Director of Nursing

Summary/Objective In keeping with our organization's goals, the primary purpose of the Director of Nursing is to plan, organize, develop, and direct the overall operation of our Nursing Department. Success in this position is measured by compliance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern the facility. Additionally, success is measured through patient quality outcomes, staff retention, and staff education/performance.

Job Duties

§ Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct the nursing department, as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the nursing care facilities

§ Maintain and periodically update written policies and procedures that govern the day-to-day functions of the nursing service department

§ Develop and implement a nursing service organization structure

§ Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the Administrator and Director of Nursing concerning the operation of the nursing department

§ Develop methods for coordination and communication of nursing services with other resident services to ensure the continuity of the residents' total regimen of care

§ Develop, implement, and maintain an ongoing quality assurance program for the nursing department

§ Participate in facility investigations and surveys by authorized government agencies as necessary or as directed

§ Assist the Quality Assessment & Assurance Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies

§ Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc., as necessary

§ Monitor the facility's QI, QM, and survey reports

§ Assist in developing plans of action to correct potential or identified problem areas

§ Assist in calculating the number of direct nursing care personnel on duty each shift and determine the staffing needs of the nursing service department necessary to meet the total nursing needs of the residents as well as report such information to ensure that accurate staffing information is achieved and communicated

§ Implement and maintain a quality of care program to include scheduling and facilitating a weekly quality of care meeting to review and coordinate care for resident's total care regimen

§ Assist the pharmaceutical services team in developing, maintaining, implementing, and periodically updating written policies and procedures for the administration, storage, and control of medications and supplies

§ Schedule, attend, and participate in developing the agenda for care plan meetings as necessary

§ Participate in regularly scheduled reviews of the discharge plans and make such plans available as required

§ Recommend the number and level of nursing personnel to be employed based on current census numbers and needs of the residents

§ Assist in the recruitment and selection of nursing department personnel and ensure personnel possess required licensure and requirements to work in the position

§ Develop, maintain, and periodically update the written procedure for ensuring that professional nursing personnel have valid and current licenses as required by this State

§ Ensure that staffing procedures include a sufficient number of licensed practical and/or registered nurses, certified nursing aides, and certified medication aides for each shift to ensure that quality care is maintained

§ Develop work assignments and schedule duty hours, and/or assist nursing staff in completing and performing such tasks

§ Delegate and train to nursing department personnel to achieve the duties and responsibilities of their positions, and to perform all necessary functions to maintain quality care for the residents

§ Assist in developing and executing performance evaluation schedules, criteria, and annual reviews for the nursing service personnel

§ Make daily rounds of the nursing department to ensure that employees are performing their work assignments in accordance with acceptable nursing standards

§ Monitor absenteeism to ensure that an adequate number of nursing care personnel are on duty at all times

§ Review complaints and grievances as assigned

§ Provide complaint/grievance reports to the Administrator as required or as may be necessary

§ Provide education to all staff relating to nursing processes, compliance, and quality care of the residents

§ Ensure that departmental disciplinary action is administered fairly and without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, religion, handicap, or marital status

§ Serve as the Infection Control Coordinator for the facility

§ Develop, maintain, and periodically update systems relating to infection control practices for residents and staff, including tracking vaccination and health-related test for staff member in accordance with applicable rules, regulations, and facility policies

§ Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents

§ Maintain an antibiotic stewardship program

§ Ensure that appropriate adverse personnel actions relative to employment criteria are reported to the State authorities as required

§ Oversee all nursing staff and perform duties of nursing department staff as required

§ Terminate employment of personnel when necessary, documenting and coordinating such actions with the HR Director and/or Administrator in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures

§ Ensure that departmental computer workstations left unattended are properly logged off or the password protected automatic screensaver activates within established facility policy guidelines

§ Ensure to refrain from disclosing assigned user ID code and password for accessing resident/facility information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the Administrator

§ Ensure not disclose resident protected health information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the Administrator

§ Report any known or suspected unauthorized attempt to access facility's information system

§ Ensure that departmental disciplinary action is administered fairly and without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, religion, handicap, or marital status

§ Terminate employment of personnel when necessary, documenting and coordinating such actions with the HR Director and/or Administrator in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures

§ Communicate and interact effectively with residents, visitors, families, staff, and supervisors

§ Attend and participate in departmental meetings and in-services as directed

§ Report all resident, staff, or other concerns to the appropriate department head

§ Report all incidents, accidents, unsafe situations, and concerns immediately

§ Maintain knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local rules and regulations relating to responsibilities

§ Ensure that responsibilities are performed consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local rules and regulations as well as facility policies and procedures

Supervisory Responsibility

As Director of Nursing Services, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties. In the absence of the Medical Director, you are charged with carrying out the resident care policies established by this facility.

Required Education and Experience

§ Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State

§ Bachelor's Degree in Nursing is preferred

§ 2 years' experience in a Supervisor role in healthcare, Long-Term Care experience preferred.

§ Minimum six (6) months experience in rehabilitative and restorative nursing practices preferred

§ Must be knowledgeable of reimbursement regulations and nursing practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines pertaining to nursing facility administration

Required Skills

§ Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action

§ Excellent written and verbal communication skills

§ Demonstrate leadership, organizational skills, and ability to maintain a positive and professional attitude

§ Ability to work well under pressure, meet deadlines, and handle multiple tasks simultaneously

§ Display attention to detail

§ Interact with residents, families, and the community in a professional manner

§ Ability to engage in active listening (giving full attention to those speaking), critical thinking (using logic and reasoning to identify strengths/weaknesses of alternative solutions), and active learning (understanding implications of new information during problem-solving situations)

§ Exceptional judgment and active foresight

§ Self-motivated and self-directed

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This position is within a healthcare facility that operates every day. Although this is generally a Monday through Friday position, there will be scheduled times of work on the weekends and holidays. Significant events can occur at any given time that require working. Ongoing direction and support may be necessary if systems are not properly implemented, continuously improved, and monitored.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

This position generally will require physical activity. It may at times require walking to various locations within a facility. This position routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers and may require some use of machinery consistent with the job duties.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position at times requires the ability to walk, sit, use hands, reach, climb, stoop, bend, kneel, twist, and lift as necessary.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for their job. Duties, responsibilities, and assignments may change at any time with or without notice.

Reasonable Accommodation

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.