing the employer in the preliminary stages of the grievance process.

 

3. Relationships

  • Communicates to the general public, other health professionals, and agencies the values and mandate of the clinical area.
  • Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with community agencies, professionals, care providers, and clients.
  • Promotes positive interactions between staff and members of the public and helps promote understanding/acceptance of those with serious mental illness. Through portfolio activities, helps raise mental health literacy in the community.
  • Collaborates and partners with identified leaders such as other service managers, patient representatives/advocates, professional practice leaders, practice leaders, program planners, and community agency representatives to ensure that service delivery within the portfolio is compatible with the Mental Health plan and performance expectations.
  • Represents the clinical area on internal and external leadership forums.
  • Maintains effective working relationships with clinical area physicians, managers, directors, staff, and clients raising concerns regarding service delivery. Consistently models honesty, integrity, and respect for the dignity and self-worth of others.

4. Quality/Utilization/Risk Management

  • Provides and/or ensures leadership within the interdisciplinary team with respect to the utilization of patient outcome data and performance indicators. The use of outcome data and indicators will apply to ongoing quality improvement activities as well as targeted improvement efforts.
  • Assists with the development and implementation of a comprehensive quality assurance and utilization management program for the clinical area.
  • Ensures the implementation of clinical pathways or practice guidelines.
  • Ensures that professional practice standards are established, monitored, and maintained and are directed towards the continuing improvement of quality of care provided.
  • Ensures that systems are in place for evaluating service delivery and clinical activity.
  • Sets priorities regarding quality improvement and utilization management activities and ensures linkages with strategic direction and annual operational plans.
  • Communicates QI/UM goals/objectives/targets to appropriate planners and stakeholders.
  • Ensures a process for reviewing and responding to client feedback and customer satisfaction.
  • Ensures due diligence with respect to risk management review evolves clinical processes to better recognize and manage risks; oversees unusual occurrence investigations and the implementation of immediate follow-up actions; develops a system for identifying unit and practice patterns and trends; and connects identified risk issues with timely and relevant staff education.
  • Provides regular reports on quality and risk management activities.

5. Teaching/Education/Research

  • Creates an environment that supports education, innovation, research, and the advancement of clinical practice at the unit level.
  • Promotes research-based program development and the implementation of evidence-based practice guidelines, when available.
  • Establishes links to professional practice groups and educational institutions.


6. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications


Education, Training, and Experience

  • A Master’s degree in a health-related discipline or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • A minimum of 4 years of progressive leadership experience in acute care psychiatry or outpatient mental health services. 
  • Experience in integrated multidisciplinary Mental Health/Psychiatry/Addiction programs is an asset.
  • Knowledge and/or experience in the areas of risk management, relevant legislation, research, quality improvement, utilization, staff scheduling, service contracts, computer applications, and/or budget management are definite assets.


LEADS Capabilities
Demonstrates all LEADS Capabilities, in particular:

  • Leads Self – self-awareness, demonstrates character
  • Engages Others – fosters the development of others, communicates effectively, builds effective teams
  • Achieves Results – sets direction, takes action to implement decisions, assesses & evaluates results
  • Develops Coalitions – builds partnerships & networks to create results, demonstrates a commitment to customers & service, navigates socio-political environments
  • System Transformation – demonstrates systems/critical thinking, strategically oriented to the future, champions & orchestrates change

Skills and Abilities

  • Demonstrated ability to guide individuals and groups while maintaining group cohesion, motivation, commitment, and effectiveness.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively introduce and manage change that is consistent with the vision, purpose, and operating principles of IH.
  • Demonstrated ability to plan, develop, implement, manage, and evaluate programs.
  • Excellent negotiation skills to relate effectively with clients, medical staff, and members of the interdisciplinary team.
  • Ability to define own continuing education needs and maintain competency through reading literature, management workshops, seminars, and available educational offerings.
  • Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.