Director of Nursing (DON)

SUMMARY: The primary purpose of the Director of Nursing position is to plan, organize, develop and direct the overall operation of our Nursing Department in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern our facility, and as may be directed by the Administrator and the Medical Director, to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct the nursing service department, as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations and guidelines that govern the nursing care facilities. Develop, maintain, and periodically update written policies and procedures that govern the day-to-day functions of the nursing service department. Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the Administrator, as necessary/required, concerning the operation of the nursing service department.
• Develops methods for coordination of nursing services with other resident services to ensure the continuity of the residents’ total regimen of care. Maintain an ongoing quality assurance program for the nursing department. Participate in facility surveys made by authorized government agencies as necessary or as may be directed. Assist the Quality Assessment & Assurance Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies. Assist with discharge planning and perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies charting, etc. Monitor the facility’s QI, QM, and survey reports. Assist in the 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. Assign a sufficient number of licensed practical and/or registered nurses for each tour of duty to ensure that quality care is maintained. Assign a sufficient number of certified nursing assistants for each tour of duty to ensure that routing nursing care is provided to meet the daily nursing care needs of each resident. Develop work assignments and schedule duty hours, and/or assist nursing supervisory staff in completing and performing such tasks. Delegate to nursing personnel the administrative authority, responsibility and accountability necessary to perform their assigned duties. Make daily rounds of the nursing service department to ensure that all nursing service personnel are performing their work assignments.
• Assist the HR Director in developing performance evaluations on an annual basis for the nursing department. Ensure that departmental disciplinary action is administered fairly and proper documentation for such discipline is given to HR Director for personnel file.
• Assist with infection control monitoring in establishing a TB management program for employees. Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals. Ensure that the department’s policy and procedure manuals identify safety precautions and equipment to use when performing tasks that could result in bodily injury. Assist in identifying, evaluating, and classifying routing and job-related functions to ensure that tasks in which potential exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identified and recorded. Ensure that all personnel performing tasks that involve exposure risks participate in proper in-service training programs.
• Review nurses’ notes to ensure that they are informative and descriptive of the nursing care being provided, that they reflect the resident’s response to the care, and that such care is provided in accordance with the resident’s wishes. Monitor medication passes and treatment schedules to ensure that medications are being administered as ordered and that treatments are provided as scheduled. Provide direct nursing care as necessary.
• Coordinate continuing education/in-service training for nursing department.
• Report suspected or known incidence of fraud to Administrator.
• Assist the MDS/Care Plan Coordinator in planning, scheduling & revising the MDS, including the implementation of RAPs and Triggers. Encourage the resident and his/her family to participate in the development and review of resident’s plan of care.
• Maintain confidentiality of all resident care information including protected health information. Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Must have, as a minimum, 3 years of experience as a supervisor in a hospital, nursing care facility, or other related health care facility.
• Registered Nurse with current unencumbered state license.
• Current CPR Certification is required.
• Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English language.
• Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of team work and team concept.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
• Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to nursing care facilities.
• Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures that are necessary for providing quality care.
• Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday. Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of the facility, which include a medical and physical examination.
• Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 25 lbs. to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.
• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.