Director of Nursing; RN

Overview

Job Title: Director of Nursing
Location: Facility
Department: Clinical Administration
FLSA Status: Exempt
Reports to: Administrator
Revised Date: 4/27/2020

Position Summary:
The Director of Nursing assumes authority, responsibility, and accountability for the delivery of nursing services in the facility. In collaboration with facility Administration, allocates department resources in an efficient and economic manner to enable each resident to attain or maintain the highest practical physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being. Collaborates with other departments, medical professionals, consultants, and organizations, including government agencies and advocacy groups, to develop, support and coordinate resident care, related administrative functions, and to represent the interests of the facility.

• Responsible for ensuring proper Policies, Procedures, and Protocols for care are in place to include the entire nursing process (assessment, plan, implementation, and follow up) for use of antibiotics in the care of the residents. The role of the DON includes adequate education and monitoring to ensure the process is implemented, communication, evidence-based standards of practice vs perceptions, and expectations of staff in their respective roles.
• Develops, maintains, and implements nursing policies and procedures that conform to current standards of nursing practice, facility philosophy, and operational policies while maintaining compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
• Communicates and interprets policies and procedures to nursing staff, and monitors staff practices and implementation.
• Participates in all admission decisions and may visit prospective residents before admission to assess overall health status.
• Participates in daily or weekly management team meetings to discuss resident status, census changes, personnel, or resident complaints or concerns.
• Evaluates the work performance of all nursing personnel, assists in the determination of wage increases, and implements discipline according to operational policies.
• Ensures delivery of compassionate quality care and nursing supervision as evidenced by adequate services and staff coverage on unit, absence of odors, general cleanliness, prevention of pressure wounds, and apparent maintenance of optimal resident functions.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and application of Key Clinical Quality Indicators, and proactively monitors and implements systems to achieve and/or surpass company thresholds.
• Exercises overall supervision of resident assessments and care plans. Assures resident care conferences are conducted.
• Reviews 24-hour report from every unit daily to monitor and ensure timely, effective responses to significant changes in condition, transfers, discharges, use of restraints, unexplained injuries, falls, behavioral episodes, and medication errors. Collaborates with physicians, consultants, community agencies, and institutions to improve the quality of services and to resolve identified problems.
• Coordinates nursing services with all other departments including Therapy and Pharmacy consultants.
• Oversees nursing schedules to assure they meet resident needs and regulatory and budgetary standards.
• Oversees and supervises development and delivery of in-service education to equip nursing staff with sufficient knowledge and skills to provide compassionate, quality care and respect for resident rights.
• Proactively develops positive employee relations, incentives, and recognition programs.
• Promotes teamwork, mutual respect, and effective communication.
• Performs rounds to observe care and to interview staff, residents, families or other interested parties.
• Monitors staff for compliance with OSHA mandates and facility policies on workplace safety.
• Proactively develops procedures and incentives to promote workplace safety and safe work practices. Establishes, implements, and monitors the infection control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment designed to prevent the development and transmission of disease and infection. Prepares or reviews infection control surveillance reports to identify trends and to develop effective actions to control and prevent infections.
  
  Submits an infection control report to the QA Committee. Participates in budget development for the nursing department, and for medical, nursing, and central supplies. Assures nursing staff properly charges out ancillaries used. Helps the Administrator prepare staff for inspection surveys, instructing staff on matters of conduct and disclosure, being interviewed by inspectors, immediate corrections of problems noted by surveyors, etc.
  
  Reviews and reinforces important standards previously cited. Participates in the preparation of the Plan of Correction response to an inspection survey and implements any follow-up QA required for any nursing allegations. Communicates directly with residents, families, medical staff, nursing staff,…