Director Of Nursing

The Director of Nursing (DON) is responsible for the overall administration, management, supervision, and coordination of the facility's nursing department. The DON ensures that residents receive high-quality, safe, compassionate, and individualized nursing care in accordance with federal and Connecticut state regulations, established clinical standards, and facility policies and procedures.

The DON provides leadership and direction to all nursing personnel, oversees daily nursing operations, ensures appropriate staffing levels, monitors clinical outcomes, and promotes a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous quality improvement.

The DON is also responsible for providing leadership coverage outside regular business hours, participating in the facility's on-call schedule and weekend leadership rotation, and ensuring continuity of nursing operations.

• Direct and supervise all nursing services to ensure the delivery of quality resident care.
• Ensure nursing assessments, care plans, treatments, medications, and interventions are completed accurately and timely.
• Monitor residents' clinical conditions and ensure significant changes are promptly communicated to attending physicians and the medical director.
• Conduct regular clinical rounds to evaluate resident care, identify concerns, and ensure compliance with established standards.
• Oversee clinical programs, including wound care, fall prevention, infection prevention, pressure injury prevention, and medication management.
• Ensure appropriate admission, transfer, and discharge nursing processes.
• Promote resident dignity, safety, independence, and rights.

• Oversee recruitment, interviewing, selection, and retention of nursing personnel in coordination with the Administrator and Human Resources.
• Oversee nursing schedules to ensure adequate staffing coverage on all shifts.
• Monitor staffing levels and ensure compliance with Connecticut and federal staffing requirements.
• Ensure appropriate nursing supervision and assignment of responsibilities for all shifts.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and address performance concerns through appropriate coaching and disciplinary action.
• Ensure all nursing personnel maintain required licenses, certifications, competencies, and mandatory training.
• Develop and implement orientation and ongoing education programs.
• Hold nursing leadership and staff accountable for attendance, punctuality, professionalism, and job performance.

• Ensure compliance with Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and applicable federal and state regulations.
• Maintain continuous survey readiness and ensure nursing policies and procedures are current and implemented.
• Lead nursing department preparation for annual surveys, complaint investigations, and other regulatory inspections.
• Participate in the development and implementation of Plans of Correction (POCs).
• Ensure deficiencies identified during surveys or internal audits are addressed promptly and corrective measures are sustained.
• Maintain accurate and complete nursing documentation and medical records.
• Ensure timely investigation, documentation, and reporting of accidents, incidents, allegations of abuse, neglect, and other reportable events.

• Monitor clinical indicators, including falls, infections, pressure injuries, rehospitalizations, weight loss, and medication errors.
• Identify trends and implement corrective action plans to improve clinical outcomes.
• Conduct regular audits of nursing documentation, medication…