Director of Nursing

Director ofNursing DON

General Purpose:

To manage the overall operations of the Nursing Departmentin accordance with Company policies, standards of nursing practices andgovernmental regulations to maintain excellent care of all residents’ needs.

Essential Job Functions:

This facility expects their employees to promote anatmosphere of teamwork with other employees and hospitality and comfort for itsresidents. Therefore, the following list of duties is not all-inclusive:

Administrative Functions

• Participate in facility surveys (inspections)made by authorized governmental agencies.
• In the absence of the Administrator andAssistant Administrator (if applicable), assume responsibility of the facility.
• Oversee the employee health program incooperation with the Medical Director and Staff Development Coordinator.
• Monitor the Level of Care Reports, DietaryConsultant Reports, and Pharmacy Consultant Reports and take appropriateactions.
• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate anddirect the nursing services department, as well as its programs and activities,in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern thelong-term care facility.
• Assume administrative authority, responsibilityand accountability for all functions, activities, and training of the nursingdepartment.
• Organize, develop, and direct the administrationand resident care of the nursing service department

Meeting Functions

• Participate in Department Supervisor Meetings,Resident Care Plan Meetings, Budget Committee Meetings, Safety CommitteeMeetings, Quality Assessment and Assurance Committee Meetings, In-serviceEducation, Family Council and any other meeting as directed by theAdministrator.
• Meet monthly with staff on each shift.
• Meet daily with Director ofAdmissions/Marketing, Business Office Manager, and Administrator regardingadmission and placement of proposed residents. Evaluate prospective residentsin terms of the nursing service they need and the capability of the facilitytosupply the needed service.
• Participate in coordination of resident servicesthrough departmental and appropriate staff committee meetings.
• Meet monthly with nursing staff regarding ChartAudit and Physician’s orders. Review audit with Medical Records prior tosubmitting to Administration.

Personnel Functions

• Interview, orient, train, evaluate and supervise nursing department personnel.
• Delegate to nursing service supervisorypersonnel the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountabilitynecessary to perform their assigned duties.
• Make daily rounds of the nursing department toverify that all nursing service personnel are performing their work assignmentsin accordance with acceptable nursing standards.
• Provide that departmental disciplinary action isadministered fairly and without regard to race, color, creed, national origin,age, sex, religion, disability, or marital status.
• Cooperate with the ADON to determine staffingrequirements based on current needs and State and Federal guidelines
• Provide appropriate departmental in-serviceeducation programs in compliance with Corporate, State and Federal guidelines.
• Work closely with Administrator in resolvinggrievances with nursing staff, family members, and residents.

Nursing Care Functions

• Perform nursing services and deliver residentcare services in compliance with corporate policies and State and Federalregulations.
• Inform state of any reportable incidents withinappropriate time frames. Complete investigative analysis as required.
• Inform nursing service personnel of newadmissions, their expected time of arrival, room assignment, etc.
• Greet newly admitted residents upon admission.Escort to room as necessary.
• Make rounds with physicians as necessary.Schedule physician visits as necessary.
• Schedule daily rounds to observe residents andto determine if nursing needs are being met in accordance with the resident’srequest.
• Monitor medication passes and treatmentschedules to verify that medications are being administered as ordered and thattreatments are provided as scheduled.
• Provide direct nursing care, as necessary.
• Regularly inspect the facility and nursingpractices for compliance with federal, state, and local standards andregulations.
• Study Infection Control Reports, MedicationIncident Reports and Resident Incident Reports for corrective action.
• Keep Administrator informed daily of nursingdepartment functions, recommending changes in techniques or procedures for amore efficient operation.
• Promote favorable working conditions andrelationships with administration, medical staff, consultants, otherdepartments, residents, family members, volunteers, agencies, and any otherindividual or group affiliated with the facility.
• Review discharge summaries on a timely basis.

Safety and Sanitation

• Monitor nursing service personnel to verify thatthey are following established safety regulations in the use of equipment andsupplies.
• Provide that all nursing service personnelfollow established departmental policies and procedures, including appropriatedress codes.
• Be on call for emergencies that supervisorypersonnel cannot handle.
• Assure proper handling and emergency care ofresidents, personnel, and visitors while on the job or in the building.
• Assure residents a comfortable, clean, orderlyand safe environment.
• Comply with, support and enforce Companypolicies involving all safety and infection control procedures to include theproper use of mechanical lifts and gait belts.

Equipment and Supply Functions

• Monitor stock level of medications, medicalsupplies, equipment, etc., to verify they are always maintained on premises toadequately meet the needs of the resident.
• Create and implement procedures for departmentequipment to be operated only by trained, authorized personnel in a safemanner.
• Develop and implement procedures for nursingsupplies to be used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.
• Work closely with Central Supply to be surechanges are made on a timely basis and that inventory is current andmedical-nursing supplies are adequate on the nursing stations.

Care Plan and Assessment Functions, Documentation

• Verify that medical and nursing care isadministered in accordance with the resident’s wishes, including theimplementation of advance directives.
• Assist with development of and approve finalversion of the Interdisciplinary Plan of Care for each resident in coordinationwith the physician, Medical Director, nursing staff, and outside
• consultants (i.e., nursing, dietary, pharmacy,therapists, etc.) and in accordance with corporate, state and federalguidelines.
• Confirm accurate completion of forms/reports forthe admission, transfer and/or discharge of each resident including, but notlimited to, the nursing portion of the PAE, Initial Nursing Assessment, MinimumData Set (MDS), Resident Care Plan, and the Annual MDS.
• Review and verify that documentation proceduresfor nursing are met according to corporate, state and federal guidelines.
• Review nurses notes to confirm that they areinformative and descriptive of the nursing care being provided, that theyreflect the resident’s response to the care, and that such care is provided inaccordance with the resident’s wishes.
• Review Quality Indicator reports and submit toVice President of Clinical Services monthly.

Budget and Planning Functions

• Assist in preparing and planning the nursingservice department’s budget and submit to the Administrator for his/her review,recommendations, and/or approval.
• Recommend to the Administrator the equipment andsupply needs of the nursing department.
• Be conscious of cost and attempt to providequality staff for the nursing department within budgetary constraints.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Registered nurse in good standing with requiredcurrent state license.
• Significant technical experience anddemonstrated leadership/management skills
• Minimum two (2) years experience ingeriatrics/long-term care.
• Restorative care philosophy, excellentprofessional skills (both assessment and hands-on), and good communication andorganizational skills
• Working knowledge of long-term care regulations
• Relate positively and favorably to residents,families, and government regulators, and to work cooperatively with otheremployees at all levels.
• Relate to and work with the ill, disabled,elderly, emotionally upset, and at times hostile people within the facility.
• Basic computer knowledge and ability to learncomputer software.
• Function independently, and have flexibility,personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents,personnel, and support agencies.
• Perform the essential job functions of this job,with or without reasonable accommodation