Director of Nursing Services​/Wellness Director

Job Description

The Director of Nursing is responsible for the day to day coordination and oversight of all aspects of the Nursing Department in accordance with current Federal, State and local regulations.

The Director of Nursing directly reports to the Administrator of the facility and is responsible for coordinating nursing‑specific and clinical programs. Additionally, the Director of Nursing has a dotted line reporting responsibility to the Clinical Services Coordinator assigned to the facility.

The Director of Nursing supervises administratively all licensed nursing staff, C.N.A.’s, staffing coordinator, medical records coordinator, and all staff of his/her respective discipline. Supervision follows all accepted state and federal guidelines for the respective discipline. The DON assumes the role of the Administrator in their absence.

• Coordinate, organize, implement, evaluate and direct the nursing service department and its programs and activities in accordance with current rules, regulations and guidelines that govern the nursing care facility.
• Maintain a reference library and periodically update to assist the nursing service department in meeting the day‑to‑day needs of the residents.
• Develop and maintain methods for coordinating nursing services with other resident services to ensure the continuity of the resident’s total regimen of care.
• Participate in facility surveys made by authorized government agencies as necessary or as directed.
• Maintain a cooperative and productive relationship with the assigned Clinical Services Coordinator; follow‑up and ensure resolution to all identified issues.
• Develop action plans for systems issues and quality indicators over threshold and submit to CSC for review.
• Collect, review and analyze clinical outcome data and determine trends.
• Attend and provide clinical outcome data trends at the QA and A committee meeting monthly.
• Participate in the QA and A Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies.
• Assist in planning for resident admissions and discharges.
• Serve on, participate in and attend various committees of the facility as appointed by the Administrator.
• Determine and monitor the staffing needs of the nursing department and ensure the assignment of appropriate and adequate numbers of nursing staff daily for each shift to ensure that the needs of the residents are met.
• Review annually at a minimum, all nursing services policies and procedures.
• Participate in the interviewing process and select, with the Administrator’s approval, all Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants.
• Ensure yearly written performance evaluation of all nursing staff.
• Assist support services in developing, implementing, and conducting in‑service training programs that relate to the nursing department.
• Ensure that there are adequate supplies for resident care.
• Ensure that medical and nursing care is administered in accordance with the resident’s wishes and per the individualized care plan.
• In coordination with the Administrator, prepare, plan and adhere to the nursing services budget.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information.
• Ensure residents are treated with dignity and respect and resident rights are maintained.

• Attend daily department head and facilitate clinical meeting; lead and focus nursing management staff in resolving identified resident care and services concerns.
• Conduct nursing unit rounds at least twice daily during tour of duty; assign licensed nurse to resolve any observed/identified issues.
• Ensure adequate staffing is maintained per budgeted parameters.
• Review any and all resident/staff events and grievances, ensure investigations are conducted as indicated and protocols are followed.
• Promptly review resident referrals for admission as they arise during the day.
• Assist in the admission and discharge process.
• Manage the daily resident and family concerns as required for the Nursing department.
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