Director of Nursing (DON)

SUMMARY

Plans, coordinates and manages the nursing department. Responsible for the overall direction, coordination and evaluation of nursing care and services provided to the residents. Maintains for each level of nursing personnel the nursing services philosophy and objectives, standards and practice, policies and procedures, and job descriptions. Provides quality care that is consistent with company and regulatory standards. May be designated to assume responsibilities of daily operations of the facility in the Administrator’s absence.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Provides nursing staff is providing quality and appropriate resident / patient care that meets or exceeds company and regulatory standards.

Assists in the preparation of annual budget for facility. Monitors monthly performance of nursing services in relation to budget and intervenes as needed.

Schedules and performs resident / patient rounds to monitor and evaluate the quality and appropriateness of nursing care.

Maintains administrative authority, responsibility and accountability for the proper charting and documentation of care and of medications and treatments.

Recruits, hires, provide orientation/training, and retain a sufficient number of qualified staff to carry out nursing programs and services. Oversees employee performance meets or exceeds expectations and periodic performance appraisals are conducted on a timely basis.

Disciplines staff in accordance with facility protocols and regulations.

Develops and implements the written staffing plan and nursing schedule that reflects the needs of the resident and resident population.

Confirms all required records are maintained and submitted, as appropriate, in an accurate and timely manner.

Evaluates current and potential residents and patients to confirm facility can provide appropriate level of care.

Evaluates market studies and develops clinical programs to meet the needs of the community.

Maintains regular and ongoing communication with facility Medical Director ensuring programs and care services meet the needs of patients / residents.

Promotes residents’/patients’ rights.

Promotes environment of care standards and regulations applicable to the nursing practice.

Reinforces infection control protocols and regulations.

Applies process improvement methods and techniques; identifies processes for improvement in daily work.

Completes required forms and documents in accordance with company policy and state and/or federal regulations.

Manages all aspects of state or federal government survey processes.

May occasionally be required to perform patient care duties.

 

ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS

Graduate of an accredited school of Nursing, Bachelors of Science in Nursing preferred

Valid State licensure as an RN

Maintains current CPR certification

Additional certification in nursing specialty desired

Two to three (2-3) years of management or supervisory experience in long-term care, acute care, restorative or geriatric nursing preferred

Other certifications as required by State

Proficient in the use of personal computer

 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervises nursing staff and others for whom they are administratively or professionally responsible.

 

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or government regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, nursing/resident/patient progress notes and nursing procedures. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from department heads, customers (residents/patients, responsible parties, family members, physicians, etc.) and the general public. Computer skills preferred.

 

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

Demonstrates active listening techniques; gains support through effective relationships; treats others with dignity and respect; seeks feedback; sets clear standards for performance; evaluates job performance and provides feedback; establishes systems to measure effectiveness; efficiency and service; creates and maintains reporting mechanisms.

 

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute, rate, ratio and percent, ability to draw and interpret bar graphs.

 

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with variety of concrete variables. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions furnished in oral, written, diagram or schedule form.

 

LEADERSHIP SKILLS

Demonstrates willingness to try new tasks, generates new ideas for change, evaluates and recognizes priorities, challenges others to learn, keeps current and integrates new information, communicates and models organization values and fosters high performance.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND ENVIRONMENT

May be required to respond to critical issues on a 24/7 basis. Employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands or fingers, reach with hands and arms, feel, talk and hear. Employee will occasionally assist to lift and / or transfer patients weighing between 100 to 250 pounds. Employee is occasionally exposed to blood or other body fluids, fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. In compliance with applicable law, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions for the position.

 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Participates in (or conducts) company-sponsored training to safeguard against improper use and disclosure of resident’s protected health information. Monitors and oversees facility’s efforts to comply with company policies, procedures and state and federal law. By his / her signature below, employee agrees to adhere to and oversee communication of privacy guidelines relative to the confidentiality of residents' protected health information.

 

JOB DESCRIPTION REVIEW

I understand this job description, its requirements and that I am expected to complete all duties as assigned. I understand the job duties may be altered from time to time.

SALARY RANGE: $145,000 to $150,000 PER YEAR DEPENDING ON EXPERIENCE