Director of Nursing

Description

JOB DESCRIPTION
Director of Nursing (DON)
DEPARTMENT: Nursing
POSITION:
The Director of Nursing assumes full time administrative authority, responsibility and accountability for the delivery of nursing
services in the facility. Manages facility employees in the provision of care and services according to professional standards of
nursing practice, consistent with facility philosophy of care and county, state and federal laws and regulations. Develops and
implements policy and procedures consistent with current law and best nursing practices. In collaboration with the
Administrator, allocates department resources in an efficient and economic manner to enable each resident to attain or maintain
the highest practicable physical, mental, and psycho-social well-being. Collaborates with other departments, professionals,
consultants, and organizations, including government agencies and advocacy groups, to develop support and coordination of
resident care, related administrative functions and to represent the interests of the facility.
REPORTING:
This position is responsible to the Administrator.
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:
Education: Graduate of an accredited school of nursing
License: Current, active license as a Registered Nurse
Work Experience: 3 years professional nursing experience in long term care setting
1 year administrative experience in nursing service administration or comparable management
experience
Language Skills:
• Must be able to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical information, and to be easily
understood through verbal communication in the English language.
Mathematical Skills:
• Must be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common
fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to perform these operations using units of weight measurement, and volume.
Communication Skills:
• Must have exceptional communication and customer service skills, and be empathetic.
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, families, responsible parties, staff and outside resources and
agencies.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
• Assist in the development and maintain nursing policies and procedures that reflect current standards of nursing
practice and facility philosophy of care consistent with county, state and federal laws and regulations, as applicable.
Communicate and interpret policies and procedures to nursing staff. Monitor practice for effective implementation
• Review 24 hour report from every unit daily to ensure timely, effective responses to significant changes in condition,
transfers, discharges, or use of physical or chemical restraints, unexplained injuries, potential abuse or neglect,
medication errors, loss of resident property, any evidence or resident or family dissatisfaction. Gather and analyze
facts, assess situations, develop and implement appropriate actions to investigate, to notify appropriate parties, to
resolve issues and to record facts properly. Keep Administrator informed of findings and results

• Communicate directly with residents, families, medical staff, nursing staff, interdisciplinary team members and
Department Heads to coordinate care and services, improve organization and implementation of plans of care, to
maintain quality of care, quality of life and a homelike environment for all residents
• Establish and implements infection control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary and comfortable environment
and to prevent the development and transmission of disease and infection. Review infection control surveillance
reports to identify trends and to develop effective actions to control and prevent infections in the facility. Include
infection control information and statistics in Quality Assessment and Assurance Committee report
• Monitor the provision of care and services to residents on all shifts and evaluates regulatory compliance efforts
through daily rounds to observe care on units, to review records and to interview staff members, residents, families
and other interested parties. Evaluate the findings of compliance rounds conducted by designated facility staff on a
daily basis. Design, implement and evaluate actions to continuously improve quality
• Participate in monthly Medicare Triple Check to ensure Medicare Part A and Part B are billed accurately with charges
captured in a timely manner for all allowable costs and that the facility has acquired the clinical documentation to
support charges for services to Medicare be in compliance under the Medicare program and in accordance with the
Medicare Triple Check Compliance Monitoring Policy, Procedure and Guidelines.
• Conduct quality assessment and assurance activities, including regulatory compliance rounds, in all departments to
monitor performance and to continuously improve quality. Develop program to gather and analyze data for trends and
to institute actions to resolve problems promptly
• Evaluate effectiveness of actions. Participate as member of Quality Assessment and Assurance Committee with the
Medical Director and at least three other facility staff members. Report and make recommendations to Quality
Assessment and Assurance Committee
• Supervise development of in-service education programs designed to equip nursing staff with sufficient knowledge
and skills to provide nursing and nursing related services to each resident to attain or maintain the highest practicable
physical, mental and psycho social well-being and to perform the essential functions of their jobs satisfactorily
• Assist Administrator in preparation for long term care survey. Actively participate in long term care survey process
by instructing staff in matters of conduct and disclosure, maintaining a presence at all times surveyors are on-site and
directing the timely collection of information required by the survey team. Demonstrate concern for identified
problems and undertake corrective action while survey is in progress if appropriate. Gather and present supplemental
documentation to avoid potential deficiencies. Collaborate with Administrator to develop responses to survey report
as needed
• Collaborate with physicians, consultants, facility agencies and institutions to improve quality of services and to
resolve identified problems
• Consult with Administrator daily about resident status, census, budget, and personnel and other relevant issues
• Participate in the development of the nursing department budget. Provide relevant financial information to
Administrator regarding department financial needs and status
• Over all responsibility for the Admission process: Review and approve admissions, be aware of acuity needs of
current residents and impact of admissions, monitor staffing needs/abilities in relationship to admissions
• Develop and maintain a good working relationship with hospital discharge planners to facilitate admissions and
maintain census
• Over all responsibility for the Medicare/PPS program: Determine eligibility for coverage, monitor and approve
admissions, case management (utilization review), timely response to requests for billing related information from

Fiscal Intermediary and Service Center A/R department, maintain close working relationship with Rehab Department
personnel, monitor daily documentation, monitor the MDS assessment process in relationship to A/R process,
establish guidelines for management of acuity (staffing needs), and provide resident and family education regarding
benefits (as needed) of the Medicare/PPS program to maintain the integrity of the Medicare Program
• Develop staffing plans that assure sufficient numbers of qualified, competent nursing staff to meet direct care needs,
conduct assessments as required, develop plans of care, evaluate residents’ responses to interventions and document
clinical records effectively in compliance with county, state and federal laws and regulations, as applicable.
Recommend number and type of nursing personnel necessary to provide care and to maintain compliance with facility
mission and regulations
• Hire and retain qualified competent nursing staff to provide nursing and nursing related services to attain or maintain
the highest practicable physical, mental and psycho social well-being of each resident. Conduct interviews, provide
regular performance reviews, take appropriate job actions, review job actions taken by subordinates to assure that staff
meet qualification and performance standards and can perform all essential functions of the job
• Ensure 24 hour availability as nursing administration resource by providing on-call and telephone access or
designating an alternative, qualified nursing staff member to do so
• Maintain current skills and knowledge through continuing education. Apply information to job responsibilities
JOB FUNCTIONS:
• Demonstrate knowledge of, and respect for, the rights, dignity and individuality of each resident in all interactions
• Demonstrate competency in the protection and promotion of resident rights. Able to act as role model for facility staff
• Appreciates the importance of maintaining confidentiality of resident and facility information
• Demonstrate honesty and integrity at all times in the care and use of resident and facility property
• Current knowledge of county, state, federal laws and regulations, as applicable, that apply to practice of nursing in
long term care
• Ability to provide nursing leadership to Administrator, Medical Director, Department Heads and governing Body to
formulate operational strategies and achieve facility objectives within planned budgets and schedules. Provide
direction to nursing staff to execute tasks necessary to implement operational objectives
• Working knowledge and ability to apply standards of professional nursing practice in job situations. Able to assist in
the development of nursing policies and procedures that reflect current clinical practice, professional standards and
facility philosophy of care. Able to establish criteria to assure that services provided meet established standards of
quality
• Sufficient knowledge of clinical practice, regulations and principles of adult education to supervise the continuing
education and training of nursing personnel
• Working knowledge of reimbursement sources (ie. Medicare, Medicaid, HMO, Private, Hospice) and the relationship
to the Admission Process
• Working knowledge of the admission criteria and coverage guidelines for the various payor sources
• Working knowledge of the RAI (MDS) assessment process
• Demonstrate satisfactory level of interpersonal skill to interact with facility administration, community and
government agencies, interdisciplinary staff

• Able to understand and to follow written/and or verbal directions. Able to express self adequately in oral and/or
written communications. Able to communicate effectively with staff members, other professional staff, consultants
and residents in interdisciplinary care setting and to government agencies
• Sufficient knowledge of personnel policies and ability to perform personnel functions including interviewing
prospective staff members, conducting performance evaluations and carrying out disciplinary actions when
appropriate. Able to apply personnel policies to facts concerning job actions without regard to race, sex, age, national
origin, religion or disability
• Able to coordinate Quality Assessment and Assurance activities with Medical Director, Administrator, Department
Heads and direct care staff
• Carry out duties in accord with the facility mission and philosophy
• Working knowledge of HIPAA Regulations and appreciates the importance of maintaining confidentiality of resident
and facility information
• Knowledge of emergency and disaster procedures of facility. Able to locate nearest exit, to understand and respond to
written or oral instruction in case of emergency. Sufficient mobility, and strength to move freely through the building,
to assure resident safety at all times and to assist, transfer or otherwise move residents of facility out of danger in case
of emergency
• Demonstrate respect for co—workers and respond to needs of residents by complying with facility policies on
attendance and punctuality and dress code. Able to arrive and to begin work on time and to respond to facility needs
24 hours a day, 7 days a week through on-call availability or delegation
• Working knowledge and ability to comply with facility policies and procedures for workplace safety including
infection control procedures, application of universal precautions for blood borne pathogens, use of personal
protective equipment and handling of hazardous materials
• Demonstrate ability to prioritize responsibilities and complete projects within allotted time
• Able to respond to change productively and to handle additional projects as delegated
• Able to perform essential functions of Charge Nurse, if needed, when facility has average daily census of 60 or fewer
residents
• Able to carry out the essential functions of this job (with or without reasonable accommodation) without posing
specific, current risk of substantial harm to health and safety of self and others
• Other duties as assigned
PHYSICAL CAPACITIES: (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)
! Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
! Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the
requirements of this position can be fully met.
! Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility which includes an annual TB
screening and physical examination.
! Must be able to sit for extended periods of time.

! Must be able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
! Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
Inside work, normal temperatures, some noise, occasional fumes/odors, chemical exposure and potential exposure to
bloodborne pathogens.
This job cannot be performed without exposure to the stresses associated with an intimate, 24 hour skilled care environment
that delivers care and services primarily to disabled and cognitively impaired residents in an aging population. Examples of
these stresses include, but are not limited to: emergency health or safety response, weekend and holiday duty, unusual or
impaired behavior by residents, family reactions to having a loved one in a nursing home, death and dying, oversight of state
surveyors, ombudsmen and federal officials, presence of consultants and attorneys, and variable involvement of medical staff.
HIPAA is a law that must be followed by all healthcare personnel at every level. This position is a Mandated Reporter
regarding the suspicion of elder abuse and may have access to Protected Health Information (PHI).
 

Qualifications

Salary : $55 - $60