Job Description

Director of Nursing (DON)

The Director of Nursing is responsible for planning, organizing, developing, and directing the overall operation of the Nursing Department in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations. This position is also responsible for ensuring that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.

Job Responsibilities:

• Organize and direct nursing administration, nursing services and resident care developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating and directing the day-to-day functions of the Nursing Department, its programs and activities.
• Maintains clear lines of authority and responsibility with the development of nursing services.
• Participate in developing, maintaining and periodically updating written nursing policies, procedures, reference materials, manuals, objections, and philosophies.
• Make recommendations to facility QI Committee for facility policy and procedure, development and revisions. Take drafts to DON meeting for approval.
• Ensure that the nursing services manuals are current at all times and reflect the day-to-day operations and procedures at the facility.
• Assist in developing and implementing methods for coordinating nursing services with other resident services.
• Work with QI Committee to develop & implement plans of action to correct deficiencies.
• Send drafts of all Plan of Correction to correct deficiencies to Regional Director of Clinical Service for approval prior to submission to regulatory agencies.
• Complete incident reports and follow up on reports.
• Reporting to the Regional Director of Clinical Services as required.
• Complete medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charts, etc., ensure that all nursing services personnel are performing their respective duties.
• Participate in developing, implementing, and maintaining a quality assurance program.
• Assist in planning, developing, implementing, and maintaining resident discharge procedures and plans.
• Responsible for reports for monthly P&L meetings (e.g. P&L QI report, State QI report, Threshold Tracking Sheet & QA Meeting Minutes).
• Participate in surveys and inspections by government agencies; and, make reports and recommendations to the Administrator concerning operations of the department.
• Participates in department head and nursing department meetings.
• Assumes the duties of the Administrator in his/her absence.
• Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the Administrator, as necessary/required, concerning the operation of the nursing department.
• Develop, maintain, and periodically update written job descriptions for each level of nursing personnel obtaining required approval prior to implementation.
• Knowledge of company goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and federal, state, and local regulations.
• Utilizes company policies and procedures, job descriptions, quality assurance surveys, regulations, etc., to identify, plan, implement, and assist in evaluations of experiences.
• Interpret the departments policies and procedures to personnel, resident, families, visitors, and government agencies as necessary.
• Assure adequate 24-hour nursing coverage in facility each day.
• Determine the staffing needs of the nursing department necessary to meet the total nursing need of the residents.

Education and Qualifications:

• Must possess, as a minimum, a degree in nursing from an accredited school.
• Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Pennsylvania.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Must have, as a minimum, 2 years of experience as a supervisor in a hospital, long-term care facility, or other related health care facility.
• Must have previous long-term care experience.
• Computer knowledge preferred.