Chief Nurse

(Full-time)

This is a professional/position responsible for providing technical and professional guidance in the area of Disaster Health, Staff Health and Mental Health.  The Chief Nurse is responsible for planning; organizing, directing, coordinating, implementing and evaluating disaster health services operations.  All duties are under the general supervision of the Deputy Director of Emergency Services & Labor Partnerships.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Lead responsibility for recruitment, interviewing, screening and placement of volunteers for Disaster Health Services (DHS) Disaster Mental Health Services (DMHS), and the Medical Assistance Team (MAT) in the Cincinnati Region. With leadership volunteer support and assistance, organizes and supports the orientation, training, supervision and retention of all licensed health and mental health volunteers working in DHS, DMHS, or MAT.

The Chief Nurse provides support to clients affected by disasters as they work through the disaster recovery process.  This includes but is not limited to support to caseworkers and other department staff, replacing lost prescriptions, medical equipment, staffing shelters and other service delivery sites as requested by the Deputy Director of Emergency Services or his/her designee.  Participates, and provides by example, a strong philosophy and belief in teamwork, professional behavior, and service to others.

Coordinates with the Regional Medical Director on policy changes to be approved along with the support of Chapter Management. Serves as the chapter administrator for the DHS, DMHS, and MAT teams.   Facilitate volunteer participation in all areas of disaster preparedness and response. Assures 24-hour coverage of DHS and DMHS response utilizing volunteers on a scheduled basis.

Assist the chapter DSHR Administrator with the Health Services Staffing Activity, ensuring a safe workforce through the DSHR membership.

Assists in the development and maintenance of the regional response plan as related to the DHS and DMHS operational response to disaster. This includes maintaining current volunteer rosters and supplies (DHS shelter kits, shelter activity boxes, MAT MCI supplies). Serves on regional committees as requested.

Assists our Medical Partners in responding to a community public health emergency (e.g. pandemic).

Develops and maintains community partnerships with County Health Departments to facilitate coordination and planning regarding disaster preparedness and response.

Supports the Community Partners and local governments in relation to the region’s DHS, DMHS, and MAT response. This includes county public health departments and emergency management offices within the Region, including our Community Chapters, Tristate Medical Reserve Corps, and Cincinnati Public Schools.

Deploys on a national disaster assignment at minimum one time per year and progresses within the DSHR system to the Manager level or higher.

Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Supervises professional medical volunteers in accordance with chapter policies and procedures and works closely with casework staff, both paid and volunteer.

RELATIONSHIPS: Reports directly to the Deputy Director, Emergency Services and coordinates all activities with the Disaster Staffing Specialist.  Works cooperatively with Community Health and Education Services and Response and Labor Services, and deals broadly with other chapter staff.  Works cooperatively with other health related agencies, schools and the general public as appropriate.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Due to the emergency character of the Red Cross disaster responsibilities, there are times when all employees are expected to work other than their regularly scheduled hours until a normal schedule can be established. Depending upon the nature and scope of the disaster, employees may be required to perform duties separate and apart from their normal routine or to attend National assignments.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (B.S.N.) from an accredited school. Minimum two (2) years experience in the field of nursing and/or nursing administration and critical care nursing.

Strong skills in areas of written and verbal communications, interpersonal skills; Must be able to delegate, have a strong customer focus and work effectively with a diverse demographic population; Must be knowledgeable of Microsoft applications and data management software applications.

OTHER ABILITIES: Ability to serve in the Disaster Human Resources System and may attend National disaster assignments. Ability to work extended hours including evenings and weekends.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Send resumes to the American Red Cross, Attn: Human Resources Department, 2111 Dana Avenue, Cincinnati, OH  45207; FAX:  (513) 579-3016 Email: jobs@cincinnatiredcross.org for updated information about our positions, please visit:

www.cincinnatiredcross.org click on ABOUT click on CAREERS