Director of Nursing

About the role

As a key member of the interdisciplinary leadership team, the Director of Nursing (DON) fosters a culture of clinical excellence, manages nursing budgets, and mentors staff to improve resident outcomes. The DON is responsible for the overall management, leadership, and quality of the nursing department at the Sauk County Health Care Center, ensuring the delivery of high-quality resident care while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Responsibilities

• Interview, train, direct, advise, evaluate, coach, and discipline nursing personnel, and approve payroll; coordinate ongoing in-service training and competency assessments for clinical staff.
• Develop and update nursing policies and procedures to meet state and federal regulations; coordinate nursing policies and procedures with other departments.
• Oversee the development and implementation of comprehensive, person-centered care plans for all residents.
• Monitor care quality by consulting with nursing staff regarding residents’ conditions and concerns to ensure needs are met.
• Develop nursing long-term goals and plans; facilitate and lead nursing performance improvement initiatives.
• Develop the unit annual budget and recommend equipment purchases; manage the nursing department budget, including medical supplies and labor costs.
• Review admissions to determine level of care required; approve new admissions; contact referring agencies for assessments; assist social services in determining room assignments and transfers; determine Medicare status.
• Develop and implement infection control policies and procedures; prepare infection control audits; oversee compliance with the infection control program when the Assistant Director of Nursing is not present.
• Coordinate restraint and drug reduction for all residents; review quarterly reviews and mini-risk assessments for developing resident problems.
• Participate in State and Federal nursing home surveys; recommend and implement corrections to deficiencies; ensure the facility is always prepared for surveys in accordance with regulations; lead the clinical response during inspections and audits.
• Be prepared to report to the facility in person during emergencies, staffing crises, infection control procedures, infection outbreaks, or significant clinical incidents; be reachable by phone during evenings, weekends, and holidays to provide clinical guidance.
• Act as resident advocate and represent the nursing staff to the community.
• Attend, participate in, and/or conduct facility and county committee meetings regarding nursing administration and care.
• Serve as a key liaison between staff, physicians, state surveyors, residents, and families.

Requirements

• 7 years of nursing experience, with at least three years in a supervisory role.
• Nursing experience with the geriatric population.