Director of Nursing - Ambulatory Surgery Center

Job description

The Director of Nursing (DON) reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer and Medical Director. This position supervises and directs nursing care and all related activities of the Surgery Center according to their policies, procedures, philosophy and objectives.

Position Scope:

This individual’s responsibilities include management of the clinical services, all aspects of environmental control, staff personnel, assistance to surgeons, materials and equipment, and all administrative duties. It also includes delegation of responsibilities and duties to staff personnel and maintaining a cost-effective system of management.

This position requires flexibility in work hours to meet the needs of the facility; may include work in evenings, after normal business hours, and on weekends as needed.

Position Functions:

• Administration: Ensures proper functioning of all Clinical, Quality Improvement, Risk Management, and Infection Control areas of the Surgery Center and personnel.

• Patient Care: Supervises and is responsible for all nursing care given to patients within the Surgery Center.

• Orientation and In-service: Provides an orientation program which is comprehensive and informative and provides increased education and technical opportunities for all staff members.

• Safety: Provides a safe environment for patients and personnel.

• Materials and Equipment: Provides and controls materials, supplies and equipment for successful operation of the clinical areas of the Surgery Center.

• Personnel: Provides adequately trained and sufficient number of personnel to assist the surgeon and render safe preoperative and postoperative patient care.

• Communication: Interacts well with staff, all other areas of the facility - including physicians, patients, vendors, and all Management Personnel.

• Quality Improvement: Continuously analyzes and evaluates all nursing services to improve quality of patient care.

• Accountability: Retains accountability for all nursing care given and all related aspects of clinical areas and its personnel.

• Maintenance/Environmental Services: Coordinates activities and personnel for maintenance, medical equipment and cleanliness of the clinical areas

Position Activities:

• Develops and revises, as necessary, a nursing policy and procedure manual and secures the approval of the Medical Director.

• Assists in establishing and periodically reviewing personnel policies for the staff.

• Applies policies of the Surgery Center to insure consistent quality of nursing care.

• Responsible for seeing that Quality Improvement reports are filled out and filed in a timely manner.

• Selects and recommends clinical applicants to the Administrator as vacancies occur.

• Implements actions to accomplish administrative functions in a timely manner.

• Responsible for the delegation of patient teaching, orientation and follow-up.

• Initiates yearly written evaluations on OR, Employee Health/Education/Infection Control, QI, Materials Management, Pre-Op/PACU Charge Nurse.

• Promotes a good working relationship between the OR, Pre-Op, Recovery and Business Office staff.

• Remains alert to changes in patients’ condition that may require emergency procedures and acts as the coordinator of activities in an emergency.

• Provides for adequate professional staff in the facility to insure safe care for all patients.

• Delegates responsibility of each operating room to professional nurses for immediate patient care.

• Maintains a program of orientation which is comprehensive and informative.

• Directs a program of in-service education with regard to purpose, context and need.

• Insures staff attendance at in-service meetings and other Surgery Center meetings.

• Controls traffic to prevent infection.

• Supervises the scheduling and daily assignments of OR personnel. Evaluates and completes time-off requests of OR personnel.

• Evaluates all aspects of policies, procedures, schedules, job descriptions and evaluations with staff to determine quality and possible methods of improvement.

• Discusses with staff new trends and is open to suggestions for improvements.

• Observes staff in daily duties with regard to practices and procedures and possible improvements.

• Effectively and efficiently manages clinical services to insure quality service is provided for patients and physicians.

• Maintains accurate and timely documentation of clinical activities.

• Responsible for coordinating nursing personnel with surgeons and anesthesiologists to meet the needs of the daily OR/Procedure Room schedule.

• Conducts staff meetings to provide open communication between staff and management.

• Coordinates purchasing and anticipates needs to provide optimum patient care.

• Supervises and delegates the care, cleanliness and good working conditions of the OR equipment and supplies to insure sterility and operational ability of all items.

• Responsible for scheduling routine and emergency maintenance on all equipment under contract and keeping maintenance contracts current.

• Directs and delegates control of inventories to ensure proper amounts are available for correct operation of the clinical and environmental services areas.

• Evaluates needs for new and different items in regard to present and new trends and in response to the needs of the Surgery Center.

• Ensures proper temperatures, ventilation and lighting to provide as comfortable a working environment as possible.

• Provides and ensures use of checking and control methods for determination of a safe environment.

• Responsible for overseeing the ordering of all drugs including controlled drugs.

• Coordinates compliance with fire and safety regulations. Coordinates quarterly safety drills with Administrator and maintains records.

• Performs other duties as needed to ensure the safety and comfort of all customers as well as the efficient operation of the facility.

Education and Experience:

• Must be a Registered Nurse (RN) with a valid license in the state of Texas.

• Must have at least three (3) years of working experience in a surgical facility and be knowledgeable in all aspects of surgical nursing (Pre-Op/PACU/Circulating); Experience as an OR Manager/Supervisor is required.

• Must have demonstrated administrative ability in surgical nursing situations, and be skilled in dealing with routine and emergency procedures.

Personal:

Must be a mature, well-adjusted person who gets along with others and is able to work with others to accomplish common goals. Should be skilled in organization and coordination of efforts and personnel and in the maintenance of interpersonal relationships. Must be able to show good judgment and initiative and be alert, adaptable and persistent to detail. Since the duties may demand odd hours, this individual must be able to maintain a flexible schedule.

The contents of this description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being formed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $130,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)

• 401(k) matching

• Dental insurance

• Employee discount

• Health insurance

• Life insurance

• Paid time off

• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Are you willing to undergo a background check, in accordance with local laws and regulations?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Nurse Management: 3 years (Preferred)

• Surgery Center: 3 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• Registered Nurse, Texas RN License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Houston, TX 77024 (Required)