Director of Nursing

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary:
The Director of Nursing assumes authority, responsibility, and accountability for the delivery of nursing services in the facility. In collaboration with facility Administration, allocates department resources in an efficient and economic manner to enable each resident to attain or maintain the highest practical physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being. Collaborates with other departments, medical professionals, consultants, and organizations, including government agencies and advocacy groups, to develop, support and coordinate resident care, related administrative functions, and to represent the interests of the facility.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for ensuring proper Policies, Procedures, and Protocols for care are in place to include the entire nursing process (assessment, plan, implementation, and follow up) for use of antibiotics in the care of the residents. The role of the DON includes adequate education and monitoring to ensure the process is implemented, communication, evidence-based standards of practice vs perceptions, and expectations of staff in their respective roles.

• Develops, maintains, and implements nursing policies and procedures that conform to current standards of nursing practice, facility philosophy, and operational policies while maintaining compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.

• Communicates and interprets policies and procedures to nursing staff, and monitors staff practices and implementation.

• Participates in all admission decisions and may visit prospective residents before admission to assess overall health status.

• Participates in daily or weekly management team meetings to discuss resident status, census changes, personnel, or resident complaints or concerns.

• Evaluates the work performance of all nursing personnel, assists in the determination of wage increases, and implements discipline according to operational policies.

• Ensures delivery of compassionate quality care and nursing supervision as evidenced by adequate services and staff coverage on unit, absence of odors, general cleanliness, prevention of pressure wounds, and apparent maintenance of optimal resident functions.

• Demonstrates knowledge of and application of Key Clinical Quality Indicators, and proactively monitors and implements systems to achieve and/or surpass company thresholds.

• Exercises overall supervision of resident assessments and care plans. Assures resident care conferences are conducted.

• eviews 24-hour report from every unit daily to monitor and ensure timely, effective responses to significant changes in condition, transfers, discharges, use of restraints, unexplained injuries, falls, behavioral episodes, and medication errors.
  Collaborates with physicians, consultants, community agencies, and institutions to improve the quality of services and to resolve identified problems.

• Coordinates nursing services with all other departments including Therapy and Pharmacy consultants.

• Oversees nursing schedules to assure they meet resident needs and regulatory and budgetary standards.

• Oversees and supervises development and delivery of in-service education to equip nursing staff with sufficient knowledge and skills to provide compassionate, quality care and respect for resident rights.

• Proactively develops positive employee relations, incentives, and recognition programs.

• Promotes teamwork, mutual respect, and effective communication.

• Performs rounds to observe care and to interview staff, residents, families or other interested parties.

• Monitors staff for compliance with OSHA mandates and facility policies on workplace safety.

• Proactively develops procedures and incentives to promote workplace safety and safe work practices.
  Establishes, implements, and monitors the infection control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment designed to prevent the development and transmission of disease and infection.
  Prepares or reviews infection control surveillance reports to identify trends and to develop effective actions to control and prevent infections. Submits an infection control report to the QA Committee.
  Participates in budget development for the nursing department, and for medical, nursing, and central supplies. Assures nursing staff properly charges out ancillaries used.
  Helps the Administrator prepare staff for inspection surveys, instructing staff on matters of conduct and disclosure, being interviewed by inspectors, immediate corrections of problems noted by surveyors, etc.
  Reviews and reinforces important standards previously cited.
  Participates in the preparation of the Plan of Correction response to an inspection survey and implements any follow-up QA required for any nursing allegations.
  Communicates directly with residents, families, medical staff, nursing staff, interdisciplinary team members, and Department Heads to coordinate care and services, promote participation in care plans, and maintain a high quality of care and life for residents.
  Promotes customer service and hospitality and responds to and adequately resolves complaints or concerns from residents or families about nursing services.
  Monitors facility incidents and complaints daily to identify those defined as unusual occurrences by State policy and promptly reports such occurrences to Administrator for appropriate action.
  Monitors complaint reports daily for allegations of potential abuse or neglect, or the loss or misappropriation of resident property, and participates in these investigations.
  Promotes compliance with accident prevention procedures, safety rules, and safe work practices to prevent employee injury and illness and control worker’s compensation costs.
  Responsible for surveillance, infection definition based on standards of practice, education, tracking, data management, analysis of data, communication with the Medical Director and Consultant Pharmacist, and ongoing system review.
  Responsible for ensuring proper Policies, Procedures, and Protocols for care are in place to include the entire nursing process (assessment, plan, implementation, and follow up) for use of antibiotics in the care of the residents. The role of the DON includes adequate education and monitoring to ensure the process is implemented, communication, evidence-based standards of practice vs perceptions, and expectations of staff in their respective roles.
  Assures staff is trained in fire and disaster and other emergency procedures and evaluates performance during drills.
  Acts in an administrative capacity in the absence of the Administrator.
  Conduct staff meetings and in-services as requested.
  Answer incoming calls when necessary and direct calls appropriately.
  Assists in the dining room during assigned meals.
  Perform other tasks as required.
  Mission Points Expectations of all Employees:
  Adheres to all Mission Point Policies and Procedures.
  Conducts self in a manner consistent with Mission Points’ Core Values at all times.
  Maintains a positive and respectful attitude with all word-related contacts.
  Consistently reports to work on time and prepared to perform the duties of the position.
  Meets productivity standards and performs duties as workload necessitates.
  Maintains the privacy of all patient information and company proprietary information.
  Treat residents, family members, visitors, and team members with respect and dignity.
  Able to safely perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
  Must maintain an active license or the required certification(s) (if required by the job).

Supervisory Responsibilities: Assist in hiring, training, supervising, and conducting annual reviews for nursing department, and perform staff retraining, counseling sessions, and implementation of disciplinary actions as necessary.

Required/Desired Qualifications:

Education, Training, and Experience:

• Must possess a current Michigan license as a Registered Nurse and have graduated from an accredited school of nursing.

• Two years of professional nursing experience in the long-term care setting is required, and a minimum of three years’ experience in nursing administration or a comparable management position.

• Must possess and demonstrate a high degree of leadership, organizational ability, and communication skills.

• Knowledge of long-term care management, policies, budgeting, personnel management, and census development is required.

Specific skills, knowledge, and abilities:

• Knowledge of current federal and state laws and regulations that apply to the practice of nursing in a long-term care setting.

• Has strong organizational and time management skills and the ability to prioritize responsibilities.

• Ability to make presentations before top management, public groups, and staff.

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret journals, financial reports, and legal documents.

• Ability to apply mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Other Special Requirements:

• Must be able to work overtime. Must be available on an “on-call” basis. May be summoned to the facility in an emergency and is expected to report to the facility in an emergency.

• Tolerate frequent exposure to blood, body tissues, and fluids with occasional exposure to hazardous materials and infectious diseases. As well as, frequent exposure to chemicals and latex, and plastic materials used for personal protective equipment.

• Manual dexterity required to operate modern office equipment. 

• Ability to travel as needed or assigned.