Director of Nursing (DON)

OVERVIEW:

Executes the goals and objectives of the nursing department in regard to patient/resident rights, patient/resident care and reflects the mission statement of the facility. Serves as a role model to nursing staff while facilitating outcomes-based care delivery, cost management, and enhanced customer satisfaction within the context of an interdisciplinary framework.

Provides leadership and direction for the nursing staff while being responsible for the overall management of the Nursing Department. Ensures nursing staff's compliance with all facility and nursing policies and procedures as well as compliance with regulatory requirements.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

·         Interpret and execute administrative, nursing and resident/patient care policies

·         Ensure compliance with government and accrediting agency standards and regulations pertaining to Nursing

·         Direct systems and programs within the department designed to meet regulatory standards

·         Assess, coordinate, plan and implement the systems required to deliver a high standard of care to patients/residents

·         Define, establish, implement and maintain the standards of care to be delivered Develop the policies and procedures required to meet the standards of care

·         Ensure that all nursing personnel comply with the written policies and procedures established by the department and the facility

·         Meet with staff regularly in planning the clinical services, programs and activities of the department and to identify and correct problem areas and improve services

·         Make reports and recommendations to the Administration concerning the activities of the department

·         Establish an interdisciplinary framework within which nursing services can be coordinated to ensure that residents' needs will be met

·         Review all incident and accident reports before submitting to Administration and the Medical Director Plan and maintain a Master Staffing Plan

·         Establish and maintain qualifications and functions for each nursing position Collaborate with other departments and disciplines in meeting the residents' needs

·         Recommend standard supply levels and equipment purchases to the Administrator

·         Actively participate in committees such as QA/PI, Infection Control, Safety, Ethics, Leadership and others

·         Investigates reports of resident abuse and reports findings to Administration and DOH when appropriate

·         Participates in pre-admission screening process for all resident referrals

·         Oversee CMI data collection and submission to DOH

·         Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies

·         May make determination of death when necessary

·         Participate in QA/PI Programs by providing for the collection and analysis of data for the continuous quality improvement program

·         Oversee performance improvement activities as outcome measurements necessitate

·         Identify areas for improvement in the systems of care delivery

·         Ensure the nursing units are adequately supplied with medical, nursing, linen, and stationary supplies in order to perform nursing tasks and patient/resident care

·         Ensure residents’ safety in accordance with resident safety program

·         Participate in and adhere to employee health, safety, security, and corporate compliance programs

·         Participate in mandatory in-service and job training programs

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:

·         Current registration and license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state employed

·         Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Health Administration is preferred

·         Comprehensive knowledge of OBRA, Joint Commission and State Rules and Regulations

·         Must be CPR/BLS certified

·         Computer and word processing skills

·         Two years of clinical nursing experience in acute care setting

·         Minimum of two years’ experience in sub-acute and geriatrics setting preferred

·         Minimum of four years’ experience in nursing administration

·         Must be able to read, write and speak the English language, knowledge of other languages helpful

·         The ability to deal effectively and professionally with emotional patient/residents, visitors or family members

·         The ability to relate to geriatric, informed and sub-acute population

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

·         This position manages all employees of the Nursing department and is responsible for the performance management and hiring of the employees within that department

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

·         This job operates in a health care setting. This role requires regular walking to various locations around the care center

·         Incumbent may be exposed to virus, disease and infection from patients and specimens in working environment

·         Incumbent may be required to work extended periods of time at a video display terminal

·         Incumbent may experience traumatic situations, including psychiatric, and deceased patients

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

·         The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job

·         While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus

·         This position requires intermittent physical activity, including standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping and crouching as well as lifting and supporting patients

·         The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds

·         The noise level is moderate to quiet