Director of Nursing

Position Summary

Responsible for management of the nursing services department and for the direction and supervision of all nursing services functions and activities. Responsible for the quality of resident care and ensures that sufficient and properly prepared personnel carry out the functions of nursing service. Is knowledgeable of social, economic and legal issues affecting the health care systems and seeks all opportunities for keeping staff up-to-date in health care practices. Develops, directs the implementation, and ensures compliance of standard of nursing practice that promotes optimum health care delivery.

This salaried, exempt position reports directly to the Nursing Home Administrator.

General Purpose

1. Develops and maintains nursing practice through application of the facility’s philosophy, mission and approved policies & procedures;
2. Provides competent staff for all levels of resident care in cooperation with Administration and Staff Development;
3. Interviews and explains job duties to the licensed staff;
4. Directs nursing staff to produce optimum resident care and services;
5. Directs medical records staff and reviews medical records on a routine basis to ensure compliance;
6. Cooperates with all departments to provide quality care and services for all phases of the residents' care and needs.

Role Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Position Responsibilities

• Makes rounds to assess quality of resident care and staff compliance.
• Ensures all nursing units are staffed according to residents’ acuity and needs.
• Coordinates on call nursing staff to ensure coverage for staffing issues, availability for nursing issues requiring the presence of staff.
• Recruits and interviews new licensed nursing employees; and counsels, disciplines or terminates nursing employees, as needed.
• Attends or assures that a nursing representative attends and is active in necessary facility meetings.
• Deals with employee performance issues (counsel, discipline, terminate & monitor).
• Directs and monitors to determine adequate documentation is being done on a daily basis.
• Investigates complaints, grievances and allegations of abuse or neglect concerning nursing service and/or nursing personnel.
• Promotes harmonious relationships and favorable attitudes among health care team.
• Plans and cooperates with Administration on operations, budgets & special projects as requested.
• Collaborates with Medical Director to assure quality care is given to all residents.
• Works in collaboration with Infection Control Nurse to ensure staff education, monitoring for & reporting infections, compliance with infection control policies and procedures & high standards of cleanliness throughout the facility to prevent and control the spread of infectious disease.
• Develops or revises policies and procedures that are in compliance with current regulatory requirements and professional standards of practice to achieve quality care to residents.
• Prepares annual evaluations for nursing staff.
• Maintains safety, fire, disaster, blood borne pathogens, tuberculosis exposure, pandemic plans, OSHA and other programs in cooperation with Administration.
• Conducts monthly staff meetings, Team Manager Nurse meetings and nursing supervisor meetings.
• Establishes appropriate health and safety rules related to the work environment of the employees within the nursing department.
• Has ability to manage stress tolerance, pressure and anxiety.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• All members of the Nursing Department report to this position.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Ability

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Education: Associate’s degree from an accredited school of nursing is necessary. Completion of Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• Certification: Current RN license is required. Employee must be in good standing with the state. Possession of a current Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers CPR certificate is required.
• Experience: Sufficient experience in order to perform daily tasks with an understanding of the duties involved. Must have a minimum of five (5) years general nursing experience, with at least two (2) years in long-term care and two (2) years’ experience in either supervision, administration, consultation or involvement in the long-term care survey process.

KNOWLEDGE

• Nursing: Knowledge of the principles, standards, and methods of professional nursing and the practices of the skilled care and rehabilitation of residents.
• Medicine: Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat residents. Includes knowledge of medical symptoms and treatment alternatives, preventative health care measures, and drug properties and interactions.
• Psychology: Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods.
• Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing excellent customer and personal services. This includes, but is not limited to, meeting the quality standards for sound nursing techniques and treatment practices, knowledge of medical treatments, and health care sanitation and hygiene, in a manner which promotes resident satisfaction.
• English Language: Must have the ability to read, write, and follow oral and written directions at a level necessary to accomplish the job.
• Education and Training: Completion of a state-approved RN training program.
• Safety and Security: Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of staff and residents, data, and the Facility as a whole.

SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Active Listening: Ability to give full attention to what others are saying. Taking time to understand the points being made, and asking questions, if appropriate. Ability to hear and respond to residents.
• Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Communication: Ability to communicate effectively across the organization in English. Includes the ability to read, comprehend, and interpret documents such as safety rules and procedure manuals and the aptitude to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively and be understood by others.
• Delegation: Ability to delegate work assignments and monitor delegated activities.
• Quality Management: Looks for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Monitoring: Assessing performance of self, other individuals, or the Facility to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Service Orientation: Actively looking for new ways to help others.
• Problem Sensitivity: Ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It includes recognizing and solving problems.
• Organizing, Planning & Prioritizing Work: Ability to develop plans in order to organize, set priorities, and accomplish daily duties.
• Teamwork: Ability to work well with supervisors, peers, and subordinates to achieve goals. Readily gives and receives help and values the contribution of teammates.
• Attention to Detail: Being careful, accurate and thorough in completing work-related tasks.
• Dependability: Reliable, responsible, and dependable, while fulfilling obligations. Must be capable of maintaining regular attendance.
• Integrity: Ability to be an honest and ethical employee while exercising both patience and tact and complying with the Facility’s policies and procedures.
• Technical: Ability to understand equipment function and operation such as lifting equipment, oxygen usage, and other medical equipment used in the performance of duties. Ability to use computer technology and various programs with training as needed to complete job duties.