Director of Nursing Services

Summary of Duties

Responsible for planning, organizing, developing, and directing the overall operation of Nursing Services for the Facility in accordance with current federal, state and local standards, guidelines and regulations that govern the facility and as may be directed by the Executive Director and the Medical Director to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.

Essential Job Functions

1. Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct the nursing service department, as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long-term care facility.
2. Recommend to the Quality Assurance Committee and implement approved policies and procedures that govern the day-to-day functions of the nursing service department.
3. Make written and oral reports and recommendations to the Executive Director, as necessary/required, concerning the operation of the nursing service department.
4. Assist in the recruitment, selection, and placement of qualified employees. Assist in verification of nurses’ credentials and maintain a system which indicates qualifications, experience, accomplishments, and competency of each member of Nursing Services.
5. Supervise and develop nursing staff by providing guidance concerning problem solving and professional development.
6. Adjust staffing levels up or down as appropriate on a shift by shift basis, based on patient census and acuity levels
7. Develop work assignments and schedule duty hours, and/or assist nursing supervisory staff in completing and performing such tasks.
8. Assist in developing competency criteria for the clinical employees.
9. Develop, implement, and maintain an effective orientation program that orients the new employee to Nursing Services policies and procedures, and to his/her job position and duties.
10. Direct behaviors of staff by use of observation. Take immediate corrective action, to include counseling and/or appropriate disciplinary action when necessary.
11. Evaluate staff performance and effects changes as necessary. Complete ninety (90) day and annual performance evaluations in a timely manner to include descriptive and/or objective performance information.
12. Develop methods for coordination of nursing services with other resident services to ensure the continuity of the residents’ total regimen of care.
13. Develop, implement, and maintain an ongoing Quality Assurance Program.
14. Assist the discharge planning team in developing, implementing, and periodically updating the written procedures for the Discharge Planning Program.
15. Schedule daily rounds on all shifts to observe residents and to determine if nursing needs are being met in accordance with the residents’ requests.
16. Participate in the interviewing and selection of residents for admission to the facility, including screenings.
17. Make rounds with physicians as necessary. Schedule physician visits as necessary.
18. Monitor medication passes and treatment schedules to ensure that medications are being administered as ordered and that treatments are provided as scheduled with appropriate technique utilized.
19. Develop and implement procedures for the safe operation of all nursing service equipment, including competency evaluation of staff.
20. Prepare and plan the nursing service department’s budget and submit to the Executive Director for review, recommendations, and/or approval.
21. Provide direct nursing care as necessary.
22. Inform nursing employees of new admissions, their expected time of arrival, room assignment, etc.
23. Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc., as necessary.
24. Perform other duties and responsibilities as directed by supervisor including any special projects.

Education and Experience

Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing and licensed as a Registered Nurse by the State of Alabama. A minimum of five (5) years experience as a manager in a hospital, long-term care facility, or other related health care facility required. One (1) year training experience in rehabilitative and restorative nursing practices preferred. Must possess CPR certification within thirty (30) days of employment.

Physical Requirements for Essential Job Functions

1. Must be able to move about intermittently throughout the workday.
2. Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
3. Must be able to reach, bend, and/or stoop intermittently throughout the work day.
4. Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
5. Must be able to push, pull, or move a minimum of 100 pounds utilizing proper body mechanics and assistance.
6. Must be able to walk/stand 75% of the day.