Director of Nursing/Infection Control

The Director of Nursing/Infection Control is responsible for the clinical practice of nursing, coordinating the activities of the facilities infection control program and to assess the facility’s staff development needs in collaboration with directors of varying departments.

Duties of Position:

1.      Direct the provision of 24-hour nursing services for the facility.

2.      Develop, implement and revise nursing services policies and procedures within the guidelines and rules and regulations of the facility by taking into consideration the recommendations of the CEO, Medical Director and Director of Clinical Services.

3.      Review the progress, quality and effectiveness of all nursing programs.

4.      Establish methods for evaluating nursing care practices, formulate plans for new programs and changes to existing programs and initiate and/or utilize studies and research applicable to the development of nursing services.

5.      Consult with the CEO on the development of long and short-term facility projects, goals and objectives of nursing services.

6.      Establish nursing committees as needed for quality and resident care needs.

7.      Strategically solve problems that encompass the larger view of the organization and establish goals by utilizing an understanding of organizational dynamics in planning and problem solving.

8.      Participate in developing, justifying and controlling the annual budget for department personnel, facilities and equipment.

9.      Ensure all nursing services maintain current departmental manuals.

10.  Maintain an active involvement and awareness of all patient admissions, discharges and transfers.

11.  Meet regularly with Director of Clinical Services to ensure compliance with program goals and objectives.

12.  Serve on facility committees and attend meetings as assigned.

13.  Act as a behavior model in transmitting clinical and procedural expertise to other nursing staff.

14.  Show evidence of continuing education in the area of nursing administration, nursing management and hospital administration.

15.  Maintain membership of appropriate nursing and health care related organizations.

16.  Maintain current awareness of mental health activities in the community.

17.  Remain current on all nursing standards and techniques and provide direction to staff and facility personnel on changing standards as required.

18.  Evaluate RN and LPN regarding personnel performance and assist them in counseling to help them meet the prescribed goals of performance.

19.  Maintain and allocate a well qualified core of nursing resources.

20.  Assure that hiring, disciplinary actions and terminations procedures are conducted in accordance with facility policies.

21.  Involve appropriate facility management in all decisions and review these decisions with CEO prior to implementation.

22.  Assure adequate supervision and evaluation processes for all nursing staff members.

23.  Assure adequate orientation for all new nursing employees.

24.  In conjunction with department directors, provide educational needs and professional development of staff.

25.  Ensure that the nursing staff schedule and configuration will meet the needs and demands of the resident population and census and adjust it accordingly.

26.  Ensure an adequate system of communication and reporting is maintained between all staff members, as well as other departments involved in the ongoing operation of the nursing program.

27.  Create a structure that best meets the needs of the organization, particularly department organization related to supervision and assignment of staff.

28.  Routinely review job assignments and utilization of staff.

29.  Provides an adequate nurse staffing pattern to meet resident needs, based on resident census.

30.  Adhere to facility, department, corporate, personnel and standard policies and procedures.

31.  Attend all mandatory facility in-services and staff development activities and punctuality.

32.  Support facility-wide quality/performance improvement goals and objectives.

33.  Maintain confidentiality of facility employees and resident information.

34.  Develop and maintain a method of identifying and recording known or suspected infections in residents and employees.

35.  Carry out periodic inspections to ensure that procedures for the control of infections are being followed correctly.

36.  Monitor employee and resident illnesses and health activities, respond to problem situations in an urgent manner and report the number and type to the Quality Council Committee.

37.  Participate in infection control education of all employees during orientation and annually thereafter, including classes in infection control practices and employee health.

38.  Assist with the development of an education program pertaining to the infection control within the facility.

Note:  The essential job functions of this position are not limited to the duties listed above.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

            Nurses (RN, LPN)

Qualifications/Competencies:

Bachelors degree for an accredited school of nursing; Master’s degree in psychiatric nursing or related field preferred.  Must have a minimum of five (5) years experience in nursing administration and/or dedicated leadership experience in psychiatric nursing.  Must be licensed as a Registered Nurse in the applicable state.  Thorough knowledge of our accrediting regulations and federal regulatory standards OR capability of learning such, CPR certification, First Aid certification.  Excellent verbal and written communication skills, ability to maintain confidentiality regarding all information; organizational, prioritization and time management skills; stress management skills, crisis management skills, analysis and evaluation skills, decision-making skills, basic teaching/training skills, ability to understand and apply applicable standards and regulations, ability to maintain flexibility, establish and meet deadlines.  Valid license required.

Machines, Tools and Equipment Used:

Telephone and paging system, Computer system, software and printer, Calculator/10-Key, Copy/Facsimile machine, pager, policy/procedure manual, program manuals.

Physical and Mental Requirements of Job:

Ability to work a minimum 40 hour week, ability to sit for long periods, up to eight hours, ability to use both hands in fine and gross manipulation of small tools (copier, computer, telephone, calculator, facsimile machine).  Ability to push and pull up to 10 lbs. (file cabinet drawers, computer paper boxes).  Ability to see well enough to read charts, handwritten and typewritten material.  Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds to move/transfer file boxes, data processing paper and newly admitted resident’s belongings.  Ability to stoop, kneel and bend daily.  Ability to reach, turn and twist above and below the waist.  Ability to stand and walk the facility grounds daily.  Ability to handle a variety of repetitive tasks at a moderate level and work at a rapid pace.  Ability to frequently handle hazardous/infectious waste.  Must be willing to travel in a work related capacity occasionally overnight.  Subject to inside environment.  Must demonstrate self-control in potentially volatile, hostile or combative situations.