Director of Nursing

Summary

The Director of Nursing (“DON”) is responsible for effective overall management of the Nursing Department and coordination with other disciplines to provide quality care to all patients/residents. She/he supports and practices the philosophy, objectives and standards of the Department of Nursing and participates in the revision of these as necessary to ensure quality care to all patients/residents. She/he also monitors the outcomes of nursing service activity by evaluating the performance of nursing staff, ensuring compliance with all facility and regulatory agency standards, policies and procedures, coordinating facility committees and monitoring the effective and efficient use of budgeted resources (personnel, supplies, equipment).

 

 

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

1.       Ensures that nursing interventions meet the personal, physical and cognitive needs of each patient/resident as well as maximize his/her self care capacities, identity, independence, choice and opportunity for social interaction.

2.       Monitors the outcomes of nursing service activity by evaluating the performance of nursing staff, ensuring compliance with all facility and regulatory agency standards, policies and procedures, coordinating facility committees and monitoring the effective and efficient use of budgeted resources (personnel, supplies, equipment).

3.       Assumes full responsibility for the operation and management of the facility in the temporary absence of the Facility Administrator or as directed by the Administrator.

4.       Develops short and long-range plans for the nursing department that are compatible with those of the facility.

5.       Assists in recruiting and selects nursing service employees appropriate to facility need and budgetary guidelines.

6.       Works in establishing and facilitating effective employer/employee relations.

7.       Maintains adequate staffing ratios and levels of preparation to meet the needs of patients/residents.

8.       Participates in the selection of patients/residents to be admitted by evaluating the level and amount of care required by prospective patients/residents in relation to existing nursing capabilities.

9.       Actively maintains cohesive public and professional relationships with patients/residents, families, physicians and the community.

10.   Incorporates nursing philosophy, standards and objectives into the evaluation process for staff and nursing services and ensures that the philosophy, objectives and standards of the nursing department are an integral part of the orientation and education of nursing service personnel.

11.   Coordinates requirements and cooperates with all other departments in providing a favorable physical, social and emotional environment for all patients/residents.

12.   Serves on Quality Improvement and Safety Committees that include Patient/Resident Standards of Care, Pharmaceutical Services, Infection Control, Safety and Utilization Review/PPS.

13.   Meets with committee members to evaluate activities within the facility and to identify opportunities for continuous improvement in nursing operations.

 

 

Other Duties

1.       Duties as assigned.

2.       Leads in correction of deficiencies if any, cited by state surveys.

 

 

Qualifications

1.       Current RN licensure in the state where employed.

2.       BSN / MSN degree preferred.

3.       Three to five years progressive management experience in a long-term, sub-acute or post-acute care setting preferred.

4.       Ability to work flexible work hours to support state and federal resident care requirements.

5.       Superior customer service aptitude and approach.

 

 

Key Competencies

Compassion:  Genuinely cares about people; is concerned about their work and non-work problems; is available and ready to help; is sympathetic to the plight of others not as fortunate; demonstrates real empathy with the joys and pains of others.

 

Composure:  Is cool under pressure; does not become defensive or irritated when times are tough; is considered mature; can be counted on to hold things together during tough times; can handle stress; is not knocked off balance by the unexpected; doesn’t show frustration when resisted or blocked; is a settling influence in a crisis. 

 

Customer Focus:  Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.

 

Decision Quality:  Makes good decisions (without considering how much time it takes) based upon a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment; most of his/her solutions and suggestions turn out to be correct and accurate when judged over time; sought out by others for advice and solutions.

 

Directing Others:  Is good at establishing clear directions; sets stretching objectives; distributes the workload appropriately; lays out work in a well-planned and organized manner; maintains two-way dialogue with others on work and results; brings out the best in people; is a clear communicator.

 

Fairness to Direct Reports:  Treats direct reports equitably; acts fairly; has candid discussions; doesn’t have hidden agenda; doesn’t give preferential treatment.

 

Functional/Technical Skills:  Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills to do the job at a high level of accomplishment.

 

Integrity and Trust:  Is widely trusted; is seen as a direct, truthful individual; can present the unvarnished truth in an appropriate and helpful manner; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; doesn’t misrepresent him/herself for personal gain.

 

Listening:  Practices attentive and active listening; has the patience to hear people out; can accurately restate the opinions of others even when he/she disagrees.

 

Managerial Courage:  Doesn’t hold back anything that needs to be said; provides current, direct, complete, and “actionable” positive and corrective feedback to others; lets people know where they stand; faces up to people problems on any person or situation (not including direct reports) quickly and directly; is not afraid to take negative action when necessary.

 

Organizational Agility:  Knowledge about how organizations work; knows how to get things done both through formal channels and the informal network; understands the origin and reasoning behind key policies, practices and procedures; understands the cultures of organizations.

 

Priority Setting:  Spends his/her time and the time of others on what’s important; quickly zeros in on the critical few and puts the trivial aside; can quickly sense what will help or hinder accomplishing a goal; eliminates roadblocks; creates focus.

 

Drive for Results:  Can be counted on to exceed goals successfully; is constantly and consistently one of the top performers; very bottom-line oriented; steadfastly pushes self and others for results.

 

Managing Vision and Purpose:  Communicates a compelling and inspired vision or sense of core purpose; talks beyond today; talks about possibilities; is optimistic; creates m