TITLE: Director of Nursing

SUPERVISOR: Executive Director

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

The (DON) is responsible for directing, administering and monitoring Daggett Crandall Newcomb Home’s wellness program in respect to overseeing health, nutrition and dietary needs, activities of daily living, medication supervision, and assessing safety concerns of the residents. This individual will serve as liaison to families, physicians, nurse practitioners, health care agencies, emergency response teams and hospitals and rehab facilities. The DON supervises all certified nursing assistants and nurses. A crucial aspect of this role is to provide strong leadership and to guide all direct care staff toward the goal of a positive, engaged, and professional culture at Daggett Crandall Newcomb Home.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Sensitive to issues of aging, needs of the dementia residents/participants and diverse populations.
• Sensitive to issues of grief, loss and guilt family members experience through placing a loved one in a facility.
• Ability to follow written and spoken English.
• Ability to be flexible with work assignments, other departments and schedule changes.
• Ability to work as a team player, promoting good relations with other departments, staff, residents and families.
• Strong leadership and management qualities – ability to set clear expectations and ensure they are met.
• Ability to deal with wide ranging personnel issues while motivating staff to provide industry standard care to clients and residents.

SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Licensed Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; advanced degree in health services.
• 3-4 years’ experience with geriatric/dementia population.
• At least 4 years’ experience supervising C.N.A.’s or Home Health Aides.
• Excellent organizational skills and demonstration of strong clinical assessment skills.
• Knowledge of community support services.
• Experience in Assisted Living and Day Program preferred.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Evaluates, trains, and supervises direct care staff in activities of daily living, hygiene, nutrition, and infection control to ensure the providing of quality care consistent with Assisted Living and dementia care guidelines.
• Administers, documents and monitors the medication administration program and distribution of medications to residents.
• Documentation and monitoring of medicines, health records, medical information, dementia evaluation history and current records reflecting resident’s physical and mental health.
• Has direct oversight and responsibility for scheduling and assignments of other Nursing Staff and CNA Staff.
• Monitors and communicates medical issues, program changes, family concerns and staff issues to all other shift managers and CNA staff.
• Oversees implementation of quality control/monitoring procedures to ensure that resident care staff performs their routine duties during all shifts.
• Coordinates emergency response plan and emergency service for residents, training staff on all shifts for appropriate response to emergencies and company policies.
• Monitors and assesses health status of residents, triage emergency situations, and coordinates the delivery of medical or nursing care with certified home health agencies, nurse practitioners, physicians, and rehab services.
• Acts as a liaison to families, physicians and health agencies regarding changes and status in resident’s health and medication issues.
• Assists the Executive Director with pre-occupancy screening, assessment and quarterly reassessment of resident and resident’s service plan in conjunction with family and other appropriate staff.
• Takes an active role in care planning with the Executive Director, other departments, outside service providers and families. Directs resident care staff to implement changes and achieve goals of the care plan.
• Monitors and assures structure of activity programs including dining and toileting routine, monitoring of staff and care.
• Participates actively in staff orientation, recruitment, initial training and ongoing staff education programs to comply with Assisted Living regulations. Completes yearly evaluations of CNA and Nursing staff.
• Coordinates wellness activities for residents including vital signs, weights, nutritional monitoring and resident education programs regarding health issues. Trains staff in the usage of adaptive equipment needs of the residents and monitors use.
• Investigates resident and employee incidents, identifies safety hazards and reports to Executive Director to institute corrective action.
• Shares in the responsibility of maintaining an environment that is conducive to the safety, security, physical and emotional well-being and cognitive support of the residents.
• Oversees the Administrative Assistant efforts to maintain inventory of medical supplies, personal care and incontinent needs;
• Works with Executive Director and other departments to maintain Nursing operating budget.