Director of Nursing
Job Summary
The Director of Nursing manages the Nursing Department with high professional and personal standards. He/She plans, organizes, coordinated and directs all the nursing functions for professional and nonprofessional nursing personnel to ensure the highest quality of care is provided in a cost-effective manner with the residents in the facility. This is done in an efficient and timely manner with consideration for both health care and legal responsibilities of the residents, the facility and the employees.
The Director of Nursing exercises administrative authority, responsibility, responsibility and accountability for nursing service objectives, policies and procedures, nursing functions and activities, nursing care, and the nursing staff and their training.
The Director of Nursing is responsible to the Administrator of the facility and works in conjunction with the managing company nursing coordinator.
Education
He/She must be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing currently registered with the state agency for nursing licensure and hold a valid nursing license in the state he/she is employed.
Qualifications
1. Demonstrates leadership and managerial ability.
2. Has the ability to organize, plan and supervise the Nursing Department in coordination with other resident services.
3. Demonstrates the ability to lead the Nursing Department in a cost effective, professional manner.
4. Maintains effective interpersonal relationships.
5. Is capable of implementing changes mandated by Federal, State and management suggestions.
6. Is of good emotional, mental and physical health, having sound judgement and high professional standards.
7. Is courteous in working with residents, families and employees.
8. Maintains a neat, well-groomed and professional appearance at all times.
9. Has a desire to work with the geriatric residents and their current and prospective needs.
10. Must be willing to be in the facility working with the staff of each shift at varying times.
11. Must be willing to be in and/or available to the facility weekend as well as weekdays.
12. Must demonstrate ability to follow recommendations as designated by the Corporate Nursing Consultant.
13. Must demonstrate ability to evaluate the geriatric resident’s needs and implement systems to meet those needs.
14. Must demonstrate ability to evaluate nursing staff needs and implement systems to assure staff education is provided to provide quality care.
15. Must demonstrate the ability to function as a cooperative team member with all disciplines in the facility.
16. Must demonstrate the ability to manage Nursing Department within designated staffing and supply budget.
17. Is willing and capable of providing emergency care as needed for any resident in the facility.
18. Must have a pre-employment and an annual Tuberculosis screening examination.
Responsibilities
1. Evaluate, plan and organize nursing care according to established policies.
2. Assists in pre-screening, room assignments and discharge of residents.
3. Sees that a nurse accompanies all physicians making rounds and that all orders are carried out.
4. Supervise all nursing activities and promotes improvement in nursing care.
5. Makes round on all residents daily.
6. Coordinates nursing service with other departments.
7. Maintains accurate reporting and recording according to policies and procedures, evaluates and makes recommendations for improvements for the welfare of the resident.
8. Maintains comfortable and pleasant environment and promotes elimination of hazards.
9. Sees that supplies are available in proper quantities, that equipment is available in good condition, and that personnel using such supplies and equipment know where such are to be found and know the proper care and use.
10. Receives thorough reports from Charge Nurses on all shifts and works closely with them to insure maximum total care.
11. Gives daily report on conditions in nursing service to the Administrator.
12. Responsible for assuring accurate recording of medications and narcotics according to procedures.
13. Participates in nursing care as needed and is responsible for the direct handling of any emergency situation which may arise.
14. Is responsible for the overall Assessment and Interdisciplinary Care Planning process.
15. Makes rounds daily, implements interventions as indicated.
16. Sees that all personnel on the shift are oriented to the duties assigned to them.
17. Assigns personnel according to various skills in relation to resident needs.
18. Stimulates interest and attitudes in personnel to develop understanding of and encourage health and restorative nursing practices.
19. Gives guidance to personnel as needed, evaluates performance, discusses progress and needs for improvement, and prepares evaluation of performance as directed.
20. Prepares and posts time schedules at least two weeks in advance of days being scheduled.
21. Sees that personnel are familiar with fire drill regulations and procedures and disaster plan.
22. Assists in interpreting the goals and objectives of the facility to nursing service personnel.
23. Assists with interviewing, evaluating and selecting new personnel.
24. Defines duties and interprets policies of nursing service.
25. Verifies time worked on personnel time cards and necessary.
26. Conducts orientation and educational programs for nursing personnel.
27. Arranges and conducts staff meetings monthly.
28. Promotes effective working relationships with the administrator, medical staff, personnel, volunteers, and agencies, and management staff affiliated with the facility.
29. Delegates responsibility and authority.
30. May terminate undesirable personnel according to policy.
31. Any other responsibilities as discussed and designated by the Administrator of the facility.
Physical Demands
Use the percentages range as follows:
0%-Never 1-33% Occasional 34-66% Frequent 67-100% Continuous
Requires full range of body motion including:
1. Standing/walking: frequently -worker will be standing or walking during entire tour of duty.
2. Bending/stooping: frequently – will be bending and stooping as he/she assesses residents/care, etc..
3. Lifting/handling: frequently – Worker will be lifting and handling residents as supervises, assists, assesses residents/care, etc.
4. Carrying: frequently -worker will be carrying equipment and supplies as supervises, assists, assesses residents/care being provided. Range of Weight: 1-50 pounds.
5. Push/pull: frequently -worker will be pushing and pulling equipment and supplies as supervises, assists, assesses residents/care being provided. Range of weight 1-50 pounds.
6. Balancing: Occasionally -worker will be balancing as supervises, assists, assesses residents/care being provided, etc.
7. Twisting/turning: Frequently – worker will be twisting and turning as supervises, assists, assesses residents/care being provided, etc.
8. Crouching/stooping: Occasionally -worker will be crouching or stooping as supervises, assists, assesses residents/care being provided, etc.
9. Kneeling: Occasionally – worker will be kneeling as supervises, assists, assesses residents/care being provided, etc.
10. Reaching: -Occasionally -worker will be reaching as supervises, assists, assesses residents/care being provided, etc.
A. Greater than shoulder height: frequently B. Equal to shoulder height: frequently C. Less than shoulder height: frequently
11. Handling/manual dexterity: Continuously -Both fine and gross motor skills are needed for all tasks throughout the working day.
12. Speaking/hearing/seeing: Continuously -must be able to communicate with co-workers, residents and visitors, families, and physicians.
Job Location
Must work throughout all areas of the facility. May require working irregular hours and may be exposed to communicable diseases and/or body fluids, medical preparations, toxic substances and occasionally ionizing radiation.
