Director of Nursing

Job Title: Director of Nursing
Location: Jackson, NJ Ocean County)

Position Summary:
The Director of Nursing (DON) is responsible for the day-to-day coordination, management, and oversight of all aspects of the Nursing Department. The DON ensures that nursing services are delivered in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, as well as established standards of nursing practice and quality care.

The Director of Nursing works closely with facility leadership and clinical leadership to coordinate nursing services, clinical programs, quality initiatives, staffing, and resident care.

Reports To:

• The Director of Nursing reports to the facility Administrator and works collaboratively with clinical leadership to coordinate nursing-specific and clinical programs.

Supervises:

• The Director of Nursing provides administrative and clinical supervision to licensed nursing staff, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), staffing personnel, medical records personnel, and other nursing department staff, in accordance with applicable state and federal requirements.
• The Director of Nursing may assume administrative responsibilities in the absence of the Administrator.

Minimum Qualifications:
Education:

• Must be a Registered Nurse (RN) with a minimum of a diploma from an accredited nursing institution.
• Additional education or experience in rehabilitative, geriatric, or long-term care nursing is preferred.
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is preferred.

Professional Experience:

• Minimum of one year of experience in long-term care nursing management, or as otherwise required by applicable state regulations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of nursing operations, resident care, staffing, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.

Licensure:

• Must maintain an active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the applicable state(s) of employment.

Exposure Risks:

• The Director of Nursing may be exposed to blood and body fluids, infectious diseases, airborne contaminants, tobacco smoke, and hazardous chemicals. Appropriate safety precautions and infection-control procedures must be followed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct the Nursing Department and its programs and activities in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, standards, and guidelines.
• Maintain current nursing references, resources, policies, and regulatory materials to support the department's daily operations.
• Develop and maintain effective coordination between nursing services and other resident services to promote continuity of care.
• Participate in regulatory, licensing, accreditation, and other authorized facility surveys as required.
• Collaborate with clinical leadership to identify, address, and resolve clinical and operational issues.
• Develop action plans for identified system issues, quality indicators, and performance improvement opportunities.
• Collect, review, and analyze clinical outcome data and identify trends.
• Present relevant clinical outcome trends and quality information at Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) or similar committee meetings.
• Participate in the development and implementation of corrective action and performance improvement plans.
• Assist with resident admissions, transfers, and discharges.
• Serve on facility committees and participate in meetings as assigned.
• Determine and monitor nursing department staffing needs and ensure adequate and appropriate staffing for each shift based on resident needs and applicable requirements.
• Review nursing policies and procedures at least annually and recommend revisions as needed.
• Participate in the recruitment, interviewing, selection, and hiring of nursing personnel in collaboration with facility leadership.
• Ensure timely completion of performance evaluations for nursing staff.
• Assist with the development and implementation of nursing-related orientation, education, competency, and in-service training programs.
• Ensure adequate supplies and equipment are available to provide safe and effective resident care.
• Ensure nursing and medical care is provided in accordance with resident preferences, physician orders, applicable regulations, and individualized care plans.
• Collaborate with facility leadership to develop, manage, and adhere to the Nursing Department budget.
• Maintain confidentiality of resident, employee, and facility information in accordance with applicable privacy requirements.
• Ensure residents are treated with dignity and respect and that resident rights are protected.
• Maintain effective communication with residents, families, physicians, and other departments to appropriately address resident needs.

Daily Responsibilities:

• Attend daily department-head meetings and facilitate clinical meetings as appropriate.
• Lead nursing management staff in identifying and resolving resident care and service concerns.
• Conduct nursing unit rounds at least twice during the Director's scheduled shift and ensure identified concerns are appropriately addressed.
• Monitor staffing levels and ensure adequate coverage based on resident needs and operational requirements.
• Review resident and staff incidents, events, complaints, and grievances and ensure appropriate investigations and follow-up are completed.
• Review resident referrals for admission and assist with determining appropriateness for admission.
• Assist with the resident admission and discharge process.
• Address resident and family concerns related to nursing services.
• Ensure timely physician and family notification regarding significant changes in resident condition.
• Ensure care plans are reviewed and revised when resident conditions or needs change.
• Assume appropriate administrative responsibilities when the Administrator is unavailable.

Weekly Responsibilities:

• Review and report key clinical and quality indicators to appropriate clinical or facility leadership.
• Ensure resident risk-management or "at-risk" meetings are conducted and that appropriate interventions and follow-up are implemented.
• Participate in care planning meetings and ensure interdisciplinary participation and appropriate plans of care.
• Meet with nursing management staff to communicate priorities, address concerns, and establish goals and action plans.
• Review consultant reports and recommendations and ensure appropriate follow-up.
• Develop and implement action plans to address identified clinical, operational, or regulatory concerns.
• Visit with new residents and, when appropriate, meet with their families to assess needs and address concerns.
• Review significant resident incidents and accidents with the Medical Director or attending physician as appropriate.
• Review other significant resident care concerns with the Medical Director or appropriate healthcare provider.
• Participate in department-head, care planning, discharge planning, unit, and other relevant meetings.
• Participate in wound care rounds and collaborate with wound care personnel.
• Recruit and interview nursing personnel as needed.
• Monitor and manage the Nursing Department budget.

Monthly Responsibilities:

• Participate in quality assurance and performance improvement meetings and present clinical outcome trends and corrective action plans.
• Participate in safety and other facility committee meetings as assigned.
• Participate in leadership meetings and clinical operations meetings.
• Conduct nursing staff meetings and communicate important operational, clinical, regulatory, and resident-care information.
• Participate in applicable facility programs designed to support resident satisfaction, customer service, and continuity of care.
• Monitor and manage the Nursing Department budget.

Annual Responsibilities:

• Review Nursing Department policies and procedures and coordinate required review and approval with appropriate clinical and facility leadership.
• Complete and provide written performance evaluations for nursing staff.
• Participate in annual business and operational planning.
• Review staffing, equipment, supplies, and departmental needs as part of the annual planning process.
• Monitor and manage the Nursing Department budget.