Director, Nursing

POSITION TITLE:              Director of Nursing (DON)

DEPARTMENT:                  Medical/Nursing

REPORTS TO:                     Executive Director

SUPERVISES:                      Charge Nurses, Staff Nurses, Patient Service Aides

ENTRY LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduate of approved School of Nursing, current State license (RN), two years experience in supervisory capacity and two years experience in chemical dependency treatment or psychiatric nursing.  Previous experience in directing Inpatient/Residential Nursing Unit preferred.

1.         Must be able to continuously sit from 6 to 8 hours per shift.

2.         Must be able to see 20/40 corrected in each eye and hear (hearing aid acceptable).

3.         Must be capable of administering CPR.

4.         Walk within the facility approximately ½ mile per 8 hour shift.

5.         Must be emotionally and physically capable of functioning under stressful situations.

6.         If recovering, must have four (4) years continuous abstinence.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide supervision of nursing staff as well as performing all duties of nursing services; implement policy and procedures regarding supervised withdrawal, and carry out physician’s orders and protocols as directed.  Assure that a full compliment of nursing staff is available to meet the needs of patients.  Participate in Quality/Performance Improvement activities as indicated.   Participate in Infection Control surveillance and prevention.

KEY FUNCTIONS:

1.                  Complete and document an accurate and comprehensive nursing assessment, which concludes with the identification of key findings that needs to be addressed in treatment.

2.                  Accurately assess acuity of withdrawal and intervene according to program policy, procedures, and protocol.

3.                  Accurately conduct mental status and suicide risk screening and initiate consultation/intervention in a timely manner as indicated.

4.                  Establish and maintain rapport with patients and their family members.

5.                  Accurately monitor vital signs (B/P, Pulse, Respirations) and administer medications properly when ordered by physician.

6.                  Perform venipuncture on patients accurately and without harm to patients.

7.                  Administer P.O. medications, IM injections and IV medications, including IV fluids.

Director of Nursing Services - Continued

8.                  Accurately transcribe physician orders, order medication and be accountable with controlled medications.

9.                  Perform routine monitoring and testing, e.g., blood glucose monitoring, audiometric screening, EKG.

10.              Provide health/medical education to patients and family members as appropriate.

11.              Supervise, monitor, and assure quality clinical performance of nursing personnel.

12.              Supervise and participate in timely, accurate patient record documentation pertaining to       nursing assessments, treatment planning, treatment rendered, patient’s response to and progress in treatment, physician’s orders, and other standard documentation activities.

13.              Assure nursing participation in Clinical Team Staffing and staff meetings.

14.              Serve as the facility’s Infection Control Officer. Assure Infection Control Policy’s and Procedures are implemented and maintained.

15.              Monitor and evaluate, in conjunction with the Pharmacist, medication usage reviews.

16.              Assure regular monitoring of patient care equipment.

17.              Serve on the ECPSO and other committees as indicated.

18.              Conduct regular quality/performance improvement monitoring and evaluation activities and serve on Task Groups as needed.

19.              Conduct staff performance evaluations as needed.

20.              Practice the Board of Nursing Standards of Practice.

21.              Assure that the Bradford Health Services Principles of Treatment are actualized in the Nursing Department.

22.              Must maintain a professional demeanor and appearance, must not appear impaired or disoriented, but rather must present coherent and articulate speech, kept appearance, alert, oriented, and responsive to patients' needs and concerns.

23.              Maintain an environment conducive to well-being, safety, and provide health teaching and counseling to patients and staff.

24.              Perform other legal and ethical duties as requested by the Executive Director and the Medical Director.