Director of Nursing (DON)

Southern Hills Rehab Center -

Director Of Nursing

General Purpose :

To manage the overall operations of the Nursing Department in accordance with Company policies, standards of nursing practices and governmental regulations so as to maintain excellent care of all residents’ needs.

Essential Job Functions

This facility expects their employees to promote an atmosphere of teamwork with other employees and hospitality and comfort for its residents.

Therefore, the following list of duties is not all-inclusive :

Administrative Functions

• Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized governmental agencies.
• In the absence of the Administrator and Assistant Administrator (if applicable), assume responsibility of the facility.
• Oversee the employee health program in cooperation with the Medical Director and Staff Development Coordinator.
• Monitor the Level of Care Reports, Dietary Consultant Reports, and Pharmacy Consultant Reports and take appropriate actions.
• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate and direct the nursing services department, as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long-term care facility.
• Assume administrative authority, responsibility and accountability for all functions, activities, and training of the nursing department.
• Organize, develop, and direct the administration and resident care of the nursing service department

Meeting Functions

• Participate in Department Supervisor Meetings, Resident Care Plan Meetings, Budget Committee Meetings, Safety Committee Meetings, Quality Assessment and Assurance Committee Meetings, In-service Education, Family Council and any other meeting as directed by the Administrator.
• Meet monthly with staff on each shift.
• Meet daily with Director of Admissions / Marketing, Business Office Manager, and Administrator regarding admission and placement of proposed residents.

Evaluate prospective residents in terms of the nursing service they need and the capability of the facility to supply the needed service.

• Participate in coordination of resident services through departmental and appropriate staff committee meetings.
• Meet monthly with nursing staff regarding Chart Audit and Physician’s orders. Review audit with Medical Records prior to submitting to Administration.

Personnel Functions

• Interview, orient, train, evaluate and supervise nursing department personnel.
• Delegate to nursing service supervisory personnel the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary to perform their assigned duties.
• Make daily rounds of the nursing department to verify that all nursing service personnel are performing their work assignments in accordance with acceptable nursing standards.
• Provide that departmental disciplinary action is administered fairly and without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or marital status.
• Cooperate with the ADON to determine staffing requirements based on current needs and State and Federal guidelines
• Provide appropriate departmental in-service education programs in compliance with Corporate, State and Federal guidelines.
• Work closely with Administrator in resolving grievances with nursing staff, family members, and residents.

Nursing Care Functions

• Perform nursing services and deliver resident care services in compliance with Corporate policies and State and Federal regulations.
• Inform state of any reportable incidents within appropriate time frames. Complete investigative analysis as required.
• Inform nursing service personnel of new admissions, their expected time of arrival, room assignment, etc.
• Greet newly admitted residents upon admission. Escort to room as necessary.
• Make rounds with physicians as necessary. Schedule physician visits as necessary.
• Schedule daily rounds to observe residents and to determine if nursing needs are being met in accordance with the resident’s request.
• Monitor medication passes and treatment schedules to verify that medications are being administered as ordered and that treatments are provided as scheduled.
• Provide direct nursing care, as necessary.
• Regularly inspect the facility and nursing practices for compliance with federal, state, and local standards and regulations.
• Study Infection Control Reports, Medication Incident Reports and Resident Incident Reports for corrective action.
• Keep Administrator informed on a daily basis of nursing department functions, recommending changes in techniques or procedures for a more efficient operation.
• Promote favorable working conditions and relationships with administration, medical staff, consultants, other departments, residents, family members, volunteers, agencies, and any other individual or group affiliated with the facility.
• Review discharge summaries on a timely basis.

Safety and Sanitation

• Monitor nursing service personnel to verify that they are following established safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies.
• Provide that all nursing service personnel follow established departmental policies and procedures, including appropriate dress codes.
• Be on call for emergencies that supervisory personnel cannot handle.
• Assure proper handling and emergency care of residents, personnel, and visitors while on the job or in the building.
• Assure residents a comfortable, clean, orderly and safe environment.
• Comply with, support and enforce Company policies involving all safety and infection control procedures to include the proper use of mechanical lifts and gait belts.

Equipment and Supply Functions

• Monitor stock level of medications, medical supplies, equipment, etc., to verify they are maintained on premises at all times to adequately meet the needs of the resident.
• Create and implement procedures for department equipment to be operated only by trained, authorized personnel in a safe manner.
• Develop and implement procedures for nursing supplies to be used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.
• Work closely with Central Supply to be sure changes are made on a timely basis and that inventory is current and medical-nursing supplies are adequate on the nursing stations.

Care Plan and Assessment Functions, Documentation

• Verify that medical and nursing care is administered in accordance with the resident’s wishes, including the implementation of advance directives.
• Assist with development of and approve final version of the Interdisciplinary Plan of Care for each resident in coordination with the physician, Medical Director, nursing staff, and outside consultants (i.

e., nursing, dietary, pharmacy, therapists, etc.) and in accordance with corporate, state and federal guidelines.

• Confirm accurate completion of forms / reports for the admission, transfer and / or discharge of each resident including, but not limited to, the nursing portion of the PAE, Initial Nursing Assessment, Minimum Data Set (MDS), Resident Care Plan, and the Annual MDS.
• Review and verify that documentation procedures for nursing are met according to corporate, state and federal guidelines.
• Review nurses notes to confirm 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.
• Review Quality Indicator reports and submit to Vice President of Clinical Services on a monthly basis.

Budget and Planning Functions

• Assist in preparing and planning the nursing service department’s budget and submit to the Administrator for his / her review, recommendations, and / or approval.
• Recommend to the Administrator the equipment and supply needs of the nursing department.
• Be conscious of cost and attempt to provide quality staff for the nursing department within budgetary constraints.

Minimum Qualifications

• Registered nurse in good standing with required current state license.
• Significant technical experience and demonstrated leadership / management skills
• Minimum two (2) years experience in geriatrics / long-term care.
• Restorative care philosophy, excellent professional skills (both assessment and hands-on), and good communication and organizational skills
• Working knowledge of long-term care regulations
• Relate positively and favorably to residents, families, and government regulators, and to work cooperatively with other employees at all levels.
• Relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times hostile people within the facility.
• Basic computer knowledge and ability to learn computer software.
• Function independently, and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.
• Perform the essential job functions of this job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Working Conditions

• Subject to frustrations in meeting work demands due to frequent interruptions.
• Fast paced, required to make decisions quickly
• Involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies / personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.
• May work beyond normal duty hours, on weekends, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.
• Subject to call-back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).
• Subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
• May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals

Physical and Sensory Requirements

• Assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations
• Meet general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which may include a medical and physical examination.

Sitting

1-2 hours per 8 hour work shift. Alternates frequently to walking.

Walking

5-6 hours per 8 hour work shift. Alternates frequently to standing and occasionally to sitting.

Standing

1-2 hours per 8 hour work shift. Alternating frequently to walking and occasionally to sitting.

Key : Rarely 5% Occasionally 0% - 33%; Frequently 33% - 66%; Constantly 66% - 100%

Rarely would most likely occur in emergency situations only)

Lifting : WEIGHT

WEIGHT

FREQUENCY

OBJECTS

1-10 lbs

Constantly

Resident charts, books, supplies and equipment

11-20 lbs

Occasionally

Supplies and equipment

21-35 lbs

Rarely

Equipment, boxes of supplies

36-50 lbs

Rarely

Transfer of resident, ambulation of residents, and equipment

51-75 lbs

Rarely*

Transferring of residents

Carrying : WEIGHT

WEIGHT

FREQUENCY

OBJECTS

1-10 lbs

Constantly

Resident charts, books, supplies and equipment

11-20 lbs

Rarely

Supplies and equipment

21-35 lbs

Rarely

Equipment, boxes of supplies

Bending : Occasionally

Squatting : Rarely

Kneeling : Rarely

Climbing : Rarely

Reaching : Occasionally

Grasping : Occasionally

Fine Manipulation : Continuously

Driving : Rarely

Exposure Determination Information :

Numbers 1 through 3 indicate the risk potential of your exposure to blood or body fluids. Established procedures identify the appropriate personal protective equipment that you should use when performing tasks.

The following numbers indicate your risk potential :

It is highly likely that while performing functions of this job, there will be tasks that will require you to be exposed to blood or body fluids.

This job does not normally involve contact with blood and / or body fluids but while performing the tasks associated with this job, it may be necessary for you to perform a task that involves exposure to blood or body fluids.

This job does not typically involve exposure to blood or bodily fluids. However, if the employee is trained in first aid / CPR, this may entail some exposure risk.

The position of Director of Nursing has an exposure determination of

EMPLOYMENT AT WILL : It is the express policy and intent of this facility that the employment relationship is one created and governed by the continuing will of both parties.

I understand and agree that my employment is for no definite period and may, regardless of the date of payment of my wages and salary, be terminated at any time without prior notice and without cause by either party, unless provided otherwise by a written agreement signed by the President of this company.

NONDISCRIMINATORY STATEMENT : This facility does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, color, creed, sex, age, disability, marital or veteran status with regard to employment.