Director of Nursing (RN)

Summary of Position

The Director of Nursing plays an integral role in the success of our team, our community and creating a place our residents are proud to call home. You will be responsible for providing unparalleled service to our residents. The primary purpose of this position is to plan, organize, develop, and direct the overall functions of the Nursing Services Department in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern our facility, and as may be directed by the Executive Director to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.

Essential Job Functions

• Plan, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct the nursing services department, as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the assisted living and/or long-term care facility.
• Develop, maintain, update, communicate, and enforce facility and state specific written policies and procedures that govern the daily functions of the nursing service department including the safety program.
• Maintain a current reference of written nursing material that will assist the nursing service department in meeting the day-to-day needs of the resident.
• Communicate service schedules with other services to ensure the continuity of the resident’s total regimen of care.
• Develop, oversee, implement and maintain an ongoing Continuous Quality Improvement and Quality Assurance program for the nursing services department.
• Recommend to the Executive Director the equipment needs of the department.
• Participate with the Executive Director to prepare and plan the department’s budget.

Nursing Care Functions

• Conduct the daily nursing functions in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long-term care facility.
• Ensure that all nursing personnel assigned to you comply with the written policies and procedures including the safety program.
• Admit, transfer, and discharge residents with documentation regarding care and service provided.
• Participate in the orientation of new residents/family members to the facility.
• Make rounds with health care provider to assess, communicate, and respond to their needs.
• Utilize nursing personnel qualifications according to the resident’s care plan, wishes, and health care provider orders.
• Complete daily clinical and environmental rounds to evaluate resident care being provided and report significant events.
• Meet and resolve issues with residents and/or family members. Report significant issues to the supervisor.
• Participate in facility surveys (inspections) as requested by management.
• May be responsible for clinical programs as directed, e.g. dementia, wound care, quality assurance, infection control, admissions.
• Perform other essential job-related duties as assigned.

Communication/Documentation Functions

• Complete an initial assessment and develop interim care plan.
• Update, review, and transcribe the care plan that identifies the goals, problems, approaches, and revisions based on nursing needs and new health care provider orders.
• Communicate with health care provider to review treatment plans, complete orders, progress notes, etc., in accordance with established policies.
• Review the resident’s medical record for specific treatments, medication orders, diets, labs etc., as for implementation and follow up.
• Requisition and arrange for diagnostic and therapeutic services, as ordered by the health care provider, and in accordance with our established procedures.
• Communicate the department’s policies and procedures to personnel, residents, and visitors.
• Communicate with written (24-hour report) and oral reports/recommendations concerning any changes in resident condition and other activities of your shift to nursing management.
• Complete and file assessments and all other medical record documentation as required to provide care services.
• Report all discrepancies noted concerning physician’s orders, diet change, charting error, etc.
• Complete clinically accurate documentation according to policy.
• Review the resident medical documentation and progress notes from the interdisciplinary team to determine if the care plan is being followed. Report any concerns to your supervisor.
• Inform nursing personnel of new admissions and the resident’s care needs. Ensure that rooms are ready for new admissions.
• Notify the resident’s attending health care practitioner and family when there is a change in the resident’s condition.
• Meet with your assigned support personnel (Housekeeping, Dining Services, Nursing Assistants, etc.) to plan the shift’s services, programs, and activities and monitor tasks are completed as directed.
• Coordinate services with other members of the disciplinary team (Housekeeping, Dining Services, Nursing, etc.) to ensure that the resident’s total regimen of care is maintained.
• Assist in arranging transportation for residents and other third-party services.

Medication Administration Functions

• Prepare and administer medications ordered by the health care provider.
• Ensure that an adequate supply of floor stock medications, supplies, and equipment is on hand to meet the nursing needs of the residents.
• Review medication administration record for completeness of information, accuracy in the transcription of the health care provider’s order.
• Dispose of drugs and narcotics as required, and in accordance with established procedures.

Personnel Functions

• Determine and adjust the staffing needs of the department necessary to meet the total nursing needs of the residents.
• Assist in the recruitment and selection of personnel.
• Develop work assignments, schedule duty hours, and assist and supervise staff to ensure that all personnel are performing their work assignments in accordance with acceptable standards.
• Assist in staff development. Formally and informally monitor performance of personnel and ensure adjustments/corrections are made by using coaching, counseling, and discipline methods.
• Work with the Executive Director to resolve staff performance issues including those that may lead to termination.
• Review complaints and grievances, complete investigations, and work with the Executive Director for a plan of action and resolution.
• Participate in developing, conducting, and scheduling of timely in-service and orientation training classes that meet state and federal requirements.

Safety and Sanitation

• Supply and make available protective equipment for staff.
• Maintain nursing service work areas (i.e., nurses' stations, medicine preparation rooms, etc.), resident rooms, and treatment areas in a clean and sanitary manner.
• Recommend to the Director of Nursing the equipment and supply needs of the nursing department. Ensure that a stock level of medications, medical supplies, equipment, etc., is maintained on the premise at all times to adequately meet the needs of the residents.
• Obtain and maintain material safety data sheets (MSDSs) for hazardous chemicals in the department. Ensure that containers of hazardous chemicals in the department are properly labeled and stored. Ensure that all personnel are trained to use labels and MSDSs to recognize hazards and to follow appropriate protective measures.

Knowledge and Critical Skills

• Be able to make independent decisions and follow instructions.
• Deal tactfully with personnel, prospects, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the public.
• Capable of working with ill, disabled, elderly, and emotionally upset people within the facility.
• Communicate effectively in a manner that is sufficient for effective communication with supervisors, team members, prospects, residents, and families.
• Knowledge/proficiency of Microsoft Office Suite.

Education and Experience

• Must meet all applicable state and federal requirements for this position.
• Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as an RN in state.
• Three or more years of experience in nursing in a home care, assisted living, or long-term care facility.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position does have direct reports and supervisory requirements.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Tasks assigned to this position may involve potential and/or direct exposure to blood, body fluids, infectious diseases, air contaminants, and hazardous chemicals.

Physical Requirements - The Physical activities of this position involve:

• Walk long distances
• Stand for extended periods of time
• Sustain repetitive movement (CPR compressions, bagging, etc.)
• Maintain physical tolerance (stand/walk/work on your feet for 8-12 hours at a time with minimal breaks)
• Be able to lift up to 50 pounds at times
• Be able to push and pull up to 50 pounds at times

Cognitive Requirements - The Cognitive activities with or without prosthetics of this position are:

• Executes tasks independently
• Ability to express yourself clearly and effectively
• General computer literacy

Environmental Requirements - An individual in this position may be exposed to:

Ambient room temperatures and lighting

Other Requirements -

• Ability to work nights and weekends, upon request.
• Must be able to work overtime as needed.
• May be responsible to work on an on-call basis.

Platinum Service ®

Platinum Service ® is characterized by a high level of responsiveness delivered in a competent, timely and caring way. Employees commit to providing courteous, responsive, and quality service to our residents by following the principles of our Platinum Service® program.

Conclusion

All employees are expected to follow all policies and procedures. These policies and procedures can be found in the employee handbook, department policy and procedure manuals and with your supervisor. This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time.

Acknowledgement

I understand this job description and its requirements, and that I am expected to complete all job-related duties as assigned. I understand the essential functions may be altered from time to time.

By signing below, I acknowledge I am able to perform the essential functions of this job with or without a reasonable accommodation. If I require a reasonable accommodation, I will inform the recruiter/hiring manager, my manager, or Human Resources and agree to participate in the interactive process to discuss possible accommodations.

cc: file, employee