Director of Nursing; DON

General

Purpose:

To manage the overall operations of the Nursing Department in accordance with Company policies, standards of nursing practices and government regulations so as to maintain excellent care of all residents’ needs.

This facility expects their employees to promote an atmosphere of teamwork with other employees and hospitality and comfort for its residents. Therefore, the following list of duties is not all-inclusive:

• Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized governmental agencies.
• In the absence of the Administrator and Assistant Administrator (if applicable), assume responsibility of the facility.
• Oversee the employee health program in cooperation with the Medical Director and Staff Development Coordinator.
• Monitor the Level of Care Reports, Dietary Consultant Reports, and Pharmacy Consultant Reports and take appropriate actions.
• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate and direct the nursing services department, as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long‑term care facility.
• Assume administrative authority, responsibility and accountability for all functions, activities, and training of the nursing department.
• Organize, develop, and direct the administration and resident care of the nursing service department.

• Participate in Department Supervisor Meetings, Resident Care Plan Meetings, Budget Committee Meetings, Safety Committee Meetings, Quality Assessment and Assurance Committee Meetings, In‑service Education, Family Council and any other meeting as directed by the Administrator.
• Meet monthly with staff on each shift.
• Meet daily with Director of Admissions/Marketing, Business Office Manager, and Administrator regarding admission and placement of proposed residents. Evaluate prospective residents in terms of the nursing service they need and the capability of the facility to supply the needed service.
• Participate in coordination of resident services through departmental and appropriate staff committee meetings.
• Meet monthly with nursing staff regarding Chart Audit and Physician’s orders. Review audit with Medical Records prior to submitting to Administration.

• Interview, orient, train, evaluate and supervise nursing department personnel.
• Delegate to nursing service supervisory personnel the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary to perform their assigned duties.
• Make daily rounds of the nursing department to verify that all nursing service personnel are performing their work assignments in accordance with acceptable nursing standards.
• Provide that departmental disciplinary action is administered fairly and without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or marital status.
• Cooperate with the ADON to determine staffing requirements based on current needs and State and Federal guidelines.
• Provide appropriate departmental in‑service education programs in compliance with Corporate, State and Federal guidelines.
• Work closely with Administrator in resolving grievances with nursing staff, family members, and residents.

• Perform nursing services and deliver resident care services in compliance with Corporate policies and State and Federal regulations.
• Inform state of any reportable incidents within appropriate time frames. Complete investigative analysis as required.
• Inform nursing service personnel of new admissions, their expected time of arrival, room assignment, etc.
• Greet newly admitted residents upon admission. Escort to room as necessary.
• Make rounds with physicians as necessary. Schedule physician visits as necessary.
• Schedule daily rounds to observe residents and to determine if nursing needs are being met in accordance with the resident’s request.
• Monitor medication passes and treatment schedules to verify that medications are being administered as ordered and that treatments are provided as scheduled.
• Provide direct nursing care, as necessary.
• Regularly inspect the facility and nursing practices for compliance with federal,…