Director of Nursing; DNS

Experience & Education

• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing, college, or university, B.S.N. preferred.
• Must possess a current, unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse in this state.
• CPR certified.
• Certification in Gerontology preferred.
• Must have at least one (1) year of additional education or experience in rehabilitative or geriatric nursing and one (1) year of nursing administration. Nursing administration is defined as:
  Registered Nurses employed as Director of Nurses;
  Assistant Director of Nurses;
  Supervisor in a chronic and
  convalescent facility; employment in short-term hospital or chronic disease hospital as Director of Nurses, Assistant Director of Nurses, Supervisor, Staff Development Director, Infection Preventions.
• Rates are based on demonstrated applicable experience, license verification, and professional reference checks.

• Plans, develops, organizes, implements, evaluates, and directs the nursing service department, according to state and federal guidelines and scope of patient.
• Maintains and reviews and has input to development of all clinical policies and procedures.
• Develops and implements a nursing service organization structure.
• Determines the staffing needs of the nursing service department, making recommendations to the Administrator, necessary to meet the needs of the residents.
• Oversees licensed nursing staff.
• Develops work assignments and schedules duty hours, and/or assists nursing supervisor staff in completing and performing tasks necessary to ensure quality of care.
• Develops and maintains an on-call program for the nursing department.
• Makes daily rounds of each nursing unit and does visual inspection on each unit.
• Reviews satisfaction of care and services with interviews with families.
• Assists the Infection Preventions in establishing and maintaining the Infection Control Program.
• Assists the Director of Staff.
• Assures that all mandatory in-service education sessions, which are required by state and federal law, are performed per schedule; documented and such documentation is retained.
• Assists the Administrator in developing safety standards for the nursing department and monitors these through employee incidents and develops a plan of correction and audit tool for prevention. The Director of Nurses is an active member of the Safety Committee.
• Abides by all reporting policies and measures set forth.
• Other duties assigned by managerial team.

• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such actions.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public.
• Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to long term care.
• Must be knowledgeable in the privacy rules and ensure all staff comply with facility privacy practices policies and procedures.
• Must possess leadership ability and willingness to work harmoniously with professional and non-professional personnel.
• Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies, and procedures, etc., that are necessary for providing quality care.
• Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition, and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents.
• Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.
• Must be able to communicate effectively to appropriate personnel regarding emergency situations.
• Must possess a comprehensive knowledge of nursing theory and practice.