Director of Nursing

Our Mission: To improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve demonstrating compassionate, patient-centered care.

Summary

The Director of Nursing (DON) provides leadership and oversight for all nursing operations within the organization. This includes oversight of Routine Nursing Services (Inpatient, Observation, Hospice, and Swing Bed Services) and Emergency Department Services. This role is responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality patient care, compliance with regulations, and effective management of nursing staff and resources. The DON works closely with leadership to develop and implement policies, procedures, and strategies in accordance with the philosophy, goals, and objectives of Cozad Community Health System.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
This description intends to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Leadership and Management

· Oversees day-to-day operations of the hospital’s nursing department including problem solving and effective processing of daily functions.

· Organizes nursing structure and plans, directs, and supervises the nursing and clinical programs.

• Provides overall supervision, guidance, and support for nursing staff, including Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs).
• Leads recruitment, retention, and professional development efforts for nursing staff. Provides leadership and guidance to professional staff in goal setting, problem solving, resource management, and outcome achievement.
• Fosters a positive and collaborative work environment that encourages teamwork and high morale.

· Fulfills mission statement by performing job duties with a high level of customer service while contributing to a positive and professional environment.

· Special projects and other duties as assigned.

Patient Care and Quality Assurance

• Ensures delivery of safe, high-quality, and patient-centered care.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to address patient care concerns and improve outcomes.
• Monitors and evaluates patient satisfaction and resolve concerns in a timely manner.

· Responds to and resolves patient and family complaints.

• Ensures adherence to infection control policies, medication administration protocols, and clinical best practices.

· Participates in ongoing and systematic quality improvement efforts while providing quality healthcare services to all patients in a financially responsible manner.

Regulatory Compliance

• Maintains compliance with local, state, and federal healthcare regulations (e.g., CMS, OSHA, HIPAA).
• Conducts routine audits to ensure documentation accuracy and adherence to standards of care.
• Prepares for and oversees external audits and accreditation processes.

· Maintains licensure/regulatory status for all services.

Policy and Procedure Development

• Develops, updates, and implements policies and procedures to support nursing operations.
Establishes and maintains standards of nursing care based on evidence-based practices.

Financial Management

• Manages the nursing department budget and optimize resource utilization.
• Monitors staffing levels and ensures proper scheduling to meet patient needs.
• Authorizes and monitors expenditures related to nursing operations.

· Develops and maintains the annual operating budget for the Hospital Nursing Department , including productivity and FTE management based on business needs.

· Ensures adequate documentation and accurate charge capturing for Chargemaster .

Communication and Collaboration

• Serves as a liaison between nursing staff and executive leadership.
• Promotes collaboration with other departments to ensure seamless patient care.
Facilitates regular team meetings to communicate updates, provide training, and address concerns.

Education and Training

• Identifies training needs and coordinates educational programs to enhance staff competencies.
Ensures staff are current on certifications, licensure, and mandatory training.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Manages employees in the Hospital Nursing Department. Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, safety, and evaluation of this team. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required. Master’s degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or related field preferred. Minimum of 5 years of nursing experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership role. Comprehensive knowledge of nursing and healthcare practice and techniques associated with the scope and complexity of care required by patients served. Electronic health records and management experience preferred.

Licensure/Certification

Current Registered Nurse licensure in the State of Nebraska.

Basic Life Support (CPR).

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) preferred.

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification required within the first two years of employment.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Ability to operate a motor vehicle and complete errands based on business needs.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office setting. The noise level in the hospital environment is usually moderate.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Cozad Community Health System is committed to hiring and developing the most qualified employees from the available workforce in the communities we serve.

Equal employment opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at Cozad Community Health System, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination and retaliation because of veteran status, uniformed service member status, race, color, national origin or ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), or any other protected characteristic as established by applicable local, state, or federal law.