Assistant DON

Job Summary:

Promotes and exemplifies the philosophy and mission of HMH. Provides for quality patient care through the effective management of professional and non-professional nursing personnel on respective units. Coordinates and guides nursing activities on a patient care unit. Has 24-hour responsibilities for problem solving of patient care unit. Responsible for nursing assessment and plan of care for swing bed nursing patients in acute care units.

Consults with staff, providers, management team on nursing problems and interpretation of hospital policies to ensure swing bed patient needs are met. Completes CMS and regulatory requirements to meet standards of care. Responsible for collating data and reviewing with Director of Nursing and CNO. Provides feedback for improvement in care, processes, and outcomes for swing patients.

• Coordinates nursing care and serves as consultant to unit staff.
• Obtains support services that improve and facilitate patient care with assistance of Charge Nurses and Education.
• Maintains awareness of patient needs by making patient rounds as needed. (leader rounding with documentation)
• Gives direct care to selected patients for selected tasks or nursing intervention for purpose of assessment of patients with complex problems, to serve as role model for staff and to identify learning needs of staff.
• Collaborates with staff to develop, implement and evaluate standards of care for pediatric/medical/telemetry patients.
• Supports Patient Representative by investigating patient complaints and follows through with corrective measures.
• Promotes an effective communication network on unit and between departments.
• Enforces hospital policies and takes corrective action as needed.
• Meets monthly with nursing staff to discuss patient/work related problems and for information sharing. Minutes are kept and provided to Nursing Administration (at least ten meetings per year).
• Acts as leader and role model to staff on unit, and all nursing staff within the organization.
• Evaluates employee performance as indicated and employee is made cognizant if there is need for improvement. Specific goals are established that are measurable and realistic, with a completion date/time frame noted.
• Processes exception reports accurately and in a timely manner for each payroll period.
• Processes evaluations before or during pay period in which they are due.
• Promotes good interpersonal relationship with the Medical Staff to assure satisfactory communication and reports any issues to executive management.
• Inspects physical facilities and operation of unit and recommends revisions and equipment as needed.
• Makes concerted efforts to operate within the approved budget.
• Completes and submits staffing schedules the week prior to effective date.
• Attends and participates in Management meetings.
• Maintains a communication system with other departments and agencies that are used as resources for patient care needs.
• Attends 75% of QAPI and Med Staff meetings.
• Cooperates with teaching program and serves as a positive role model. Works directly with INTERN/TECH/GRAD to foster growth and development. Participates in continuing education programs (clinical).
• Participates in leader rounding for staff per hospital quality goals.
• Participates in continuing education management programs.
• Collaborates with Drug Room Supervisor and PIC while becoming knowledgeable of Drug room Rules.
• Within the 1st year becomes able to teach classes required by staff.
• Assists with performance improvement, data collection along with infection prevention and swing bed patients.
• Follows policies and procedures that govern swing bed patients in collaboration with Nursing, Ancillary, and other services
• Assists with swing bed patients by implementing care plans and working with licensed nurses, CNA’s, Activities Director to improve the quality of care rendered.
• Completes the assessment of swing bed patients and the completion and updating of Care Plans, and Doscjarges under the direction of the Patient Care Coordination.
• Consults other departments as appropriate to provide for an interdisciplinary approach to the patient needs. Contacts providers in collaboration with nursing staff to meet patient care needs.
• Demonstrates knowledge of geriatric patients and assists staff to assess and reassess patient, treating them and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial needs.
• Maintains regulatory requirements. Collects, verifies, and reports required data to DON. Promotes goals and direction of CNO, nursing department and organization
• Completes or assists in completion of RN assessments on new residents within 24 hours of admit. Assists with discharges working with case management participates in discharge planning.

• Energy, good health, leadership qualities and ability to get along with people.
• Ability to organize, coordinate and direct patient care.
• Initiative, dedication,…