Director of Nursing - DON

Description

To plan, organize, develop and direct the overall operation of the Nursing Department in accordance with current local, state, and federal regulations which govern the facility.  These issues may be directed by the Administrator and/or Medical Director.

Accountability: Administrator, Medical Director

Duties And Responsibilities:

Develop, organize, implement, evaluate and direct the nursing service department.

Develop, maintain and periodically update the written policies and procedures that govern the day to day operations of the nursing department.

Provide written and/or oral reports to the Administrator as necessary.

Maintain the required staffing ratio in order to provide quality of care.

Assist the Administrator and/or the Human Resources Director with recruitment and retention of nursing personnel.

Develop work assignments and schedules for nursing personnel.

Delegate duties to nursing personnel.

Evaluate or assist with the 90-day and annual evaluations of the licensed nursing staff in conjunction with the Staff Development Director and the RN Supervisors.

Actively participate in the budgeting process and performance improvement functions of the organization

Assist the Infection Control nurse in establishing and maintaining an effective Tuberculosis (T.B.) Program for residents and staff.

Report occupational exposure in accordance with established facility protocol.

Make daily rounds to all resident care areas in order to observe nursing staff as they perform assigned duties in accordance with facility established protocol.

Develop, evaluate and periodically update policies governing license and/or certification for nursing staff and sitters.

Provide or assist with in-service for facility staff.

Maintain or assist with the maintenance of current nursing employee files.

Be knowledgeable about and promote resident rights.

Prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation in the elderly.

Promote a safe, clean environment in which the residents may live.

Make unannounced rounds at various times in order to detect unique problems directly related to a specific shift and time.

Check the Twenty Four Hour Report daily in order to be aware of changes in the residents’ conditions and/or plan of treatment.

Assist with M.D.S.+ and Total Care Plan meetings as indicated.

Any other duties, as directed by the Administrator.

Become a participating facility team member with the residents as first priority.

Assume the duties and responsibilities of the Administrator in his/her absence.

Requirements

Physical Requirements:

• Hold/handle
• Lift
• Carry
• Reach – at and below shoulder height
• Push/pull
• Grasp and handle – pens, paperwork and small equipment
• Sit, stand and walk
• Twist, bend, stoop, kneel and squat
• Fine hand motor coordination
• Ability to read and write legibly
• Ability to give and follow instructions

Physical Requirements:

Talking: Communicating with residents, families, physicians visitors and staff

Hearing: Taking instructions from the Administrator, To respond to resident complaints and requests, To respond appropriately to disaster instructions and pages

• Sight: For performing job effectively and correctly
• Smell: For accurate detection and maintenance of facility odors
• Touch: In order to detect changes in temperature

Licensure Requirements:

Must be a Registered Nurse (R.N.) currently licensed by the State and in good standing with the Board of Nursing in the State in which the facility is located.

Summary Of Occupational Exposure:

Tasks and procedures performed by the employee involve risks classified by C.D.C. as Category I.  (Direct contact with blood or other bodily fluids to which universal precautions apply.)

Other Considerations And Requirements:

Must be able to tolerate a high pace as typical for a nursing facility.  Must be able to take and give instructions well and enjoy working with the elderly.  Although employee is required to sit for prolonged periods of time, he/she must also be able to tolerate prolonged standing and walking.