Director of Nursing - ALF - Gardens of Eastbrooke

Purpose of Your Job Position

The primary purpose of your job position is to plan, organize, develop and direct the overall operation of our Nursing Service Department in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern our facility, and as may be requires by the Administrator and the Medical Director, to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.

Delegation of Authority

As Director Of Nursing you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Job Function

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.

Duties and Responsibilities Administrative Functions

Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct the nursing service department, as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current rules, regulation, and guidelines that govern the assistant living facility.

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

Develop, maintain, and periodically update the Nursing Service procedures manual and nursing service objectives and philosophies.

Develop and implement a nursing service organization structure.

Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the Administrator, as necessary/required, concerning the operation of the nursing department.

Develop, implement, and maintain an ongoing quality assurance program for the nursing department.

Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as may be requested.

Assist the Quality Assurance Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct deficiencies.

Cooperate with other resident services when coordinating nursing services to ensure that the resident's total regimen of care is maintained.

Ensure that all nursing service personnel are in compliance with their respective job descriptions.

Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc., as necessary.

Complete accident/incident reports as necessary.

Write resident charge slips and forward to the Business Office.

Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc., as necessary.

Assist in calculating the number of direct nursing care personnel on duty each shift. Report such information to the Administrator or his/her designee to ensure that accurate staffing information is posted.

Personnel Functions

Determine the staffing needs of the nursing service department necessary to meet the total nursing needs of the residents.

Ensure that all nursing staff are enrolled in or have graduated from an approved training program. Ensure all nursing department personnel have current licenses as per state regulations.

Delegate to nursing service supervisory personnel the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary to perform duties.

Assist the HR Director in developing performance evaluation schedules’ criteria, and annual reviews for the nursing service department.

Make daily rounds of the nursing service department to ensure that all nursing service personnel are performing their work assignments in accordance with acceptable nursing standards.

Monitor absenteeism to ensure that an adequate number of nursing care personnel are on duty at all times.

Review complaints/grievances made or filed by department personnel. Provide reports to the Administrator as required or as may be necessary.

Ensure that departmental disciplinary action is administered fairly and without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, religion, handicap, or marital status.

Assist the infection control coordinator in establishing a TB management program for employees. Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents.

Terminate employment of personnel when necessary, documenting and coordinating such actions with the HR Director and/or Administrator.

Report known or suspected incidents of fraud to the Administrator.

Ensure that departmental computer workstations left unattended are properly logged off or the password protected automatic screen-saver activates within established facility policy guidelines.

Nursing Care Functions

Participate in the interviewing and selection of residents for admission to the facility.

Provide the Administrator with information relative to the nursing needs of the resident and the nursing service department’s ability to meet those needs.

Inform nursing service personnel of new admissions, their expected time of arrival, room assignment, etc.

Make rounds with physicians as necessary. Schedule physician visits as necessary.

Encourage attending physicians to record and sign progress notes, physicians’ orders, etc., on a timely basis and in accordance with current regulations.

Ensure that direct nursing care be provided by a licensed nurse, a CNA, and/or a nurse aide trainee qualified to perform the procedure.

Review nurses’ notes to ensure that they are informative and descriptive of the nursing care being provided, that they reflect the resident’s response to the care, and that such care is provided in accordance with the resident’s wishes.

Schedule daily rounds to observe residents and to determine if nursing needs are being met in accordance with the resident’s request.

Monitor medication passes and treatment schedules to ensure that medications are being administered as ordered and that treatments are provided as scheduled.

Provide direct nursing care as necessary.

Ensure that residents who are unable to call for help are checked frequently.

Complete and file required record keeping forms/charts.

Ensure nursing personnel receive telephone orders from physicians and record on the Physician's Order Form and transcribe physician's orders to resident charts, medication cards, treatment/care plans, as required.

Ensure nursing personnel chart nurses' notes in an informative and descriptive manner that reflects the care provided to the resident, as well as the resident's response to the care when appropriate.

Ensure nursing personnel complete all accident/incident reports involving residents, record new/changed diet orders and forward information to the Dietary Department.

Ensure nursing personnel report all discrepancies noted concerning physician's orders, diet change, charting error, etc.

Staff Development

Participate in developing, planning, conducting and scheduling in-service training classes that provide instructions on "how to do the job", and ensure a well-educated nursing service department.

Implement and maintain an effective orientation program that orients the new employee to your shift, its policies and procedures, and to his/her job position and duties.

Assist the Administrator in developing and revising the nursing assistant training curriculum used by the facility.

Assist the In-service Director/Educator in developing annual facility in-service training programs; (e.g., OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, Infection Control, etc.)

Assist support services in developing, implementing, and conducting in-service training programs that relate to the nursing service department.

Assist the In-service Director/Educator in the development of in-service training programs for the nursing staff.

Attend and participate in continuing educational programs designed to keep you abreast of changes in your profession, as well as to maintain your license on a current status.

Safety and Sanitation

Monitor your assigned personnel to ensure that they are following established safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies.

Ensure that established departmental policies and procedures, including dress codes, are followed by your assigned nursing personnel.

Ensure that an adequate supply of personal protective equipment is on hand and are readily available to personnel who perform procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids.

Ensure that the nurses' station and medicine preparation rooms are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner.

Ensure that your assigned personnel follow established hand washing techniques in the administering of nursing care procedures.

Assist the Infection Control Committee in the development, implementation, and revising of written aseptic and isolation techniques.

Ensure that your assigned personnel participate in and conduct all fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner.

Participate in the development, implementation and maintenance of the procedures for reporting hazardous conditions.

Report missing/illegible labels and MSDSs to the safety officer or other designated person.

Equipment and Supplies

Recommend to the Administrator the equipment and supply needs of the department.

Ensure that an adequate stock level of medications, medical supplies, equipment, etc., is maintained on your unit/shift at all times to meet the needs of the residents.

Assist the Maintenance Director in developing a preventive maintenance program for maintaining the nursing service department’s equipment and supplies in a safe and operable manner.

Develop and implement procedures for the safe operation of all nursing service equipment.

Ensure that only trained and authorized personnel operate the department’s equipment.

Ensure that all personnel operate nursing service equipment in a safe manner.

Develop and implement procedures that ensure nursing service supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.

Ensure that personal protective equipment used in the handling of infectious materials are available and easily accessible to nursing service personnel.

Ensure that appropriate MSDSs are on file for hazardous chemicals used in the nursing service department.

Resident Rights

Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information.

Monitor nursing care to ensure that all residents are treated fairly, and with kindness, dignity, and respect.

Ensure that all nursing care is provided in privacy and that nursing service personnel knock before entering the resident's apartment.

Ensure that all nursing service personnel are knowledgeable of the resident's responsibilities-and-rights  including the right to-re-fuse- treatment.

Report and investigate all allegations of resident abuse and/or misappropriation of resident's property.

Ensure that nursing staff personnel honor the resident's refusal of treatment request.

Working Conditions

Works in office area(s) as well as throughout the nursing service area (i.e. drug rooms, nurses' stations, resident rooms, etc).

Moves intermittently during working hours. Is subject to frequent interruptions.

Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.

Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors.

Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department supervisors.

Works beyond normal working hours, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.

Is subject to call back during emergency conditions (e.g. severe weather, evacuations, post-disaster, etc.).

Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.

Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday, as well as to reaction from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants.

Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.

May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, support departments, etc. to adequately plan for the residents' needs.

Education

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing

Specific Requirements

Valid license as a Registered and/or Licensed Practical Nurse in the State of Florida. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Must be supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of team work and  team concept.

Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to nursing care facilities.

Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures, etc., that are necessary for providing quality care.

Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents.

Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.

Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.

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