Director of Nursing

To plan, organize, develop and direct the overall operation of our Nursing Service Department in accordance with current federal, state and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern our facility and as may be directed by the Administrator and the Medical Director to ensure that he highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.
Job Responsibilities Administrative Functions Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct the nursing service department, as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long-term care facility.
Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the Administrator, as necessary/required, concerning the operation of the nursing service department.
Develop methods for coordination of nursing services with other services to ensure the continuity of the residents' total regimen of care.
Develop, implement, and maintain an ongoing quality assurance program for the nursing service department.
Participate in surveys made by authorized government agencies.
Assist the Quality Assurance Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies.
Assist in planning the nursing services portion of the resident's discharge plan.
Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc.
, as necessary.
Personnel Functions Determine the staffing needs of the nursing service department necessary to meet the nursing needs of the residents.
Recommend the number and level of nursing personnel to be employed.
Assist the Administrator in the recruitment and selection of nursing service personnel.
Ensure that all nursing assistants are enrolled in or have graduated from an approved training program.
Assign a sufficient number of licensed practical and/or registered nurses for each tour of duty to ensure that quality care is maintained.
Assign a sufficient number of certified nursing assistants for each tour of duty to ensure that routine nursing care is provided to meet the daily nursing care needs of the residents.
Develop work assignments and schedule shift hours, and/or assist nursing staff in completing and performing such tasks.
Make daily rounds of the nursing service departments to ensure that all nursing service personnel are performing their work assignments in accordance with acceptable nursing standards.
Monitor absenteeism to ensure that an adequate number of nursing care personnel are on duty at all times.
Maintain procedures for ensuring that professional nursing personnel, including private duty nurses, have valid and current licenses as required by this state.
Review complaints and grievances made or filed by department personnel.
Make appropriate reports to the Administrator as required or as may be necessary, including departmental performance evaluations.
Ensure that disciplinary action is administered fairly and consistently.
Nursing Care Participate in the screening of residents for admission to the facility.
Provide the Administrator with information relative to the nursing needs of the resident and the nursing service department's ability to meet those needs.
Inform nursing service personnel of new admissions, their expected time of arrival, room assignment, etc.
Ensure that rooms are ready for admissions.
Make rounds with physicians as necessary.
Schedule physician visits as necessary.
Encourage attending physicians to record and sign progress notes, physicians' orders, etc.
, on a timely basis and in accordance with current regulations.
Ensure that direct nursing care be provided by a licensed nurse, a CNA qualified to perform the procedure.
Review nurses' notes to ensure that they are informative and descriptive of the nursing care being provided, that they reflect the resident's response to the care, and that such care is provided in accordance with the resident's wishes.
Schedule daily rounds to observe residents and to determine if nursing needs are being met in accordance with the resident's needs.
Monitor medication passes and treatment schedules to ensure that medications are being administered as ordered and that treatments are provided as scheduled.
Provide direct nursing care as necessary.
Authorize the use of restraints when necessary and in accordance with our established policies and procedures.
Implement and monitor programs (falls, skins, weights, etc.
,) in accordance with our established policies and procedures.
Staff Development Develop and participate in the planning, conducting, and scheduling of timely in-service training classes that provide instructions on "how to do the job", and ensure a well-educated nursing service department.
Implement and maintain an effective orientation program that orients the new employee to the facility, its policies and procedures, and to his/her job position and duties.
Develop in-service training programs for the nursing staff.
Ensure that these programs meet the identified quality issues and employee specific issues.
Ensure that in-services are conducted to address the recognized annual mandatory training required.
Attend and participate in educational programs designed to keep you abreast of changes in your profession.
Provide education to facility staff on material obtained through company and outside educational seminars.
Care Plan and Assessment Functions Assist in developing a written plan of care for each resident that identifies the problems/needs of the resident, indicates the care to be given, goals to be accomplished, and which professional service is responsible for each element of care.
Ensure that all personnel involved in providing care to the resident are aware of the resident's care plan.
Ensure that nursing personnel refer to the resident's care plan.
Review nurses' notes to determine if the care plan is being followed.
Ensure that medical and nursing care is administered in accordance with the resident's wishes, including the implementation of advanced directives.
Resident Rights Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information.
Monitor nursing care to ensure that all residents are treated fairly and with kindness, dignity and respect.
Ensure that all nursing service personnel are knowledgeable of the residents' responsibilities and rights including the right to refuse treatment.
Review complaints and grievances made by the resident and make a written/oral report to the Administrator indicating what action(s) were taken to resolve the complaint or grievance.
Follow facility's established procedures.
Maintain a written record of the resident's complaints and/or grievances that indicates the action taken to resolve the complaint and the current status of the complaint.
Report and investigate all allegations of resident abuse and/or misappropriation of resident property.
Ensure that nursing staff personnel honor the resident's refusal of treatment request.
Ensure that such requests are in accordance with the facility's policies governing advance directives.
Budget Keep abreast of economic conditions/situations and recommend to the Administrator adjustments in nursing services that ensure the continued ability to provide quality care.
Ensure the medical supply budget does not exceed approved limit.
Ensure nursing and CNA budget hours do not exceed approved limit.
Ensure nursing service schedule is adjusted as necessary to maintain minimal or no overtime hours.
Provide the Administrator with adequate information to justify increases or overages of budgeted amounts.
Safety and Equipment Ensure that all personnel performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood/body fluids participate in an in-service training program yearly.
Ensure that adequate supplies of personal protective equipment are on hand and are readily available to personnel who perform procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids.
Monitor nursing service personnel to ensure that they are following established safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies.
Ensure that nursing service work areas (i.
e.
, nurses'stations, medication rooms, etc.
) are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner.
Ensure that all nursing service personnel follow established departmental policies and procedures.
Ensure that nursing service personnel participate in and conduct all fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner.
Implement and maintain the facility program for monitoring communicable and/or infectious diseases, including TB, among the residents and personnel.
Ensure that nursing service personnel follow established infection control procedures when isolation precautions become necessary.
Ensure that personnel wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies (i.
e.
, back brace, lifter, etc.
) when lifting or moving residents.
Report and investigate workers compensation claims per facility protocol.
Recommend to the Administrator the equipment and supply needs of the department.
Ensure that a stock level of medications, medical supplies, equipment, etc.
, is maintained on premises at all times to adequately meet the needs of the resident.
Ensure that only trained and authorized personnel operate the department's equipment.
Ensure that all personnel operate nursing service equipment in a safe manner.
Monitor to ensure nursing service supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.
Ensure that personal protective equipment used in the handling of infectious materials is available and easily accessible to nursing service personnel.
Required Skills and Qualifications Preferably has a year of experience as a supervisor in a hospital, long term care facility, or other related health care facility.
Be able to read and follow written directions Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as a Registered Nurse in this state.
Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
Be able to communicate with residents and co-workers in English Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public.
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.
Work overtime as necessary