Director Of Nursing - Long Term Care

Director of Nursing (DNS) – Long Term Care Center Position Summary

The Director of Nursing Services has administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability for assuring functions and activities of the nursing services department. DNS participates in the development of any facility policies that affect the Nursing Services department. The DNS is directly responsible to the facility Administrator. Ensures the compliance with resident care quality standards as it relates to the care provided to all age groups.

Maintains performance improvement activities within the department and participates in PI activities. Works with facility Administrator to assure competency of all nursing services personnel in areas of responsibility. Assists in formulating the budget and maintains efficient and effective departmental operations while required compliance with all state, federal, and local regulations, laws, standards and protocols. Participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities.

• Maintains, interprets, and adheres to facility policy and procedures.
• Ensures the continual delivery of high quality nursing services care through implementation of evidence-based practices and standards.
• Maintains evidence base nursing guidelines by developing, implementing and revising nursing policies and procedures.
• Maintains nursing personnel by recruiting, selecting, orienting qualified staff.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications, attending webinars, establishing professional networks, participates in professional organizations.
• Ensure nursing personnel remains in compliance with licensure, certifications, professional development, and regulatory standards.
• Designs and implements performance improvement project within the nursing services that improves the quality of care and the experience for patients and families.
• Organizes problem solving and effective communication systems for departments and serves as a connection between the ancillary department and the medical staff.
• Acts as a resource person, interpreting, supporting and executing procedures and policies as designated by Administrator.
• Has knowledge of and ensures that the Nursing Services Department adheres to State and Federal rules and regulations concerning delivery of resident care.
• Maintains a Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) for nursing services that includes: infection control audits; safety audits; skin audits; resident care audits; environmental audits; chart audits; nutritional/weight audits; medication audits and employee competency audits. Also an Antibiotic Stewardship program and ethics committee.
  • These audits may be delegated to other Nursing Services personnel to perform.
  • The DNS is aware of facility trends and directs plan of correction of these trends.
  • Evaluates the effectiveness of the QAPI program by observing trends.
  • Attends and directs quarterly QAPI meetings, in conjunction with Administrator.
• Ensures that all medications, treatments, and plans of care are administered as ordered in collaboration with the RN Care Manager.
• Responsible for assisting Nursing Department and communicating with State Surveyors during annual State Survey.
• Is in attendance during exit conference.
• Assists administration with writing plan of correction.
• Coordinates nursing service departmental functions and activities with the functions and activities of other departments.

• Supervises all nursing staff, RCM, RA, and Activities departments.
• Handles all the supervisory duties for the nursing services.
• Complete the work schedules, delegate assignments, assign tasks and evaluate job performance as well as disciplining employees who do not fulfill their job requirements or provide adequate nursing services care.
• Set goals and standards for the nursing services and hold regular staff meetings which they provide communication and direction which leads to discussion for areas for improvement.
• Assists with the personnel management activities of assigned areas, provides guidance…