Director of Nursing

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Director of Nursing is responsible for the administration and management of the nursing department to residents in accordance with orders of the physicians and total needs of the residents. Responsible for 24-hour supervision of the nursing department and direction to the nursing department to maintain quality standards of care in accordance with current Federal, State and Company standards, guidelines and regulations. In absence of the Administrator, assumes the responsibility for the facility.   The position conducts the nursing process – assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation – under the scope of the State’s Nurse Practice Act of Registered Nurse licensure.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assumes ultimate responsibility for coordinating plans for the total care of each resident which comply with physician’s orders, governmental regulations and facility resident care policies;

Develops, maintains and upgrades nursing department objectives, standards for nursing practice, nursing procedure manuals and written job descriptions for each level of nursing personnel.

Participates in the recruitment, selection, hiring, orientation, training and dismissal of nursing personnel.

Assists in controlling nursing service hours and supply costs, including recommendation for the number and type of nursing personnel to be employed and nursing service equipment and supply needs.

Participates in admission and discharge planning for residents.

Promotes a safe environment within the facility, which includes fire and accident prevention, maintenance of sanitary conditions and assurance that all nursing personnel understand their roles in the event of a disaster or other disruption of services.

Participates in admission and discharge planning for residents.

Supervisory and Management Responsibilities

Oversees the development of the nursing department structure and roles of each position.

Establishes and manages goals and objects for the nursing department through analysis and strategic planning consistent with the company mission.

Understands and affects the role of the nurse leader with staff through effective team building, motivation, change management, efficient time management, delegation, stress management and effective and timely communication.

Develops and periodically updates statements of philosophy and objectives that define the type of nursing          care the facility proposes to provide. Ensures that these are understood and implemented by nursing personnel

Facilitates collegial relationships among nurse managers and other healthcare professionals.

Hires, educates and counsels a nursing leadership team to participate in clinical oversight.

Maintains and evaluates an environment that empowers and supports nurse managers in problem solving and in decision-making to address identified issues.

Designs systems of share governance in clinical practice and accountability.

Ensures availability of nursing leadership team members to accommodate staff education; to address resident care issues; to meet with family members unavailable during routine shift hours.

Attends quality and operation reviews for the center with Administrator and Corporate Staff

Participates in meetings and conducts rounds with the Administrator and Corporate Staff.

Provides leadership to the facility in the absence of the Administrator.

Staff Development

Ensures professional staff hold current licenses in the state of practice; that non-licensed nursing personnel providing care delivery hold current certifications after the fourth month of hire; and all nursing personnel including purchased services or contracted services providing care have criminal background checks and appropriate TB screening.

Plans staff development programs that will enhance staff knowledge of quality resident care.

Ensures effective departmental orientation and on-the-job training for new nursing employees.

Ensures personnel are adequately educated to care for acute events, chronic illnesses of the frail elderly, cognitive impairment, end of life, and hospice care. In some settings, post-acute services / programs may dictate additional specialized education and competencies.

Completes performance appraisals for all direct reports in accordance with the Company protocols; oversees completion and reviews performance appraisals of all nursing department personnel.

Ensures mandatory in-service are provided annually, including but not limited to abuse prevention, documentation guidelines, corporate compliance and safe business practices, blood borne pathogens, and exposure control plan.

Ensures staff is educated on the survey process and regulatory requirements.

Utilizes corporate, community and vendor resources to provide educational opportunities for nursing personnel.

Conducts staff meetings on all shifts at least monthly.

Demonstrates developmental action to encourage and prepare nursing staff for advanced practice responsibilities or nurse management roles.

Provides 24-hour “on call” service to the nursing center in case of emergency.

Financial Management

Collaborates with the Administrator in preparing the annual nursing budget using corporate guidelines to ensure adequate resources for staffing, supplies and capital items needed for resident care.

Utilizes payroll reports in managing and monitoring the staffing of the nursing department.

Ensures adequacy of supplies and equipment for current need and projects future cost impact.

Oversees the operation of the nursing department in accordance with the approved budget through effective use of corporate and facility financial reports.

Using the monthly P&L and other available reports, monitors PPDs, trends outcomes, documents variances and communicates corrective action plans to Administrator.

Assists in planning, coordinating, and conducting continuing education programs and special in-service training sessions relevant to the needs of department personnel.

Staffs the department with capable people

Ensures that employees are adequately oriented and trained to perform their duties

Reviews employee performance annually and makes recommendations for pay increases, promotions or performance improvement plans as deemed appropriate

Establishes and maintains effective two-way communication to understand the needs and concerns of employees.

Recommends changes in policies and practices wherever employee needs are not being met.

Receives, investigates and responds to employee complaints

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing preferred or the equivalent in related work experience

Must possess a current, valid Texas State Nursing License as a registered professional nurse, in good standing.

3+ years of experience in nursing service administration

Additional education or experience in such areas as rehabilitative or geriatric nursing is preferred

Must possess strong knowledge of state, federal and local regulations as they pertain to long term care.

Must be available to be on call 24 hours a day

Must be able to adjust to changes in unit / shift assignments

Must meet health assessment requirements.

Must be able to communicate verbally and in writing in English

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds without assistance and 51 - 100 pounds with assistance

Must be able to sit, stand, walk, bend / stoop, squat / crouch / kneel, reach and pull / push

Physical Demands – Office

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms and pull / push; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must lift and / or move up to 50 pounds without assistance and 51-100 pounds with assistance.   Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus

Work Environment –   Office

This job operates in a professional office environment with minimal exposure to dust, chemicals or   noise. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.