Director Of Nursing

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Nursing (DON) is responsible for the overall administration, management, supervision, and coordination of the facility's nursing department. The DON ensures that residents receive high-quality, safe, compassionate, and individualized nursing care in accordance with federal and Connecticut state regulations, established clinical standards, and facility policies and procedures.

The DON provides leadership and direction to all nursing personnel, oversees daily nursing operations, ensures appropriate staffing levels, monitors clinical outcomes, and promotes a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous quality improvement.

The DON is also responsible for providing leadership coverage outside regular business hours, participating in the facility's on-call schedule and weekend leadership rotation, and ensuring continuity of nursing operations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Clinical Leadership and Resident Care

• Direct and supervise all nursing services to ensure the delivery of quality resident care.

• Ensure nursing assessments, care plans, treatments, medications, and interventions are completed accurately and timely.

• Monitor residents' clinical conditions and ensure significant changes are promptly communicated to attending physicians and the medical director.

• Conduct regular clinical rounds to evaluate resident care, identify concerns, and ensure compliance with established standards.

• Oversee clinical programs, including wound care, fall prevention, infection prevention, pressure injury prevention, and medication management.

• Ensure appropriate admission, transfer, and discharge nursing processes.

• Promote resident dignity, safety, independence, and rights.

2. Staffing and Personnel Management

• Oversee recruitment, interviewing, selection, and retention of nursing personnel in coordination with the Administrator and Human Resources.

• Oversee nursing schedules to ensure adequate staffing coverage on all shifts.

• Monitor staffing levels and ensure compliance with Connecticut and federal staffing requirements.

• Ensure appropriate nursing supervision and assignment of responsibilities for all shifts.

• Conduct regular performance evaluations and address performance concerns through appropriate coaching and disciplinary action.

• Ensure all nursing personnel maintain required licenses, certifications, competencies, and mandatory training.

• Develop and implement orientation and ongoing education programs.

• Hold nursing leadership and staff accountable for attendance, punctuality, professionalism, and job performance.

3. Regulatory Compliance and Survey Readiness

• Ensure compliance with Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and applicable federal and state regulations.

• Maintain continuous survey readiness and ensure nursing policies and procedures are current and implemented.

• Lead nursing department preparation for annual surveys, complaint investigations, and other regulatory inspections.

• Participate in the development and implementation of Plans of Correction (POCs).

• Ensure deficiencies identified during surveys or internal audits are addressed promptly and corrective measures are sustained.

• Maintain accurate and complete nursing documentation and medical records.

• Ensure timely investigation, documentation, and reporting of accidents, incidents, allegations of abuse, neglect, and other reportable events.

4. Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement

• Monitor clinical indicators, including falls, infections, pressure injuries, rehospitalizations, weight loss, and medication errors.

• Identify trends and implement corrective action plans to improve clinical outcomes.

• Conduct regular audits of nursing documentation, medication administration, treatment records, and care plans.

• Monitor nursing department performance and ensure accountability at all levels.

• Participate in interdisciplinary meetings and quality improvement committees.

5. Department Administration and Financial Management

• Develop, implement, and maintain nursing department policies, procedures, and standards of practice.

• Oversee nursing department operations and ensure efficient utilization of personnel and resources.

• Monitor nursing labor expenses, overtime, agency utilization, and staffing productivity.

• Work with the Administrator and scheduling department to control labor costs while maintaining appropriate resident care and regulatory compliance.

• Participate in the development and monitoring of the nursing department budget.

• Ensure appropriate inventory and utilization of nursing supplies and medical equipment.

6. On-Call Responsibilities and Weekend Rotation

• Participate in the facility's scheduled weekend leadership rotation.

• Participate in the nursing department's on-call rotation and remain available outside regular business hours when assigned.

• Respond promptly to after-hours calls involving clinical emergencies, staffing shortages, significant resident care concerns, and operational matters.

• Provide direction and support to nursing supervisors and management staff during evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

• Ensure appropriate nursing leadership coverage and continuity of operations during weekends and other assigned coverage periods.

• Report significant after-hours incidents, staffing concerns, and clinical issues to the Administrator.

• Assist with resolving urgent staffing and clinical matters to ensure uninterrupted resident care.

7. Communication and Interdepartmental Collaboration

• Maintain effective communication with the Administrator, Medical Director, attending physicians, and department directors.

• Collaborate with Human Resources regarding recruitment, employee relations, performance management, and staff retention.

• Participate in daily operational meetings and interdisciplinary care conferences.

• Address resident and family concerns related to nursing services in a timely and professional manner.

• Maintain open communication with nursing supervisors and department personnel.

• Provide regular updates to the Administrator regarding nursing operations, staffing concerns, clinical issues, and regulatory risks.

8. Emergency Preparedness and Risk Management

• Ensure nursing personnel understand and follow emergency preparedness procedures.

• Participate in facility emergency drills and ensure nursing staff are properly trained.

• Oversee appropriate clinical responses to emergencies and changes in residents' conditions.

• Identify potential risks related to resident care and implement preventive measures.

• Ensure appropriate documentation and follow-up of incidents and accidents.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Current, active, and unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Connecticut.

• Previous experience as a DON or ADON in a skilled nursing facility.

• Meet Connecticut regulatory education and experience requirements for a Director of Nursing in a skilled nursing facility.

• Experience with CMS surveys, Connecticut DPH inspections, QAPI, and Plans of Correction.

• Previous nursing leadership or management experience in a skilled nursing or long-term care facility strongly preferred.

• Strong knowledge of federal and Connecticut nursing home regulations.

• Demonstrated ability to manage, supervise, and develop nursing personnel.

• Experience with nursing department scheduling, staffing, budgeting, and performance management.

• Strong organizational, communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills.

• Proficiency in electronic medical records and Microsoft Office applications.

• Ability to participate in the facility's on-call and weekend leadership rotation.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

The Director of Nursing is expected to:

• Maintain consistent regulatory compliance and survey readiness.

• Ensure appropriate nursing staffing and supervision across all shifts.

• Demonstrate measurable improvements in clinical quality indicators.

• Reduce preventable incidents, falls, infections, and rehospitalizations.

• Maintain effective nursing department leadership and employee accountability.

• Monitor overtime and agency utilization while maintaining quality resident care.

• Address resident and family concerns promptly.

• Maintain professional communication and collaboration with facility leadership.

• Fulfill assigned on-call responsibilities and weekend leadership rotation requirements.

• Ensure timely responses to after-hours clinical, staffing, and operational concerns.