The Director of Nursing Services assumes full time administrative and clinical authority, responsibility and accountability for the delivery of nursing services in the facility. Manages employees in the provision of care and services according to professional standards of nursing practice, consistent with facility philosophy of care and state and federal laws and regulations. Develops and implements policies and procedures consistent with current law. In collaboration with Nursing Home Administrator, allocates department resources in an efficient and economic manner to enable each resident to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental and psycho-social well being. Collaborates with other departments, professionals, consultants, and organizations, including government agencies and advocacy groups, to develop support and coordination of resident care, related administrative functions and to represent the interests of the facility. Makes daily rounds on unit to supervise, observe, examine, interview residents, to evaluate staffing needs, to monitor regulatory compliance, to achieve the care environment and to evaluate staff interactions and clinical skills competency. Develops and maintains nursing policies and procedures that reflect current standards of nursing practice and facility philosophy of care consistent with state and federal laws and regulations. Communicates and interprets policies and procedures to nursing staff. Monitors practice for effective implementation. Reviews 24 hour report from every unit daily to ensure timely, effective responses to significant changes in condition, transfers, discharges, use of physical or chemical restraints, unexplained injuries, potential abuse or neglect, medication errors, loss of resident property, any evidence of resident or family dissatisfaction. Gathers and analyzes facts, assesses situations, develops and implements appropriate actions to investigate, to notify appropriate parties, to resolve issues and to record facts properly. Keeps Nursing Home Administrator informed of findings and results. Communicates directly with residents, families, medical staff, nursing staff, interdisciplinary team members and Department Heads to coordinate care and services, improve organization and implementation of plans of care, to maintain quality of care, quality of life and a homelike environment for all residents. Establishes and implements infection control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary and comfortable environment and to prevent the development and transmission of disease and infection. Reviews infection control surveillance reports to identify trends and to develop effective actions to control and prevent infections in the facility. Includes infection control information and statistics in Quality Assessment and Assurance Committee report. Monitors the provision of care and services to residents on all shifts and evaluates regulatory compliance efforts through daily rounds to observe care on units, to review records and to interview staff members, residents, families and other interested parties. Evaluates the findings of compliance rounds conducted by designated facility staff on a daily basis. Designs, implements and evaluates actions to continuously improve quality. Participates directly in the dining process. Conducts quality assessment and assurance activities, including regulatory compliance rounds, in all departments to monitor performance and to continuously improve quality. Develops program to gather and analyze data for trends and to institute actions to resolve Evaluates effectiveness of actions. Participates as member of Quality Assessment and Assurance Committee with the Medical Director and at least three other facility staff members. Reports and makes recommendations to Quality Assessment and Assurance Committee. Evaluates effectiveness of actions. Participates as member of Quality Assessment and Assurance Committee with the Medical Director and at least three other facility staff members. Reports and makes recommendations to Quality Assessment and Assurance Committee. Supervises development of in-service education programs designed to equip nursing staff with sufficient knowledge and skills to provide nursing and nursing related services to each resident to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental and psycho-social well-being and to perform the essential functions of their jobs satisfactorily. Supervises MDS and Care Planning process. Assists Nursing Home Administrator with preparation for long term care survey. Actively participates in long term care survey process by instructing staff in matters of conduct and disclosure, maintaining a presence at all times surveyors are on-site and directing the timely collection of information required by the survey team. Demonstrates concern for identified problems and undertakes effective action while survey is in progress if appropriate. Gathers and presents supplemental documentation to avoid potential deficiencies. Collaborates with Nursing Home Administrator to develop responses to survey report as needed. Collaborates with physicians, consultants, community agencies and institutions to improve quality of services and to resolve identified problems. Consults with Nursing Home Administrator daily about resident status, census, budget, personnel and other relevant issues. Participates in the development of the department budget. Provides relevant financial information to Nursing Home Administrator regarding department financial needs and status. Develops staffing plans that assure sufficient numbers of qualified, competent nursing staff to meet direct care needs, conducts assessments as required, develops plans of care, evaluates residents' responses to interventions and documents clinical records effectively in compliance with state and federal requirements. Recommends numbers and types of nursing personnel necessary to provide care and to maintain compliance with facility mission and with regulations. Hires and retains qualified competent nursing staff to provide nursing and nursing related services to attain or maintain highest practicable physical, mental and psycho-social well-being of each resident. Conducts interviews, provides regular performance reviews, takes appropriate job actions, reviews job actions taken by subordinates to assure that staff meet qualification and performance standards and can perform all essential functions of the job. Ensures 24 hour availability as nursing administration resource by providing on-call and telephone access or designating an alternative, qualified nursing staff member to do so. Maintains current skills and knowledge through continuing education. Applies information to job responsibilities. Education/Training/Work Experience: Education: Graduate of an accredited school of nursing. Baccalaureate degree preferred. Certificate/Licenses: Current, active license as Registered Nurse in Pennsylvania. Active CPR Certification required. Work Experience: Two years professional nursing experience in long-term care setting. One year experience in nursing service administration or comparable management experience preferred. Freedom from illegal use of drugs, and freedom from use and effects of use of drugs and alcohol in the workplace. Persons who have been found guilty by a court of law of abusing, neglecting or mistreating individuals in a health care related setting are ineligible for employment in this position.