Director of Nursing

About the Role

The Director of Nursing assumes authority, responsibility, and accountability for the delivery of nursing services in the facility. In collaboration with facility Administration, allocates department resources in an efficient and economic manner to enable each resident to attain or maintain the highest practical physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being. Collaborates with other departments, medical professionals, consultants, and organizations, including government agencies and advocacy groups, to develop, support, and coordinate resident care, related administrative functions, and to represent the interests of the facility.

Responsibilities

• Ensure proper Policies, Procedures, and Protocols for care are in place, including the entire nursing process (assessment, plan, implementation, and follow-up) for use of antibiotics in resident care, with adequate education and monitoring.
• Develop, maintain, and implement nursing policies and procedures that conform to current standards of nursing practice, facility philosophy, and operational policies while maintaining compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
• Communicate and interpret policies and procedures to nursing staff, and monitor staff practices and implementation.
• Participate in all admission decisions and may visit prospective residents before admission to assess overall health status.
• Participate in daily or weekly management team meetings to discuss resident status, census changes, personnel, or resident complaints or concerns.
• Evaluate the work performance of all nursing personnel, assist in the determination of wage increases, and implement discipline according to operational policies.
• Ensure delivery of compassionate quality care and nursing supervision, including adequate services and staff coverage, absence of odors, general cleanliness, prevention of pressure wounds, and maintenance of optimal resident functions.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and application of Key Clinical Quality Indicators, and proactively monitor and implement systems to achieve and/or surpass company thresholds.
• Exercise overall supervision of resident assessments and care plans, and ensure resident care conferences are conducted.
• Review 24-hour reports from every unit daily to monitor and ensure timely, effective responses to significant changes in condition, transfers, discharges, use of restraints, unexplained injuries, falls, behavioral episodes, and medication errors.
• Collaborate with physicians, consultants, community agencies, and institutions to improve the quality of services and resolve identified problems.
• Coordinate nursing services with all other departments, including Therapy and Pharmacy consultants.
• Oversee nursing schedules to ensure they meet resident needs and regulatory and budgetary standards.
• Oversee and supervise the development and delivery of in-service education to equip nursing staff with sufficient knowledge and skills to provide compassionate, quality care and respect for resident rights.
• Proactively develop positive employee relations, incentives, and recognition programs.
• Promote teamwork, mutual respect, and effective communication.
• Perform rounds to observe care and interview staff, residents, families, or other interested parties.
• Monitor staff for compliance with OSHA mandates and facility policies on workplace safety.
• Proactively develop procedures and incentives to promote workplace safety and safe work practices.
• Establish, implement, and monitor the infection control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment to prevent the development and transmission of disease and infection.
• Prepare or review infection control surveillance reports to identify trends and develop effective actions to control and prevent infections, and submit reports to the QA Committee.
• Participate in budget development for the nursing department and for medical, nursing, and central supplies, ensuring proper charging of ancillaries used.
• Assist the Administrator in preparing staff for inspection surveys, instructing staff on conduct, disclosure, and immediate corrections of problems noted by surveyors.
• Review and reinforce important standards previously cited, and participate in the preparation of the Plan of Correction response to inspection surveys, implementing follow-up QA for any nursing allegations.
• Communicate directly with residents, families, medical staff, nursing staff, interdisciplinary team members, and Department Heads to coordinate care and services, promote participation in care plans, and maintain high-quality care and life for residents.
• Promote customer service and hospitality, and respond to and adequately resolve complaints or concerns from residents or families about nursing services.
• Monitor facility incidents and complaints daily to identify unusual occurrences as defined by State policy and promptly report them to the Administrator for appropriate action.
• Monitor complaint reports daily for allegations of potential abuse or neglect, or the loss or misappropriation of resident property, and participate in investigations.
• Promote compliance with accident prevention procedures, safety rules, and safe work practices to prevent employee injury and illness and control worker’s compensation costs.
• Responsible for surveillance, infection definition based on standards of practice, education, tracking, data management, analysis of data, communication with the Medical Director and Consultant Pharmacist, and ongoing system review.
• Ensure staff is trained in fire, disaster, and other emergency procedures, and evaluate performance during drills.
• Act in an administrative capacity in the absence of the Administrator.
• Conduct staff meetings and in-services as requested.
• Answer incoming calls when necessary and direct calls appropriately.
• Assist in the dining room during assigned meals.
• Perform other tasks as required.

Requirements

• Current Michigan license as a Registered Nurse and graduation from an accredited school of nursing.
• Two years of professional nursing experience in the long-term care setting, with a minimum of three years’ experience in nursing administration or a comparable management position.
• High degree of leadership, organizational ability, and communication skills.
• Knowledge of long-term care management, policies, budgeting, personnel management, and census development.
• Knowledge of current federal and state laws and regulations that apply to the practice of nursing in a long-term care setting.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize responsibilities.
• Ability to make presentations before top management, public groups, and staff.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Ability to apply mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Other Special Requirements

• Must be able to work overtime and be available on an “on-call” basis, including being summoned to the facility in emergencies.
• Tolerate frequent exposure to blood, body tissues, and fluids, with occasional exposure to hazardous materials and infectious diseases, as well as chemicals and latex used in personal protective equipment.
• Manual dexterity required to operate modern office equipment.
• Ability to travel as needed or assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Assist in hiring, training, supervising, and conducting annual reviews for the nursing department.
• Perform staff retraining, counseling sessions, and implement disciplinary actions as necessary.