The Director of Nursing (DON) plans, organizes, develops and directs the overall operation of the Nursing Department of a life plan community in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.
Essential Activities and TasksOperations Management - 40%- Facilitates nursing best practices operations related to people, processes, and systems to enhance or improve the care of residents and patients.
- Performs administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc. as necessary and ensures that all documentation is informative and descriptive of services and care provided and of the resident's response to the care.
- Ensures that all staff involved in providing care to residents and patients are aware of the care plan/documentation and that care plans are used in administering daily care to residents and patients.
- Monitors all nursing services and care to ensure that all resident care needs are met.
- Monitors medication passes and treatment schedules to ensure that medications and treatment are administered as ordered.
- Ensures that a stock level of medications, medical supplies, equipment, etc. is maintained and secured on premises at all times to meet the needs of the residents and patients.
- Oversees the use of restraints when necessary and in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures.
- Participates in screening potential admissions for care needs and suitability of admission through paper review or on-site visits.
- Attends all-employee and departmental meetings and in-service training as scheduled or as directed.
People Management and Development - 15%- Supervises the Nursing Department at a life plan community.
- Fosters a positive work environment that attracts, retains, and motivates employees.
- Interviews, selects, and orients new direct reports.
- Defines, establishes, and promotes performance expectations so direct reports understand and demonstrate excellence through high quality and consistent performance.
- Evaluates job performance of direct reports in accordance with the company policy and procedure and provides developmental guidance to staff for improved performance and growth.
- Monitors accountability with organization requirements prescribed by the Employee Handbook. Documents and engages employees who are routinely not observing these requirements in an effort to achieve compliance. Works with Human Resources when circumstances arise that necessitate further documentation and intervention.
- Participates in the development, planning, scheduling, conducting, and monitoring of in-service training programs, on-the-job training, and orientation programs for departmental staff.
- Ensures that there is a reasonable and sufficient plan for staffing should a direct report be absent or a direct reporting position be vacant.
- Responds timely and thoughtfully to questions, requests, and work product from departmental staff that has been provided for review and approval.
Financial Management - 15%- Works with the Administrator to develop the budget for the Nursing Department on an annual basis.
- Recommends capital expenditures that will improve quality care and/or safety for the residents, patients, or nursing staff.
- Approves nursing expenditures in accordance with budget.
- Oversees nursing financials on a monthly basis and meets nursing budget. Implements corrective measurements when unexpected costs or reduced revenues occur.
- Oversees RUG/Medicaid Scores.
Care Management and Service Delivery - 10%- Coordinates resident care with other departments, including Culinary, Housekeeping, Laundry, Maintenance, Therapy, Activities, and Social Services to ensure the continuity of care.
- In the absence of the Administrator, serves in an advisory capacity to other department directors, and assumes additional administrative responsibilities.
Resident and Family Relations - 10%- Interacts with residents and patients to ensure that quality care and positive resident/patient and staff relations are taking place.
- Maintains open and trust-building relationships with residents, patients, and family members, responding professionally and promptly to any requests or concerns.
Quality, Compliance, and Risk Management - 5%- Develops, maintains, and periodically updates policies and procedures that govern the day-to-day functions of the Nursing Department in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (i.e. HIPAA, etc.).
- Serves on the Quality Assurance Committee in determining and ensuring quality of care and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies.
- Assists the Infection Control Coordinator and/or committee in identifying, evaluating, and classifying routine and job-related functions to ensure that nursing services tasks involving potential exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identified and recorded.
- Serves on the Safety Committee in determining and ensuring resident and staff safety within the facility and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies.
- Ensures that resident rooms, treatment areas, work areas/equipment are maintained in a clean, sanitary, and safe manner.
- Oversees federal, state, and/or city survey processes and mock surveys.
- Maintains the confidentiality of resident information and honors the residents' personal and property rights.
Strategic Planning - 5%- Provides vision, direction and leadership in regards to planning for the Nursing Department in order to achieve the organization's mission while ensuring sound financial judgment and operating efficiency.
All other duties as assigned.
QualificationsEducation
- Nursing degree from an accredited college, university or vocational school required.
- Additional education in nursing administration or other management courses and specialized training in the care of geriatric or rehabilitative patients required.
- Current unencumbered license for the state of Ohio to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) required.
Experience
- Three years experience in a supervisory role in a hospital, long term care facility, or other related health care facility required.
- Five years experience working as a nurse in a hospital, long term care facility, or other related health care facility required.
- Six months training experience in rehabilitative and restorative nursing practices.
- Proficiency with Windows, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and the internet required.
- Proficiency with electronic medical records (EMR) preferred.
Other Requirements
- Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
Working Conditions and Special Requirements- Sitting - Up to 4 hours/day
- Standing - Up to 8 hours/day
- Walking - Up to 6 hours/day
- Lifting, transferring, pushing or pulling residents/patients or equipment/supplies. - Up to 50 pounds
- Driving - Up to 6 hours/day
- Travel % / Overnight Travel - Occasional
- Work weekends, evenings, and holidays. - As needed for oversight
- On-call availability - 24/7 for emergencies
- Subject to falls, burns from equipment, odors, and cuts. - Work day
- Subject to residents/patients with various disease processes. - Occasional
- May be exposed to infectious waste, disease, conditions, etc. including exposure to the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses. - Work day
- Risk Category for Exposure to Bloodborne Diseases - I
