JOB DESCRIPTION
DEPARTMENT:Nursing
POSITION:DIRECTOR OF NURSING
SUPERVISOR:Administrator
POSITION SUMMARY:Under the supervision of the Administrator, has authority, responsibility, and accountability for the functions, activities, and training of the nursing services staff, in addition to the supervision of the Therapy Department and its’ functions within the facility.In the absence of the Administrator, assumes responsibility for the facility. Is responsible for the overall management of resident care 24 hours a day, seven (7) days per week.
ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS
A.Job Knowledge and Role Responsibilities:
1.Demonstrates knowledge of age specific developmental factors specific to adult and geriatric residents (i.e. physical, cognitive, and socialization factors) in planning delivery of care.
2.Demonstrates knowledge, skills and techniques necessary to care for residents with the following needs: therapeutic, neuro and dementia, dialysis, IV therapy, infectious disease and wound care, if applicable.
3.Attends all mandatory inservices by employee’s anniversary date.
4.Acts appropriately under the direction of the Administrator and acts as an active member of the interdisciplinary team.
5.Demonstrates ability to adjust to changes in shift assignments to meet resident and family needs.
6.Ensures the residents receive skilled nursing and rehabilitation services, as needed.
7.Successful completion of facility orientation on the care of a resident on a specialized dementia unit, as appropriate.
8.Communicates and observes the Corporate Compliance Program effectively and complies with Code of Conduct when performing work functions.
B.Administrative Responsibilities:
1.Develops and periodically updates statements of philosophy and objectives that define the type of nursing care the facility proposes to provide.Ensures that these are understood and implemented by nursing personnel.
2.Ensures that a sufficient number of qualified supervisory and supportive nursing personnel are assigned for each unit/shift to meet the residents’ needs.
3.Participates in all screening processes prior to admission.Assesses items needed by the facility to meet resident needs.
4.Participates in coordination of resident services through departmental and appropriate staff committee meetings (i.e. Quarterly Quality Assurance and Assessment, Pharmacy Services, Therapy Services, Infection Control and Resident Care policy and procedure meeting).
5.Plans staff development programs that will enhance staff knowledge of quality resident care.
6.Conducts periodic review to ensure all documentation is informative and descriptive of nursing care and of the resident’s response to that care.
7.Participates in planning and budgeting for nursing services, as well as implements the Wage and Salary Administration Program.
8.Conducts periodic review to ensure that the nursing requirements of each resident admitted to the facility are reviewed and that the physician is consulted in planning resident care.
9.Maintains professional competence through continuing education.
10.Conducts periodic review of appropriate staff to ensure nursing personnel have valid and current licenses.
11.Demonstrates knowledge of current Health Department directives and ensures that directives are implemented by staff.
12.Conducts periodic review that the facility and personnel are in compliance with State Code Requirements.
13.Demonstrates availability to be on-call 24 hours a day for nursing emergencies.
14.Makes rounds upon entering the building each day.Checks each nursing unit for staffing, census, unstable residents, accidents and incidents, etc.
15.Reviews all Accidents and Incidents (A/I) daily and develops an appropriate plan to prevent future accidents and incidents.Conducts periodic reviews of documentation for inconsistencies on each unit.
16.Audits specific resident care issues on a daily basis such as skin, ambulation, etc.Devises a Monthly Planning Calendar as a minimum guideline for auditing care issues.The calendar will reflect weekend and night-shift audits as well as day shift audits.
17.Makes frequent and focused rounds at least one time per week with supervisors and charge nurses as appropriate.
18.Approves the staffing schedule according to budgeted levels, and checks daily for the number of staff available for the week (especially weekends).Documents approved vacation/time off for nursing department.
19.Observes all pressure sores on a weekly basis, evaluating documentation and treatments.
20.Meets with Nursing Assistants, Charge Nurses and all licensed staff on a routine basis to review nursing and facility issues.Ensures plans are in place to correct employee concerns.
21.Introduces self to new admissions within 48 hours.Ensures documentation initiation (i.e. physician orders, initial assessments, nursing care plan, etc.).
C.Role Responsibilities-Nursing Systems:
1.Ensures that systems are established and consistent throughout the facility.These include but are not limited to (as per standardized procedure):
a)Develops unit management system for group assignments and Nursing Assistant responsibilities.
b)Achieves goal of reducing restraints to a minimum, and ensuring restraints are released at least every 2 hours, or per Care Plan.All restraint releases are to occur on the unit at the same time or per Care Plan, and be observed by a licensed staff member.
c)Conducts periodic review to ensure that all residents are to be out of bed by noon, or per Care Plan, unless a specific physician order indicates bedrest.
d)Ensures turning and positioning schedules are followed every two hours (or per Care Plan).Ensures turning and positioning system can be easily monitored (i.e. all face the door at the same time).
e)Ensures that resident ambulation occurs as an observed system (i.e. before the meal period in the dining room).
f)Oversees scheduling of nurses for employee meals or breaks.
g)Conducts periodic reviews to ensure supplements are passed according to developed schedule.
h)Conducts periodic review to ensure that environment is clean, orderly, and organized.Ensures cleaning schedules are in writing and audited daily.Reviews and implements infection control and exposure control plans according to policies and procedures.
i)Reviews Change of Condition/24-Hour Report daily and deletes residents from the report as needed.
j)Demonstrates ability to perform all physical and mental job functions of a certified nursing assistant, licensed practical nurse, and registered nurse.
D.Role Responsibilities-Nursing Documentation
1.Ensures that nursing documentation meets the following standards:
a)Care Plans are to match monthly summaries; Nursing Assistant Care Sheets, Nursing Assistant worksheets, treatment sheets and physician orders.
b)Maintains and evaluates statistics for; pressure sores, resident Accidents and Incidents, number N/G or G tubes, number of justified foley catheters, resident census, and resident and employee infections.
c)Reviews all closed charts of expired residents and ensures appropriate documentation by nursing during the last 48 hours and discharge orders by physicians are enclosed (to contain how and where discharge, i.e. to funeral home via stretcher).Reviews discharge summaries of all residents.
d)Conducts periodic reviews of Care Plans to ensure they are interdisciplinary and updated by the Charge Nurse daily as changes occur.
e)Ensures all communication to nursing by other disciplines is flagged and the Charge Nurse is responsible for implementing the changes on all forms.
E.Role Responsibilities-Interpersonal Skills:
1.Is aware of, and adheres to, Resident’s Bill of Rights and Confidentiality of Resident Information.
2.Interacts with residents and family members, co-workers, clinical and ancillary staff in non-judgmental, supportive and calm manner.
3.Addresses family satisfaction issues immediately and assists in resolving the matter in a professional manner.
4.Is aware of Resident Abuse Reporting Law.
5.Participates as assigned in the orientation of new staff and demonstrates a positive, helpful and enthusiastic attitude.
F.Role Responsibilities-Safety:
1.Demonstrates ability to locate emergency equipment (i.e. emergency oxygen tank).
2.Understands and can demonstrate knowledge of role in Fire and Disaster drills.
3.Demonstrates ability to identify and respond appropriately to potential behavioral outbursts.
4.Uses facility equipment safely.
5.Recognizes, removes, and/or reports potential hazards.
G.Resident Care Responsibilities-Resident Dignity:
1.Addresses residents in a respectful manner.
2.Discusses confidential resident information in appropriate areas only.
3.Knocks on door prior to entering resident rooms and maintains resident privacy and dignity when providing treatments or other resident care.
H.Other duties as assigned by the Administrator.
I.Physical Requirements:
“Occasionally” equals approximately 1% to 33% of the workday, “Frequently” equals approximately 34% to 66% of the workday, and “Continuously” equals approximately 67% to 100% of the workday (Typical full-time workday is 7.5 hours).
1.Job Requirements:Approximate number of hours per day.
a)Sit2 to 3
b)Stand3 to 4
c)Walk3 to 4
2.Movements:
a)Bend/stoopOccasionally
b)Squat/crouch/kneelOccasionally
c)CrawlNot at all
d)ReachingOccasionally
e)BalancingOccasionally
f)Pushing/pullingOccasionally
3.Weight Carried:
a)Up to 34 poundsOccasionally
b)35 to 50 poundsOccasionally
c)51 to 100 poundsOccasionally with assistance*
*Assistance can include mechanical devices, equipment or human assistance.
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
1.Maintains a current, valid New York State Nursing License as a registered professional nurse, in good standing.
2.Possesses a minimum five (5) years of experience in long term care with two (2) years experience innursing service administration.Additional education or experience in such areas as rehabilitative or geriatric nursing is preferred.
3.Possesses strong knowledge of state, federal and local regulations as they pertain to long term care.
4.Is employed full-time and serves only one facility in such capacity.