Director of Nursing Services

Summary

The Director of Nursing Services is responsible for ensuring safe high-quality care in accordance with current federal, state, and local regulations and evidenced based guidelines. Leads operations through the principles of high reliability to support the mission and a culture of safety. Oversees the clinical caregiver, overall nursing operations, and physical therapy program. Establishes goals for the nursing and physical therapy programs. Participates as a member of the management team in planning, evidenced based policy formulation, and administrative decision making with attention to the role, functions, and operations of all nursing services programs. Responsible for resident care, management, resource management, and fiscal management.

Job Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

Clinical

• Develops and implements nursing practice standards of excellence, evidenced based practice, and shared governance model

• Responsible for ensuring individualized care for residents including transport, physical therapy, and resident activities

• Identifies new residents; develops individual plan of care in collaboration with family members and healthcare providers

• Responsible for the development and leads implementation of the clinical portion of the Quality, Infection Prevention, and Culture of Safety programs

Caregiver Management

• Responsible for hiring and firing of department caregivers, caregiver performance, corrective action, credentials, caregiver recruitment, caregiver retention, and caregiver development

• Develops and implements an educational program supportive of regulatory requirements, nursing practice standards, and evidenced based practice

• Responsible for determining, implementing and evaluating staffing model consistent with evidence-based literature and resident acuity

Documentation

• Sets and develops policies and procedures that govern nursing services, transport, physical therapy, respite, and resident activities

• Develops and ensures documentation standards are met for clinical care in all aspects of the resident medical records including individual plans of care

• Oversees clinical incident report reviews and investigations and subsequent documentation

Leadership

• Collaborates with internal departments and external agencies regarding resources and services for improved resident care and caregiver development.

• Encourages and supports research and improvements that can make meaningful contributions to the quality and economy of Pope’s Place clinical services

• Prepares and monitors nursing budget; conduct financial planning to ensure facility operates within allocated funds and cost-effective way

• Serves as a spokesperson for nursing matters and represents Pope’s Place with professional nursing and related organizations

• Adheres to HIPAA and all state and federal medical privacy laws

• Other duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities

• Clinical; ability to adhere to the professional standards of nursing practice and provide services consistent with the mission.

• Regulatory; knowledge of state and federal healthcare regulations pertaining to home health care, specifically pediatric group care facilities and adult family homes.

• Leadership; ability to direct, develop, and evaluate clinical caregivers in a collaborative manner. Ability to apply conflict resolution strategies as needed.

• Independent Judgment; ability to independently manage programs and delivery of services. High degree of initiative and accountability in decision making.

• Problem solving and analytical skill; ability to think critically and formulate solutions based on data and observation.

• Financial Literacy; high financial acumen, ability to make informed and effective decisions with financial resources and within budget.

• Communication and active listening; ability to communicate effectively, understand concerns, assess conditions, and explain instructions. Ability to read, write, and speak English clearly.

• Emotional Stability; calm demeanor and patience. Ability to manage emotions during emergencies and other stressful situations. Ability to maintain caring nature while administering residents' care or working with clinical caregivers.

• Adhere to organization’s policies, procedures, and safety regulations.

• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity and respect to community members from multiple cultures, and to individuals who experience disabilities.

Work Environment

This position is inclusive of all resident care programs of Pope’s Place. The position requires flexibility and willingness to work nights, weekends, and holidays. Hours of work are subject to operational needs. Share on call duties on a rotating schedule. May be needed to cover floor, shifts, or transport when necessary.

The environment may include exposure to communicable diseases, bodily fluids, and other potential hazards. Nursing caregiver must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required and follow strict guidelines to protect self and residents from infectious diseases; use proper lifting techniques at all times and pursue help as needed.

This position will work a standard full-time schedule but must ensure that a qualified nursing caregiver is available at all times to provide support, direction, and caregiver coverage. Per licensing standards, the DNS will delegate supervisory responsibility to the Nursing Manager during absences.

Physical and Sensory Demands

Position requires full range of motion. Must be able to walk, bend, stretch, lift and stand. Must be able to grasp and use fine hand coordination. Must be able to distinguish between smells, must be able to hear audible sounds, must be able to lift 50lbs, must be able to operate a care safely.

Travel

Out of town travel may be required for this position.

• Masters Degree in Nursing with a current state RN license

• At least five years of current supervisory experience in a nursing environment

• High Reliability Organization experience preferred

• May consider Bachelor’s in Nursing with exemplary experience and completion of Masters Degree within 2-3 years of hire

• Must pass a State and Federal Background Check, including fingerprints

• Valid State Driver’s License

• Must maintain current vehicle insurance

• Current Healthcare Provider BLS/CPR

• Current Food Handler’s Permit or within 30 days of hire

• Proof of licensing required vaccinations

• Abuse Prevention Systems Sexual Abuse Awareness Training within 90 days of hire

• DDA Developmental Disabilities Specialty Training within 90 days of hire

• DOH In Home Services Orientation Class within 90 days of hire

• DSHA Adult Family Home Administrator Training within one year of hire

• Must acquire and provide proof of 30 hours of CEU’s per year