Director of Nursing

The Director of Nursing is responsible for the administration of the nursing department. This includes but is not limited to: policy development/implementation (in coordination with Regional Clinical Director), organizational planning, the direction of the nursing care delivery and the development and monitoring of standards of nursing practices. This position requires promoting public relations, education, and consultation within assigned units.

Essential Job Specific Duties/Responsibilities
1. Monitors and improves the overall quality of services in Nursing provided in the assigned nursing units
a. Conducts daily resident rounds and initiates corrective action as necessary. Directs the assessment of resident responses to medication and treatment and makes appropriate recommendations for nursing action to be implemented.
b. Conducts monthly (and as needed) staff meetings with all shifts for purposes of planning, coordinating and implementing nursing service policies and procedures. Communicates with nursing personnel providing clear, concise information.
c. Conducts a review of all systems in PCC via a morning clinical meeting. This IDT review includes but is not limited to: accidents/incidents, medication compliance/errors, falls, pressure ulcers, incontinence, antipsychotic medications, nurses notes, progress notes, care plans and interventions.
d. Investigates any allegation(s) of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property and takes appropriate disciplinary action as necessary.
e. Maintains agency-free status. Maintains up-to-date daily assignment and master work schedules.
f. Completes employee performance appraisals by due date.
g. Conducts daily rounding to assure regulatory compliance at all times, and develops an action plan through the QAPI Committee for areas that are not in compliance.
h. Communicates daily and as needed with the Regional Clinical Director related to all concerns or clinical issues, regulatory or compliance issues, any survey activity, and any risk or potential risk or culpability concerns.
2. Maintains effective communication with interdisciplinary team, residents, families, physicians and staff.
a. Demonstrates consistent ability to manage nursing service problems, emergencies, and initiate “life saving” measures in the absence of a physician.
b. Meets with facility Medical Director at least 1 hour monthly.
c. Conducts morning meeting with interdisciplinary team members in absence of Administrator.
d. Meets with vendors, residents and/or family members as necessary. Follows through on any issues/concerns timely and to resolution.
e. Reviews daily operation of nursing department with Administrator.
3. Performs activities related to nursing care needs of residents as needed.
a. Assumes clinical responsibilities in the absence of RN/LPN staff nurse.
b. Monitors daily resident care responsibilities of staff and evaluates delivery of care.
c. Disposes of controlled drugs with consultant pharmacist according to established procedure.
d. Reviews monthly pharmacy bill for discrepancies and forward to Administrator by the fifth day of each month.
e. Directs the care conference process to assess residents’ care needs and directs the development of individualized plans.
f. In collaboration with Licensed Social Workers, provides direction for resident admissions, transfers, and discharges with community agencies and other facilities.
g. Consistently makes level of care determinations based on physician’s recommendations and plan of care to assure a favorable “waiver of liability” status for the facility.
4. Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of facility performance improvement program.
a. Serves as team leader during annual State survey. Responsible to develop and submit action plan, as needed, on any/all surveys.
b. Reviews monthly and quarterly indicator results with interdisciplinary team members. Lead discussion and directs any required action by team members.
c. Utilizes CHI Living Communities Quality/Risk Indicator report and comparative statistics to benchmark best practices (nursing indicators). Networks with CHI Living Communities Directors of Nursing.
d. Develops quality performance indicators and monitors collection of data. Implements plan of action based on results of data collected.
e. Serves on committees as directed by Administrator (i.e. Safety, Fall Prevention, Restraint Elimination, etc.).
f. Reviews, revises, updates, and enforces nursing policies and procedures.
5. In collaboration with the Administrator, operates the assigned nursing units in accordance with established policies and procedures of CHI Living Communities.
a. Assists Administrator in development of a nursing budget, which addresses both the mission and strategic plan of the facility.
b. Consistently operates nursing service within the budget guidelines established.
c. Develops nursing policies and procedures, in coordination with the Regional Clinical Director, which ensure that all statutory, regulatory and accrediting requirements are met.
d. Attends meetings, workshops and seminars to enhance professional and personal knowledge. Keeps abreast of current trends and practices in the field of long-term care.
e. Acts in place of the Administrator in her/his absence.
f. Ensures availability of equipment for nursing personnel. Assess equipment/ supply needs and make recommendations to the Administrator.
6. Participates in the collaboration to develop, plan, conduct and schedule in-service training classes that ensure a well-educated nursing service department.
a. Participates in collaboration to implement and maintain an effective orientation program that orients new employees to the facility.
b. Reviews and revises current nursing competencies. Develops new/additional nursing competencies as needed.
c. Participates in collaboration to develop continuing education plan addressing specific needs of department based on survey results, performance improvement data, and results from annual employee needs assessment.