Director of Nursing

Job Description

Job Description

The Director of Nursing (DON) requires the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently; prioritize tasks / meet deadlines; Maintain complete and accurate personnel, and facility records; Communicate and understand policies accurately; and support the facility operations with accountability and professional demeanor.

Exhibits a sound clinical knowledge base, leadership skills, understanding of compliance with regulatory guidelines, and the ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships across the organization.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (may include but are not limited to):

The primary purpose of the role of Director of Nursing is to ensure patient safety, quality care, and safe effective efficient clinical operations. The Director of Nursing will oversee the daily operations of the facility under the direction of the Clinical Director, the leadership team and Governing Body. The operations oversight will include, but is not limited to: supervision of staff, adherence to regulatory guidelines and rules; review and revision of policy and procedures; oversight of the Infection Control program, the QAPI program, the Risk Management program, the Safety Program, and Emergency preparation and readiness including life safety and the Emergency Management Plan; documentation compliance; medication safety; staff training, education, and credentialing. 

• Demonstrates initiative and ability to respond to and provide direction to patients, physicians, staff, and visitors in a professional manner in all situations including crises and emergency situations.
• Ensures all center deadlines are met for all facility clinical operations and functions; maintains facility clinical reporting data as appropriate.
• Ensures appropriate patient emergency readiness, to include safe staffing patterns and management of training, equipment, and supplies to support effective response. 
• Employees and supervises qualified personnel:
  • Facilitates the employment of qualified personnel to carry out the care and objectives in the facility. Enforces policies that support job functions and staff responsibilities.
  • Provides staff development by communicating center goals and facilitating educational activities. Ensure all staff are trained effectively within 30 days of hire and annually thereafter.
  • Ensures that all staff are trained in monitoring and reporting adverse events.
  • Provides support and direction for staff during crisis or emergency situations.
  • Evaluates staff performance including competency review and provides counseling, when necessary, with the assistance of the leadership team.
  • Monitors productivity of the employees and efficiency and safety of the facility overall through performance and benchmarking indicators.
  • Holds subordinates accountable for responsibilities inherent to their position.
  • Handles or assists with disciplinary action as required and documents accordingly.
  • Ensures compliance with OSHA regulations to support staff safety.
• Actively participates in the Quality Improvement program. Oversee the implementation of QI studies and monitors as needed. Utilizes findings to enhance quality of patient care and/or to improve facility efficiency, including linkage between risk management, process improvement and quality indicators to support ongoing quality improvement and risk mitigation. 
• Manages Risk Management activities including Peer Review processes, incident reporting and investigation. Performs root cause analysis on adverse events in conjunction with the leadership team as needed.
• Promotes a culture of safety within the facility. 
• Reports significant information to the Medical Director, leadership team and Governing Board regarding indicators affecting the operational status of the facility.
• Investigates and resolves patient, visitor, vendor, employee, or physician complaints or concerns and reports to higher authority as appropriate.
• Holds regular staff meetings to communicate information to the employees of the facility.
• Ensures compliance with Federal, State, OSHA, HIPAA, accrediting body and all other appropriate regulations and guidelines applicable to the facility and ensures consistent audit readiness. 
• Responds appropriately to external inquiries to include, but not limited to, regulatory and legal requests for information and response.
• Performs other duties as needed to ensure the safety of all patients as well as the efficient operation of the facility.