Director of Nursing

JOB DESCRIPTION

Must be available on a 24-hour basis as needed for guidance of resident and staff needs. Requires good human relations in communication are required. Needs to be assertive and motivated to be effective in management.  

Must have the ability to initiate specific nursing judgment in individual patient care treatments. Must ensure the nursing department meets the requirements set forth in Federal and State regulations. Requires the capacity of participating in various departmental, clinician, educator, personnel manager and controller of quality roles.

Responsible for overall management of the facility when the administrator is not on the premises or unavailable.

Salary Range $110,000 to $145,000 a year based on licensure and experience

OBJECTIVE

To provide the pinnacle of excellence in patient care by establishing a professional philosophy of gerontological nursing
Nursing service maintains a qualified staff to meet the physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs of all patients. The Director of Nursing is responsible for establishing the overall objectives of nursing and providing administrative guidance and support of facility goals, policy, and chain of command.

We need a hands-on Director of Nursing who is excited to:

✔ Be on the floor
✔ Coach and mentor staff in real time
✔ Build a team of compassionate, committed nurses
✔ Set the tone for positive, accountable culture

If you’re someone who leads by example and doesn’t mind rolling up your sleeves—you’ll fit right in. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Establish objectives, plans, and programs
Develop and implement policies and procedures
Define and assign responsibilities
Communicate and collaborate with medical directors
Evaluate and audit departmental operations
Assess staff development needs
Develop and implement recruitment and retention programs
Demonstrate techniques – oversee care planning and delivery
Counsel and promote staff – perform team member evaluations
Serve as a role model – share and implement new knowledge
Collect data on unusual occurrences – provide safe and clean environment for patient and staff
Assure competency and health of staff
Counsel families, patients, and solve problems where indicated
Function as resident care coordinator
Chart auditing is done in an orderly fashion (see chart audit schedule for details), and includes new admissions and unstable conditions.
Daily nursing rounds are made at 9:30 a.m. to confirm census, staffing, and to monitor patient environment.
The Director of Nursing takes all calls-off Monday – Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., and recruits and replaces staff call-off for improved and more concentrated patient care.
The responsibilities for supportive documentation from doctors for those team members who frequently call off or show a pattern developing is another aspect the Director of Nursing deals with on a daily basis. Tardiness and lateness are also involved and disciplinary action is initiated (i.e., pink slips, team member counseling forms) on this level and given to the DON.
Daily flow sheets are written daily. Each flow sheet is to be accurate and well staffed.
The schedule is written biweekly, taking into consideration, vacations, requested days off, quality points, birthdays and personal days for each team member.
Daily absentee slips are held until the team member calls back and confirms he or she will be well enough to work. On these slips, show pertinent information communication and action taken i.e., doctor’s statement, no restrictions needed, pink slips issued or team members did call.
Personal request forms, birthday, vacation, leave of absence, change of status, and change of data are filled out by team members; Director of Nursing initials for staffing monitoring system (SMS), making notations for the schedule if necessary.
 
QUALIFICATIONS
Must be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing and have a current license in the state in which he/she is practicing.
Management skills, including planning, organizing, directing, and controlling that are needed to oversee the functioning of the facility
Communication skills and follow-up capabilities are a necessity
Gerontological certification should be achieved within two years