Director of Nursing (DON)

The primary purpose of your job position is 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 directed by the Administrator and the Medical Director, to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND JOB FUNCTIONS

• Administrative Functions

1.

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 nursing care facilities.

2.

Develop, maintain, and periodically update the written policies and procedures that govern the day-to-day functions of the nursing service department.

3.

Maintain a reference library of written nursing material (i.e., PDR’S, Regulations, Standards of Practice, etc.) that will assist the nursing service department in meeting the day-to-day needs of the residents.

4.

Develop, maintain, and periodically update the Nursing Service Procedures Manual and nursing service objectives and philosophies.

5.

Develop and implement a nursing service organizations structure.

6.

Make written and oral reports / recommendations to the Administrator, as necessary / required, concerning the operation of the nursing service department.

7.

Develop, maintain, and periodically update written job descriptions for each level of nursing personnel in accordance with pertinent laws and regulations.

8.

Develop methods for coordination of nursing services with other resident services to ensure the continuity of the residents’ total regimen of care.

9.

Develop, implement, and maintain an ongoing quality assurance program for the nursing service department.

10.

Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as necessary or as may be directed.

11.

Assist the Quality Assessment & Assurance Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies.

12.

Assist the Discharge Planning Coordinator in developing, implementing and periodically updating the written procedures for the Discharge Planning Program.

13.

Assist the resident and Discharge Planning Coordinator in planning the nursing services portion of the resident’s discharge plan.

14.

Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc., as necessary.

15.

Monitor the facility’s QI, QM, and survey reports. Assist in developing plans of action to correct potential or identified problem areas.

16.

Assist in calculating the number of direct nursing care personnel on duty each shift. Report such information to the Administrator or his / her designee to ensure that accurate staffing information is posted.

17.

Agree not to disclose assigned user ID code and password for accessing resident / facility information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the Administrator.

18.

Agree to not disclose resident’s protected health information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the Administrator.

19.

Report any unknown or suspected unauthorized attempt to access facility’s information systems.

1.

Serve on, participate in, and attend various committees of the facility as appointed by the Administrator.

2.

Evaluate and implement recommendations from established committees as they may pertain to nursing services.

3.

Assist the Pharmaceutical Services Committee in developing, maintaining, implementing, and periodically updating written policies and procedures for the administration, storage, and control of medications and supplies.

4.

Schedule, attend, and participate in developing the agenda for Care Plan Committee meetings as necessary.

5.

Participate in regularly scheduled reviews of the Discharge Plans and make such plans available to the Care Plan Committee as required or as may be necessary.

1.

Determine the staffing needs of the nursing service department necessary to meet the total nursing needs of the residents.

2.

Recommend the number and level of nursing personnel to be employed.

3.

Assist the Administrator and / or the HR Dept. in the recruitment and selection of nursing service personnel.

4.

Ensure that all nursing assistants are enrolled in or have graduated from an approved training program.

5.

Assign a sufficient number of licensed practical and / or registered nurses for each tour of duty to ensure that quality care is maintained.

6.

Assign a sufficient number of CNA’s for each tour of duty to ensure that routine nursing care is provided to meet the daily nursing care needs of each resident.

7.

Ensure that all nurse aide trainees are under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse.

8.

Develop work assignments and schedule duty hours, and / or assist nursing supervisory staff in completing and performing such tasks.

9.

Delegate to nursing service supervisory personnel the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary to perform their assigned duties.

10.

Assist the HR Dept. in developing performance evaluation schedules, criteria, and annual reviews for the nursing services department (e.g., RN’s, LPN’s, CNA’s, medication aides, etc.).

11.

Make daily rounds of the nursing service department to ensure that all nursing service personnel are performing their work assignments in accordance with acceptable nursing standards.

12.

Monitor absenteeism to ensure that an adequate number of nursing care personnel are on duty at all times.

13.

Develop, maintain, and periodically update the written procedure for ensuring that professional nursing personnel, including private duty nurses, have valid and current licenses as required by the State.

14.

Review complaints and grievances made or filed by department personnel.

15.

Provide complaint / grievance reports to the Administrator as required or as may be necessary.

16.

Ensure that departmental disciplinary action is administered fairly and without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, religion, handicap, or marital status.

17.

Assist the Infection Control Coordinator in establishing a TB management program for employees.

18.

Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents.

19.

Perform background checks on nursing service personnel in accordance with established procedures.

20.

Ensure that all CNA’s credentials are verified through the State Nurse Aide Registry.

21.

Ensure that appropriate adverse personnel actions relative to CNA’s employment criteria are reported to the State Nurse Aide Registry.

22.

Terminate employment of personnel when necessary, documenting and coordinating such actions with the HR Director and / or Administrator.

23.

Report known or suspected incidents of fraud to the Administrator.

24.

Ensure that departmental computer workstations left unattended are properly logged off or the password protected automatic screen-saver activates within established facility policy guidelines.

1.

Participate in the interviewing and selection of residents for admission to the facility, including PASARR screenings.

2.

Provide the Administrator with information relative to the nursing needs of the resident and the nursing service department’s ability to meet those needs.

3.

Inform nursing service personnel of new admissions, their expected time of arrival, room assignment, etc.

4.

Ensure that rooms are ready for the new admissions.

5.

Greet newly admitted residents upon admission. Escort to room as necessary. Schedule physician visits as necessary.

6.

Make rounds with physicians as necessary. Schedule physician visits as necessary.

7.

Encourage attending physicians to record and sign progress notes, physicians’ orders, etc., on a timely basis and in accordance with current regulations.

8.

Ensure that direct nursing care be provided by a licensed nurse, a CNA, and / or a nurse aide trainee qualified to perform the procedure.

9.

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.

10.

Schedule daily rounds to observe residents and to determine if nursing needs are being met in accordance with the president’s request.

11.

Monitor medication passes and treatment schedules to ensure that medications are being administered as ordered and that treatments are provided as scheduled.

12.

Provide direct nursing care as necessary.

13.

Authorize the use of restraints when necessary and in accordance with our established policies and procedures.

14.

Ensure that resident who are unable to call for help are checked frequently.

1.

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.

2.

Develop, 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.

3.

Provide leadership training that includes the administrative and supervisory principles essential for Nurse Supervisors / Charge Nurses.

4.

Encourage the nesting supervisory staff to attend and participate in outside training programs. Schedule times as appropriate.

5.

Assist the Administrator in developing and revising the nursing assistant training curriculum used by the facility. Submit to state agency for approval as required.

6.

Assist the In-service Director / Educator in developing annual facility in-service training programs (e.g., OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, Infection Control, etc.).

7.

Assist the In-service Director / Educator in developing advance directive in-service training programs for the staff and community.

8.

Assist support services in developing, implementing, and conducting in-service training programs that relate to the nursing services department.

9.

Assist the In-service Director / Educator in the development of in-service training programs for the nursing staff. Ensure that these programs meet the continuing education requirements that allow licensed personnel (e.g., RN’s, LPN’s, CNA’s, etc.) to keep their licenses on an active status.

10.

Attend and participate in continuing educational programs designed to keep you abreast of changes in your profession, as well as to maintain your license on a current status.

1.

Assist the Safety Officer in developing safety standards for the nursing service department.

2.

Ensure that the department’s policy and procedure manuals identify safety precautions and equipment to use when performing tasks that could result in bodily injury.

3.

Assist the Infection Control Coordinator in identifying, evaluating, and classifying routine and job-related functions to ensure that tasks in which potential exposure to blood / body fluids are properly identified and recorded.

4.

Ensure that all personnel performing tasks that involve potential exposure to bloody / body fluids participate in appropriate in-service training programs prior to performing such tasks.

5.

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.

6.

Monitor nursing service personnel to ensure that they are following established safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies.

7.

Ensure that nursing service work areas (i.e., nurses; stations, medicine preparation rooms, etc.) are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner.

8.

Ensure that all resident care rooms, treatment areas, etc., are maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner.

9.

Ensure that all nursing service personnel follow established departmental policies and procedures, including appropriate dress codes.

10.

Ensure that nursing service personnel participate in and conduct all fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner.

11.

Assist the Infection Control Committee in the development, implementation and revising of written aseptic and isolation techniques.

12.

Develop, implement and maintain a program for monitoring communicable and / or infectious diseases, including TB, among the residents and personnel.

13.

Ensure that nursing service personnel follow established infection control procedures when isolation precautions become necessary.

14.

Develop, implement, and maintain a procedure for reporting hazardous conditions or equipment.

15.

Ensure that personnel wear and / or use safety equipment and supplies (e.g., back brace, mechanical lifts, etc.) when lifting or moving residents.

16.

Report missing / illegible labels and MDSs to the safety officer or other designated person.

1.

Recommend to the Administrator the equipment and supply needs of the department.

2.

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.

3.

Assist the Maintenance Director in developing a preventive maintenance program for maintaining the nursing service department’s equipment and supplies in a safe and operable manner.

4.

Develop and implement procedures for the safe operation of all nursing service equipment.

5.

Ensure that only trained and authorized personnel operate the department’s equipment.

6.

Ensure that all personnel operate nursing service equipment in a safe manner.

7.

Develop and implement procedures that ensure nursing service supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.

8.

Ensure that personal protective equipment used in the handling of infectious materials are available and easily accessible to nursing service personnel.

9.

Ensure that appropriate MDSs are on file for hazardous chemicals used in the nursing service department.

1.

Assist in the development of preliminary and comprehensive assessments of the nursing needs of each resident.

2.

Develop a written plan of care (preliminary and comprehensive) 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.

3.

Encourage the resident and his / her family to participate in the development and review of the resident’s plan of care.

4.

Assist the Resident Assessment / Care Plan Coordinator in the scheduling of care plans and assessments to be presented and discussed at each committee meeting.

5.

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 prior to administering daily care to the resident.

6.

Review nurses’ notes to determine if the care plan is being followed.

7.

Assist the Resident Assessment / Care Plan Coordinator in planning, scheduling, and revising the MDS, including the implementation of RAPs and Triggers.

8.

Ensure that resident assessment information is transmitted on a timely basis.

9.

Review and revise care plans and assessments as necessary, but at least quarterly.

10.

Develop and maintain a good rapport with all services involved with the care plan to ensure that a team effort is achieved in developing a comprehensive plan of care.

11.

Ensure that medical and nursing care is administered in accordance with the resident’s wishes, including the implementation of advance directives.

1.

Prepare and plan the nursing service department’s budget and submit to the Administrator for his / her review, recommendations, and / or approval.

2.

Keep abreast of economic conditions / situations, and recommend to the Administrator adjustments in nursing services that ensure the continued ability to provide quality care.

3.

Recommend to the Administrator the equipment and supply needs of the nursing service department.

4.

Report suspected or known incidence of fraud relative to false billings, cost reports, kickbacks, etc.

1.

Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information including protected health information. Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information.

2.

Monitor nursing care to ensure that all residents are treated fairly, and with kindness, dignity and respect.

3.

Ensure that all nursing care is provided in privacy and that the nursing service personnel knock before entering resident’s room.

4.

Ensure that all nursing service personnel are knowledgeable of the residents’ responsibilities and rights including the right to refuse treatment.

5.

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.

6.

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.

7.

Ensure that appropriate notices are given to residents before their room or roommate is changed.

8.

Report and investigate all allegations of resident abuse and / or misappropriation of resident property.

9.

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.

10.

Ensure that the facility’s policies and procedures governing advance directives are reviewed with the resident and / or representative.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to fulfill each essential duty with a strong degree of professionalism.   This position requires a detail-oriented professional with excellent communication skills. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and / or ability required.

Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university.

Management experience in a Long-Term care setting.

LANGUAGE / REASONING AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

Must possess ability to speak, read and write English effectively.

Must possess emotional maturity, reliability, tact, integrity, and good judgment.

Must possess an understanding of facility’s goals and philosophy.