DIRECTOR OF NURSING

Description

PURPOSE OF YOUR JOB POSITION:

The primary purpose of your job position is to plan, organize, develop and direct the overall operation of our Nursing Services Department in accordance with current federal, state and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern our facility, and may be directed by the President/CEO and Administrator, to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY:

As the Director of Nursing Services, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties. You are charged with carrying out the resident care policies established by this facility.

JOB FUNCTIONS:

Every effort has been made to make your job description as complete as possible. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is a logical assignment to the position.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION:

A criteria-based performance evaluation will be done using components of this job description and documentation of your daily activities.

Major Duties and Responsibilities -

1. ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS:

1.1 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.

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

  1.3 Develop, maintain and periodically update the Nursing protocols and nursing service objectives and philosophies.

1.4 Provide oversight to the Quality Assurance Manager in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies.

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

  1.6 Develop, maintain and periodically update written job descriptions for each level of nursing employees.

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

1.8 Maintain a reference library of written nursing material (i.e., PDR'S, Nursing Drug Handbooks, Federal and State Regulations, etc.) that will assist the nursing service department in meeting the day-to-day needs of the resident.

1.9 Ensures ongoing compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including CMS Conditions of Participation, F-Tags, infection prevention requirements, and state licensure standards.

1.10 Develop and implement a nursing service organization structure.

1.11 Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the President/CEO as necessary/required, concerning the operation of the Nursing Services Department.

1.12 Ensures compliance with facility policies and regulatory requirements regarding abuse, neglect, exploitation, misappropriation of property, and mandatory reporting obligations.

1.13 Conducts or oversees investigations involving resident allegations and concerns in collaboration with the Administrator.

COMMENTS:  

2. COMMITTEE FUNCTIONS:

2.1 Chair, serve on, participate in, and attend whichever capacity necessary, on various committees of the facility (i.e. Infection Control, Safety, QAPI, PIPS, Nursing Leadership, Competency Fair), as required. Including identification of performance indicators, implementation of performance improvement projects, and monitoring of outcomes.

2.2 Provide written and/or oral reports of the nursing service programs and activities as required, or as may be directed by such committee(s).

2.3 Develop, maintain, implement and periodically update written policies and procedures for the administration, storage, and control of medications and supplies.

2.4 Attend and participate in Care Plan meetings as necessary.

2.5 Evaluate and implement recommendations for established committees as they may pertain to nursing services as requested.

COMMENTS:  

3. EMPLOYEE FUNCTIONS 

3.1 Determine the staffing needs of the Nursing Services Department necessary to meet the total nursing needs of the residents.

3.2 Monitors staffing patterns and acuity levels to ensure adequate clinical coverage and regulatory compliance.

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

3.4 Assign a sufficient number of nursing assistants for each shift to ensure that routine nursing care is provided to meet the daily nursing care needs of each resident.

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

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

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

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

3.9 Review complaints and grievances made or filed by department employees.

3.10 Make appropriate reports as required or as may be necessary, including departmental performance evaluations.

3.11 Counsels nursing employees to maintain compliance with approved standards/guidelines for nursing care.

3.12   Monitor Progressive Disciplinary Policy and Procedures in a timely and fair manner. Promote improvement of behavior or attitudes whenever possible. 

3.13 Conducts performance appraisals at three (3) months and twice a year. 

3.14 Completes and maintains necessary paperwork for employee records.

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

3.16 Develops and implements strategies for recruitment, retention, employee engagement, succession planning, and reduction of agency staffing utilization.

COMMENTS:  

4. NURSING CARE FUNCTIONS:

4.1 Participate in the selection of residents for admission to the facility.

4.2 Provide information related to the nursing needs of the resident and the nursing services department's ability to meet those needs.

4.3 Review nurses' notes to ensure that they are informative and descriptive of the nursing care being provided and that they reflect the resident's response to the care.

4.4 Make rounds, in the absence of the Assistant Director of Nursing, with physicians as necessary.

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

4.6 Periodically monitor medication passes and treatment schedules to assure that 

medications are being administered as ordered and those treatments are provided as scheduled.

4.7 Provide direct nursing care as necessary.

4.8 Rotate in weekend rounds and on call schedule as necessary. 

4.9 Ensures compliance with regulations governing restraint use and promotes restraint-free care whenever possible.

COMMENTS:

5. STAFF DEVELOPMENT:

5.1 Participates in the development, implementation and maintenance of an effective orientation program that orients the new employee to the facility, its policies and procedures and to his/her job position and duties.

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

5.3 Encourage the nursing supervisory staff to attend and participate in outside training programs. 

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

5.5 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.

COMMENTS:  

6. SAFETY AND SANITATION:

6.1 Assist the Safety Officer in developing safety standards for the Nursing Services Department.

6.2 Monitor nursing service employees to assure that they are following established safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies.

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

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

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

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

6.7 Collaborates with the Infection Preventionist to ensure implementation of the Infection Prevention and Control Program (IPCP), antibiotic stewardship initiatives, outbreak management, and communicable disease reporting requirements.

6.8 Develop, implement and maintain a program for monitoring communicable and/or infectious diseases among the residents and employees.

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

6.10 Ensures compliance with employee health screening and immunization requirements in accordance with applicable regulations and facility policy.

6.11 Provide oversight for the influenza vaccinations for staff, contract staff, and residents as needed.

COMMENTS:  

7. EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES:

7.1 Recommends to the Director of Operations the equipment and supply needs of your unit.

7.2 Assure that a stock level of medications, medical supplies, equipment, etc., is always maintained to adequately meet the needs of the residents.

7.3 Assist the Director of Operations in developing a preventive maintenance program for maintaining the Nursing Department's equipment and supplies in a safe and operable manner.

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

7.5 Ensure that only trained and authorized employees operate the department's equipment.

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

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

COMMENTS:  

8. PLAN AND ASSESSMENT FUNCTIONS:

8.1 Ensure the development of preliminary and comprehensive assessments of the nursing needs of each resident as required by regulations.

8.2 Ensure the development of a written plan of care (preliminary and comprehensive as required by regulations) 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 along with target goal dates.

8.3 Direct the staff responsible for the care plan process to encourage the residents to actively participate in the development and review his/her plans of care.

8.4 Ensure that all employees involved in providing care to the residents are aware of the care plan and that care plans are used in administering daily care to the residents.

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

8.6 Ensure care plans are reviewed, revised and goals are updated according to regulations and as needed. 

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

COMMENTS:  

9. BUDGET AND PLANNING FUNCTIONS:

9.1 Prepare and plan the Nursing Services Department's budget and submit it to the Finance Director for his/her review, recommendations and/or approval.

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

9.3 Recommend to the Operations Director the equipment needs of the Nursing Service Department.

COMMENTS:  

10. RESIDENT RIGHTS:

10.1 Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information.

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

10.3 Ensure that all nursing care is provided in privacy and that nursing service employees knock before entering the resident's room.

10.4 Ensure that all nursing service employees are knowledgeable of the residents' rights and responsibilities per policy.

10.5 In conjunction with the Administrator review complaints and grievances made by the resident and make a written/oral report to the President/CEO indicating what action(s) were taken to resolve the complaint or grievance.

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

COMMENTS:  

11. MISCELLANEOUS:

11.1 As is reasonable have all nurse aides enrolled in or graduated from an approved training program with a future goal of 100% certification.

11.2 Chairs Infection Control Committee 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. 

11.3 Assure that all employees performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood/body fluids participate in an in-service training program prior to performing such tasks.

11.4 Develop and revise the Nurses' Aide Training curriculum used by the facility. Submit to state agency for approval as required.

COMMENTS:  

WORKING CONDITIONS:

· Works in office area(s) as well as throughout the nursing service area (i.e., medication rooms, nurses' stations, resident rooms, etc.).

· Sits, stands, bends, lifts and moves intermittently during working hours.

· Is subject to frequent interruptions.

· Is involved with residents, employees, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.

· Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, employees, and visitors.

· Communicate with the medical staff, nursing employees and other department supervisors.

· Works beyond normal working hours, on weekends and holidays when necessary.

· Is involved in community/civic health matters/projects as appropriate.

· Attends and participates in continuing education programs.

· Is subject to falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday.

· May be exposed to infectious waste, disease, conditions, etc., including the AIDS and Hepatitis B Viruses.

· Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, support departments, etc., to adequately plan for the residents' needs.

· Must be able to work the required hours for the position.

· Must be able to adhere to all policies of Saint Simeon's.

Requirements

EDUCATION:

· Must possess, as a minimum, a Registered Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university.

EXPERIENCE:

· Must have, as a minimum, three (3) years’ experience as a supervisor in a hospital, long-term care facility, or other related health care facility.

· Preferably to have, as a minimum, six (6) months’ training experience in rehabilitative and restorative nursing practices.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

· Must possess a current, unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse in this state.

· Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.

· Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

· Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with employees, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/employees, and the public.

· Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to long-term care.

· Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with professional and non-professional employees. Serves as a member of the facility leadership team and participates in strategic planning initiatives. Promotes a culture of resident-centered care, accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement. Models’ professional behavior and ethical nursing practice. Oversees clinical risk management initiatives including falls, pressure injuries, infections, medication errors, elopements, abuse prevention, and adverse event investigations. Ensures appropriate reporting, documentation, trending, and follow-up of incidents and accidents. Utilizes data analytics, quality metrics, and clinical outcomes to drive operational and clinical decisions. Ensures accurate, timely, and complete clinical documentation supporting resident care, quality measures, reimbursement, and regulatory compliance and collaborates with the MDS department regarding assessment accuracy, care planning, and reimbursement optimization.

· Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures, etc., that are necessary for providing quality care.

· Must have patience, tact, cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents.

· Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.

· Must be able to relate information concerning a resident's condition.

 Must be in the on-call rotation and assist in working the floor if the community is short staffed 

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

(With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

· Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday. 

· Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner. 

· Must be able to cope with mental and emotional stress. 

· Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

· Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, employees, and support agencies. 

· Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability. 

· Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility. 

· Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

· Must be willing to perform tasks that may involve exposure to the resident's blood/body fluids. 

· Must be able to assist with resident evacuation.