BASIC FUNCTION

Responsible for effective overall management of the Nursing Department and coordination with other disciplines to provide quality services to all individuals served by the facility.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1.     Supports and practices the philosophy, objectives and standards of the Department of Nursing and participates in the revision of these as necessary to ensure quality services.

2.     Participates in the interdisciplinary management process.

3.     Ensures effective and efficient organization and staffing of the nursing department.

4.     Ensures that nursing interventions meet the personal, physical and cognitive needs of each individual as well as maximize his/her self-care capacities, identity, independence, choice and opportunity for social interaction.

5.     Monitors the out comes of nursing services activity by evaluating the performance of nursing staff, ensuring compliance with all facility and regulatory agency standards, policies and procedures, participates and/or coordinates facility committees and monitoring the effective and efficient used of budgeted resources [personnel, supplies, equipment].

6.     Ensures a safe and sanitary environment for individuals, employees and visitors.

7.     Actively maintains cohesive public and professional relationships with individuals, families, other personnel, physicians and the community.

8.     Actively promotes and contributes to staff education and professional development.

9.     Assures action plans are in place to generate sufficient applicant flow and to select qualified individuals to fill position vacancies.

10.  Develops recommendations and staffing action plans, when needed, for cost containment

11.  Performs other duties as deemed necessary and appropriate or as directed by the administrator or his/her designee.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

1.     Participates in the development of policies and procedures that support nursing service objectives as necessary and/or as directed by the administrator.

2.     Ensures that the philosophy, objectives and standards of the nursing department are an integral part of the orientation and education of nursing service personnel.

3.     Incorporates nursing philosophy, standards and objectives into the evaluation process for nursing services.

4.     Communicates changes in the Nurse Practice Act to nursing personnel.

5.     Communicates violation of the Nurse Practice Act to the administrator and state Board of Nursing.

6.     Participates in the interdisciplinary client care management efforts and ensures that the recommendations are implemented through education and monitoring of the nursing personnel performance.

7.     Cooperates with all other departments in providing a favorable physical, social and emotional environment for all clients.

8.     Follows up on IDTeam recommendations that affect the nursing department.

9.     Participates and serves on the Quality Improvement Committee as assigned.

10.  Ensures that the nursing department is properly organized and adheres to accepted organization and management principles.

11.  Follows up on consultant recommendations.

12.  Develops short and long-range plans for the nursing department that are compatible with those of the facility.

13.  Recruits and selects nursing service employees appropriate to facility need and budgetary guidelines.

14.  Provides orientation and education programs for nursing service personnel and ensures that al personnel can demonstrate the abilities required to function appropriately in their positions.

15.  Works in establishing and facilitating effective employer/employe3 relations

16.  Routinely schedules and conducts meetings with nursing personnel to communicate and operationalize objectives, stands, policies and procedures.

17.  Identifies responsibilities for nursing function 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

18.  Develops a work schedule in conjunction with the administrator or administrator’s designee that ensures the presence on periodic weekends or evenings, ni8ghts and holidays.

19.  Maintains adequate staffing ratios and levels of preparation to meet the needs of clients.

20.  Meets the nursing personnel on a regular basis to review, evaluate and document their performance.

21.  Coordinates nursing activities with consultants as necessary or appropriate.

22.  Formulates and administers a departmental budget based on nursing department goals and corporate parameters.

23.  Operates the nursing department in a cost-effective manner.

24.  Meets with all levels of nursing personnel routinely to communicate information and foster routine interpersonal relationships.

25.  Ensures that nursing interventions meet the personal, physical and cognitive needs of each client as well as maximize his/her self-care capacities, identity, independence, choice and opportunity for social interaction.

26.  Participates in the selection of clients to be admitted by evaluating the level and amount of care required by prospective individuals in relation to existing nursing capabilities.

27.  Ensures that each nursing department employee’s orientation/education includes meeting the personal, cognitive and physical needs of clients.

28.  Ensures that nursing personnel assist in the assigned comprehensive functional assessment in accordance with the individual’s preferences and needs.

29.  Commits nursing manpower to support individual and group activities, including out of facility functions.

30.  Completes rounds on a daily basis to ensure that clients are receiving services, which are compliant with accepted facility/nursing standards.

31.  Ensures compliance with all federal, state and local standards and regulations by conducting periodic self-surveys by outside agencies and correcting areas of non-compliance.

32.  Periodically visits all nursing shifts to monitor performance of nursing staff and to ensure that quality care is being provided to clients.

33.  Observes the performance of nursing personnel and audits nursing practices to ensure adherence with established objectives, standards, policies and procedures.

34.  Discusses and implements plan of action to correct deficient areas identified on quality reviews.

35.  Establishes and monitors procedures to ensure all nursing budgets [staff, supplies/expenses, chargeable and non-chargeable] are within approved parameters and account for variances.

36.  Ensures a safe and sanitary environment for clients, employees and visitors.

37.  Participates in ensuring a safe environment for clients, staff and family.

38.  Investigates al nursing department employee accidents in accordance with procedures outlined in the facility’s safety standards.

39.  Monitors and reviews client incidents to identify possible legal issues and to identify patterns that might require preventive intervention.

40.  Implements infection control policies and procedures as outlined in company program. Ensures that all nursing staff are educated and utilize infection control practices that protect staff, clients and families.

41.  Monitors the employee health program to ensure that employees are physically able to work, that on-the-job injuries are documented, investigated and treated, and that required tuberculosis monitoring is accomplished, documented and filed.

42.  Actively maintain cohesive public and professional relationships with clients, families, physicians and the community.

43.  Projects a positive image of the facility by displaying a high degree of professionalism, demonstrating concern and courtesy in interactions with individuals, families, medical staff, employees, volunteers and outside agencies affiliated with the facility.

44.  Represents the facility and nursing service in professional and community activities.

45.  Maintains open, effective and ongoing communications with the QIDP and facility staff.

EXPOSURE RISK

The Director of Nursing is at high risk for exposure to blood and body fluids when actively providing nursing care to individuals.  Performance of administrative duties results in minimal exposure risk.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Supervised by the Administrator or Administrator’s designee.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Exercises administrative and functional supervision over nursing department personnel.

QUALIFICATIONS

Current RN license in the state.

·       EDUCATION

BSN/MSN Degree preferred

·       EXPERIENCE

Three to five years’ progressive management experience preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

1.   Sits, stands, bends, lift, and move intermittently throughout the workday.

2.   Subject to frequent interruptions.

3.   Attends ongoing educational experiences pertaining to the position and/or required for licensure/certification of the profession to keep current with trends in the field of program services as well as management principles.

4.   May be subject to infectious diseases, waste, conditions, etc., including the potential exposure to AIDS and HEPATITIS B viruses.

5.   Works beyond normal 8-5 working hours, weekends, holidays, other positions and various shifts.

6.   Subject to falls, cuts, bruises, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the working day.

7.   Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset clients, family members, personnel, visitors, etc.

8.   Generally will work in an air-conditioned, heated and ventilated building and may work outdoors

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

1.     Must possess a current, unencumbered license to practice as a RN in the state.

2.     Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.

3.     Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when necessary.

4.     Must be able to relate information concerning the client’s condition.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS  (With or without the aid of mechanical devices)

1.   Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.

2.   Must be able to read, write and speak the English language in an understandable manner.

3.   Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.

4.   Must possess sight/hearing senses, or use prosthetics that will enable those senses to function adequately so that the requirements of the position can be fully met.

5.   Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.

6.   May be required to lift, push, and pull, no more than 25 lbs.

7.   Must have personal integrity, have flexibility, and the ability to work effectively with others.

8.   Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times, hostile persons including residents, family members, visitors, etc.

9.   Must function independently without direct supervision.

10. Must maintain good grooming, personal hygiene skills and appearance.