Director of Nursing

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Working under the direction of the Senior Director and receiving clinical support from the primary physicians, performs the following:

1. Oversees Quality management of Program Nursing Services as they pertain to the needs of clients served by CRI and is responsible for assurance that nursing standards of practice are met.

1. Provides supervision and support to Program RN’s in adult residential and day programs. Ensure LPN’s are provided supervision and direction.

1. Ensures all clients are provided with a high quality of services and care for health and safety to current medical standards.

1. In conjunction with the Senior Director, maintains minimal licensing deficiencies in all programs and 100% active treatment in all ICF/MR facilities to meet State and Federal regulatory requirements and ensures that Nursing best practices are utilized.

1. Ensures that all Program RNs and LPNs receive proper orientation and in-service training respective to their positions.

1. Ensures that evaluations of Program RNs are completed in a timely manner.

1. Attends seminars and workshops to keep abreast of trends affecting medical care of the clients. Attend seminars, workshops and private provider meetings to keep abreast of trends affecting medical care of the clients and any DDS changes, directives or advisories as necessary

1. Meets with Program RNs and RN HSCs on a prearranged schedule to provide direct supervision.

1. Reviews pharmacy issues and pharmacy quarterlies with Program RN on a regular basis. Follow up as necessary.

1. Conducts QA audits and observations in all programs.

1. Ensures all Nursing Assessments and Discharge Summaries have all clients’ needs addressed and are submitted in a timely manner.

1. Work with Program RN and Program Directors to ensure that consultants address the medical needs of clients and consultants. Ensure consultant recommendations are addressed timely.

1. Review incoming applications, conduct interviews and make recommendations to the Senior Director of Adult Services for the hiring of new employees.

1. In conjunction with the Senior Director of Adult Services completes the monthly on-call schedule and provides medical on-call coverage on a rotating basis.

1. Monitors medical systems in programs to ensure consistency across program sites.

1. Keeps Senior Director of Adult Services aware of all pertinent medical information on clients and issues with staff.

1. Meets with Senior Director of Adult Services as needed for supervision and direction.

1. Ensures nursing staff complete nursing assessments, monitor any and all medical intervention for clients including documentation; attend appointments as necessary; ensure clients receive all medical follow up as recommended by treating physicians.

1. Ensures that all DDS Medication Certification paperwork is completed and on file. Work with the Senior Director of Adult Services, Program Directors and Training Department to maintain consistency with Medication Sanctions and Medication Sanction process.

1. Ensures that performance outcomes are met for all medical needs for adult programs. Develops and implements action plans to rectify know problems.

Evaluates action plan outcomes and makes adjustments to the plans, as needed.

1. Completes monthly medical RN on-call schedule and provides on call coverage as needed.

1. In conjunction with the Senior Director of Adult Services and Program Directors, develop/recommend systems to ensure coordination between programmatic and nursing disciplines.

1. Review and implement systems and policy/procedure to enhance quality medical services as needed.

1. Work with Senior Director of Adult Services, Program RN’s, Program Directors and the Training Department to enhance staff development in medical areas as needed.

1. Work with the Senior Director of Adult Services, Program RN’s, Program Directors and the Training Department to maintain consistency with medication sanctions and the medication sanction process.

1. Create a nurturing, positive learning environment and develop strategies to help the clients cope effectively with social, emotional and physical situations of daily living and facilitate independent performance in these areas.

1. Participate in training opportunities (in-service training, staff meetings, conferences, etc.), as required; maintain all required training per agency policy and DDS regulatory requirement.

1. Conduct oneself in a professional manner when interacting with supervisors, coworkers, consultants, families and members of the community.

1. Perform other work related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor, and / or other management as required.

1. Familiarize oneself with CRI Policies and Procedures, ensuring compliance with same.

1. Maintains confidentiality inside and outside the agency in all aspects of the client’s needs/problems and any issues that arise in any of the programs and adheres to CRI’s confidentiality policy.

1. Maintains confidentiality inside and outside the agency regarding any issues concerning another employee.

EDUCATIONAL/PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

1. CT. Registered Nurse License

2. Minimum of five years’ experience as a Registered Nurse in the field of Developmental Disabilities with an emphasis in supervisory experience.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

1. Commitment to the philosophy of community based services, integration and the values of client centered services.
2. Must possess a valid CT driver’s license, be able to drive own and agency vehicles and have a good driving record. Suitable transportation.
3. Residence located within appropriate distance for crisis response.

SUPERVISORY SKILLS

PERSONAL SKILLS

1. Recognize, identify and quantify real or true problems.

2. Develop and implement action plans to rectify known problems.

3. Effectively evaluate action plan outcomes and make adjustments to such plans as needed.

4. Understand, utilize and maintain Agency systems and operations.

5. Generate and develop new ideas to improve existing systems and operations.

6. Seek suggestions and new ideas from individuals and teams, and be able to provide feedback and/or develop such ideas when presented.

7. Present new ideas, programs and systems in a positive manner and build commitment towards successful implementation.

8. Acknowledge, listen and respond to individual concerns.

9. Establish trust and build rapport by communicating in a non-threatening manner.

10. Orally communicate to all levels of staff or groups in a clear, confident, concise and organized manner without being intimidating or superior.

1. Communicate in writing so that the reader(s) clearly understand the communication and the document presents your ideas in a logical manner.

MANAGMENT SKILLS

1. Knowledgeable of Agency Policy and Procedures and all relevant Municipal, State and Federal licensing regulations.

2. Ensures that assigned employees comply with all relevant Agency Policies and Municipal, State and Federal licensing regulations.

3. Appropriately delegates authority and responsibility.

4. Monitors and tracks assignments given to staff for completion, accuracy and timeliness.

5. Develops staffing schedules and assignments and ensures that they meet the needs of the Agency from a regulatory, administrative and budget perspective.

6. Ensures that all staff assigned to the program is trained and competent per Agency Policies and Procedures.

7. Conducts regularly scheduled staff meetings.

8. Establishes expectations for staff in terms of performance that ensures consumers receive the highest quality of services.

9. Provides on-going feedback to employees assigned regarding the quality of their work, compliance with Agency Policies and personal development needs.

10. Establishes an environment within the program where employees assigned are motivated, engaged, and provide on-going communication to the Supervisor regarding ways to improve services provided to clients.

11. Takes total responsibility for the operation of the program or service from an administrative, management and budgetary perspective.

12. Implements Agency Policy on progressive discipline in a fair and consistent basis.

FACILITATION AND TRAINING

1. Develop individual and organizational talents, skills and competencies through coaching, feedback and reinforcement.

2. Empower individuals and teams by developing a sense of job and project ownership through communication of clear expectations, providing adequate resources, delegating responsibility and coaching while allowing the individuals and teams the opportunity to expand their scope of responsibility within clearly defined limits.

3. Provide meeting leadership, management and facilitation.

4. Conduct negotiations by establishing a position of openness and trust, keeping disagreements issue oriented, presenting opposing positions in an organized manner, and working to achieve true collaboration wherever possible.