RN, Director of Nursing

JOB TITLE: Director of Nursing

SUPERVISOR: Administrator

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITY

1. Develops and maintains nursing service objectives and nursing standards of practice, nursing service policies and procedures, nursing administration and patient care.

2. Coordinates nursing services with other departments.

3. Recommends to the Administrator the number and levels of nursing personnel to be employed, participates in their recruitment, employs and plans orientation, instructs and supervised personnel and the functions of the nursing department.

4. Delegates the planning of and may assist in in-service education and training programs.

5. Recommends the termination of employees when necessary and documents all aspects of this procedure. Terminates employee with administrative approval.

6. Participates in the acceptance of prospective residents in terms of nursing services they need and the nursing competencies available.

7. Responsible for the maintenance of the stock level of supplies and equipment.

8. Regularly inspects the facility and the nursing practices for compliance to federal, state and local standards and regulations, delegates’ staff to participate in this.

9. Is responsible for the execution of patient care policies in the absence of the physician, making decisions as policy stipulates with approval of medical advisors.

10. Acts as the Resident Service Director if Health for licensed and unlicensed area.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

1. Graduate of an approved school of nursing, currently licensed in the State of Ohio. Bachelor’s degree in related field is desirable.

2. Experienced in supervision, geriatric nursing, restorative and rehabilitative care. Attends pertinent workshops and institutes.

3. Ability to incorporate all aspects of nursing into total patient care plans, to organize, plan and supervise nursing department, to grasp new theories and principles and implement them.

4. Good mental and physical health, sound judgement and high moral standards, and desire to serve the aged and handicapped.

DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS

1. Determines the kind and the amount of nursing care needed to meet the needs of the resident.

2. Approves all admissions personally or delegates a relief nurse to do so in her absence.

3. Recommends the placement of the resident as to area or room.

4. Develops a nursing organizational structure, assigns the responsibility and delegates authority. Carries on continuous evaluation of needs and services as concerning nursing care.

5. Evaluates staffing needs.

6. Plans, organizes and directs effective administration of each nursing unit based the established policies and assures the residents of a comfortable, clean, orderly and safe environment.

7. Assures proper handling of the patients in disaster or accident situation. (Verifies staff training, observes all drills for any updating of needs.)

8. Works with the Quality Control Nurse to develop and upgrade nursing care plans for each resident, including rehabilitative and restorative activities, instruction in self-help and cooperation with therapeutic services.

9. Assists in providing for the spiritual, psychological and social needs of the residents.

10. Develops a plan for the communication of the health needs of the residents of the independent living and assisted living areas of the facility. Delegates’ responsibility for the routing of these needs to the appropriate parties. Establishes a system for the updating of the residents medical records to maintain an effective tool for preventative care and for meeting emergency needs efficiently in eventual transfer of “Independent Living into “Healthcare Living.”

RELATED TO PERSONNEL

1. Set standards for qualification of personnel, interview and evaluate applicants. Select personnel, define duties, and interpret policies of the home. Supervises and/or delegates orientation and instruction of the new employees. Arranges for and participates in the in-service education and training program for new personnel and interprets principles of good management to nursing and supervisory personnel.

2. Encourage and facilitate further study and experience gaining activity for nursing unit personnel. Delegates the maintenance of a record of qualification experiences and unusual accomplishments of the personnel.

3. Establishes employee health program.

4. Plan or delegate the scheduling of 24-hour coverage (to comply with the state code) and the assignment of duties to meet the needs of the patients.

5. Evaluates and plans for the work performance of personnel in all units. Discharges personnel not qualified or who violate policies or when staff requirement warrants it. Identifies and solves departmental and personnel problems.

Instructs personnel in disaster, fire and safety programs and duties. Establishes disaster training. Assures personnel of proper follow-up of care for accidents or injuries while on the job or in the building

RELATED TO POLICY FORMATION AND MAINTENANCE

1. Participate in policy planning for personnel by initiating and conducting policy making conferences within the nursing department and interpret recommendations to the proper persons.

2. Prepare departmental guides, procedure manuals, memoranda and minutes of meetings for implementing established policies.

3. Writes and maintains updated job descriptions.

4. Attends departmental head meetings and committee conferences.

5. Verifies that required records are maintained. Submits required reports and statistics to business office or state and federal representatives.

6. Maintains a reference library of written materials of nursing polices and laws governing nursing care.

RELATED TO PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

1. Cooperate with the administration and other departments to maintain safe and sanitary environment.

2. Recommend changes for effective use of space and equipment.

3. Plan to meet standards for allocation of space and placement of equipment as set forth by the licensing body.

4. Assist in the establishment and the guidelines for a disaster, fire and safety program in cooperation with administration.

5. Assesses supply and equipment needs for nursing department and sees that units are adequately stocked and maintained.

6. Verifies that supplies, equipment of furnishings assigned to nursing have an inventory code number and that of the above are moved from the department without administrative authorization.

RELATED TO BUDGETING

1. Prepare a nursing department budget in cooperation with administration.

2. Apply the approved budge, interpreting such to staff and maintain vigilance over

the expenditures, charges, etc. Approve all requisitions and invoices. Review all expenditures, establish priorities, and make recommendations for change.

WORKING CONDITIONS

1. Well lighted, well-ventilated office and work area.

2. Sit, stand and walk in facility during the workday.

3. Make independent decisions.

4. Communicate with medical staff, with other department head, nursing personnel and patients and their relatives.

5. Subject to frequent interruptions. Called frequently to handle problems concerning patients.

6. Perform duties of staff nurse whenever and wherever required.

7. On call for emergencies that supervisory personnel cannot act upon.