Director of Nursing (DON)

Position Summary

The DON leads and manages the nursing department and is ultimately accountable to ensure the highest quality nursing care is received by residents. The DON interprets nursing policies and procedures in collaboration with the Director of Clinical Services to support the provision of nursing care and delegated medical care. All work is performed and guided by the Residents’ Bill of Rights and abides by the facility Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program. The major challenges of this position are the recruitment and retention of qualified licensed and non-licensed personnel.

Essential Responsibilities And Duties

• Oversee hiring, terminating and development of nursing staff.
• Monitors job performance and performance evaluations of nursing staff, completes performance evaluations of Assistant Director of Nursing Services, Restorative Care Coordinator, Care Plan Coordinator, Medical Records Clerk, Nurse Supervisors, all Nursing Direct Care Partners and recommends employee promotions and terminations to the Administrator.
• Monitors ongoing staff development programs for all nursing personnel.
• Monitors the staffing levels of various nursing sections; directs staff rotations and reschedules personnel to meet increased or decreased nursing service demands.
• Develops nursing service objectives, policies and procedures and directs their implementation.
• Continuously monitors Federal and State guidelines and requirements; revises departmental procedures accordingly.
• Recommends in-service educational programs geared to the specialized needs of geriatric patients.
• Functions as a liaison between the elders, their families, staff, and the public - responding to inquiries and providing information on nursing care and services and may screen prospective elders to assure that staff has the ability to provide the care needed.
• Assures that there is compliance with the regulations pertaining to care plans and elder assessments.
• monitors the quality of care provided to elders with dementia and assists in the assessment process for admission to and exit from the unit.
• This position also monitors the success of the Restorative Care Program in providing restorative nursing that maximizes each elder’s existing abilities.
• This position collaborates with contract therapy companies to enhance the quality of care for the elderly.
• This position assists with the preparation of the Departmental annual budget and maintains the operating budgets for personnel and medical equipment and makes budget recommendations to the purchase of such equipment.
• The Director of Nursing Services is responsible for overseeing and implementing infection control, pharmaceutical and physical/chemical restraint policies, and procedures, and assures that committee recommendations are carried out.
  
  

SUPERVISION AND MANAGEMENT

• Manages, supervises, and evaluates nursing practices, articulates expectations, and provides corrective guidance as needed.
• Prioritizes work assignments consistent with level of staff available and resident care acuity.
• Ensures proper staffing level, working as staff nurse if needed.
• Ensures duties re complete, following up with delegated tasks and reviews departing staff reports.
• Provides nursing reports to staff regarding daily resident care needs and significant changes in condition.
• Maintains knowledge of disaster procedures and implements if needed.
• Promptly reports and documents incidents and errors involving residents, staff, visitors, or self.
  
  

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Graduation from an accredited School of Nursing.
• Current Registration as a Registered Nurse for the state in which the facility is located.
• Current Certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and emergency care
  
  

Preferred

• Three years of experience in skilled nursing and/or assisted living community.
• Significant critical care and operations management experience
  
  

Required Skills And Abilities

• Strong understanding of skilled nursing standards of care
• Strong understanding of federal and state regulations including Medicare, Medicaid, and Managed Care reimbursement rules
• Very high level of professionalism
• Excellent communication skills
• Compassionate leadership qualities
• Strong critical thinking skills and adaptability
• Leadership; achieves established goals through inspiration and loyalty of staff.
• Resilience: ability to welcome constructive feedback, course correct and not take it personally
• Personability; ability to get along with all personality types and inspire trust with residents, staff, family High emotional intelligence (EQ)
• Ability to actively listen, with the goal of understanding.
• Ability to clearly speak and proficiently read, write, and understand English.
  
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described below are representative of those that an employee in this position would encounter on the job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided, when possible, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Rarely = not a regular part of this job

Occasionally = less than 1/3 of a shift

Frequently = 1/3 to 2/3 of a shift

Constantly = more than 2/3 of a shift

☒ = an essential part of the job regardless of frequency or duration

Physical Activity

☒ Lifting Weight / Exerting Force: Frequently throughout the day will lift or exert force up to 50 lbs;

☒ Standing and Walking: Frequently needed throughout the day (ability to be mobile around the facility throughout the day)

☒ Sitting: Frequently sits throughout the day

☒ Using Hands: Constantly uses hands throughout the day

☒ Reaching: Frequently reaches throughout the day

☐ Climbing and/or Balancing: Rarely needs to climb or balance

☐ Stoop, Kneel, Crouch, Crawl: Occasionally needs to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl

☒ Talking: Frequently needs ability to talk throughout the day

☒ Hearing constantly needs to hear and listen throughout the day

☒ Vision: This position requires the ability to use close, distance, peripheral-vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.