Director of Nursing

Position Summary

The Director of Nursing's (DON) primary responsibility is to ensure the provision of quality nursing care on a 24-hour basis in accordance with federal, state, local and professional standards, guidelines, and regulations. The incumbent is responsible for the recruitment and hiring of both licensed and non-licensed personnel. This position monitors the job performance of the nursing staff, monitors Nursing Department performance evaluations, and completes performance evaluations of RNs, LPNs, and CNAs who work in the nursing department. The DON monitors the staffing levels of various nursing sections; and as necessary, directs staff rotations and reschedules personnel to meet increased or decreased nursing service demands.

The DON develops nursing service objectives, policies and procedures and directs the implementation of these objectives. The incumbent continuously monitors federal and state guidelines and requirements and revises departmental procedures accordingly. This position also monitors on-going staff development programs for all nursing personnel. The Director of Nursing functions as a liaison between the residents, their families, staff and the general public – responding to inquiries and providing information on nursing care and services.

The position assists with the preparation of the departmental annual budget and maintains the operating budgets for personnel and medical equipment and makes budget recommendations as to the purchase of such equipment. 

The Director of Nursing is responsible for overseeing and implementing infection control, pharmaceutical and physical/chemical restraining policies and procedures, and assures that committee recommendations are carried out. 

Purpose of Position: To provide quality nursing care, with a positive professional attitude, to patients using the Nursing Process, following established policy and procedures, and adhering to current nursing standards of practice. 

Mission of Department: The nursing department at Scott County Hospital is dedicated to providing care that promotes the physical, spiritual, emotional and mental well-being of the people we serve. Nursing associates are expected to support the mission by exemplifying teamwork as the core of how we work; honesty and loyalty to one another and the organization; patients at the center of all we do and pride in a job well done.  

Essential Functions:

· Develop, maintain, and implement nursing policies and procedures that conform to current standards of nursing practice, facility philosophy, and operational polices while maintaining compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.

· Communicate and interpret policies and procedures to nursing staff, and monitors staff practices and implementation.

· Evaluates the work performance of all nursing personnel, assists in the determination of wage increases, and implements discipline according to operational polices.

· Collaborates with physicians, consultants, community agencies, and institutions to improve the quality of services and to resolve identified problems.

· Oversees nursing schedules to assure they meet patient needs and regulatory and budgetary standards.

· Oversees the recruitment and selection of nursing personnel and assures sufficient staff are hired. 

· Oversees and supervises development and delivery of in-service education to equip nursing staff with sufficient knowledge and skills to provide compassionate, quality care.

· Performance rounds to observe care and to interview staff, patients, families or other interested parties.

· Monitors staff for compliance with OSHA mandates and facility policies on workplace safety. Proactively develops procedures and incentives to promote workplace safety and safe work practices.

· Monitors nursing staff compliance with the infection control program.

· Is an active member of the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Committee.

· Coordinates and/or develops on-going QA activities for nursing services.

· Participates in budget development for the nursing department.

· Participates in the preparation of the Plan of Correction response to an inspection survey and implements any follow-up QA required. 

· Communicates directly with patients, families, medical staff, nursing staff, interdisciplinary team members, and supervisors to coordinate care and services for best patient outcomes. 

· Promotes customer service and hospitality and responds to and adequately resolves complaints or concerns. 

· Promotes compliance with accident prevention procedures, safety rules, and safe work practices to prevent employee injury and illness and control worker's compensation costs. 

· Acts in an administrative capacity in the absence of the Chief Nursing Officer. 

The preceding functions have been provided as examples of the types of work performed by employees assigned in this job classification. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind work assignments and to make reasonable accommodations as needed. 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills and /or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Requirements

Customer Services Skills: Associate has the ability to establish and maintain effective positive and professional working relationships with patients, families, healthcare team co-workers and the public. Expresses alternative points of view while respecting others' opinions in a fast paced environment. Works and communicates effectively and respectfully with persons of various multicultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and educational levels. Deals understandingly and tactfully with patients, families, healthcare team, co-workers and the public. 

Teamwork: Associate provides, empowers and fosters a team working environment by communicating effectively with others and providing support to others/departments.

Corporate Compliance: Associate must participate in educational programs regarding Code of Conduct, HIPPA Privacy and Security regulations and must comply with principles, standards, and policies pertinent to confidentiality, the code of Conduct and HIPPA.

Ethics: Associate must adhere to strong ethical guidance in all decisions and take ethical actions on behalf of others by providing services with respect to human dignity, age and culture specific needs. Associates must demonstrate ethical actions in the working environment and deliver care without bias based on personal attributes, nature of the disease, gender, race, creed, religion, or socioeconomic status.

Safety and Emergency Management: Associate follows all safety and emergency management policies and procedures, maintains familiarity with all relevant policies and procedures, and assists in the education/training of others regarding their roles and required actions.

Education/In-services: Associate keeps abreast of new developments in the field/department, participates in continuing education/in-services as required, and serves as technical resource for providers, staff, students, or other pertinent individuals. Associate regularly checks company provided email, bulletin boards, and mailbox to stay up to date with changes within the department and hospital.

Personal Characteristics:

· High energy level.

· Superior interpersonal abilities. Ability to get along with diverse personalities, tactful, mature, flexible. 

· Excellent reasoning abilities. Discretion and good judgment.

· Excellent communication skills.

· Resourceful and well organized.

· Participative management style-advocate of team concept.

· Ability to establish credibility and be decisive – but able to recognize and support the organization's preferences and priorities.

· Results and people oriented, having sound judgement-ability to balance other considerations.

· Service oriented, but assertive/persuasive.

· Professional appearance and manner.

Education/Experience: Graduate of an accredited school of nursing and has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. Master of Science in nursing is preferred. Knowledge of general nursing theory and practice required. Knowledge of principles, methods and techniques involved in performing general nursing services and adapting or modify standards of nursing practices for care of specific medical cases. Knowledge of regulatory requirements that govern healthcare and how they affect nursing practice.  Five years of nursing practice experience required. Management experience preferred. 

Licenses and Certifications: Current Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the State of Kansas or has work permit from the State Board of Nursing. American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers certification required or must complete BLS certification within one month of employment. ACLS, PALS, and NRP certification is required and must be completed within 6 months of employment. TNCC certification is required and must be completed within one year of employment.

Schedule Availability: during business hours Monday through Friday. Available to help staff with unusual situations. 

Expectation of Service: This is an exempt position with hours of work generally performed during business hours on weekdays.

Supervisory Responsibility: Registered Nurses (RN), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), Licensed Practical Nurses with IV skills, Graduate Practical Nurses, Graduate Nurses, Student Nurses, Certified Nurse Aides (CNA), and Ward Clerks (WC).

Additional Responsibilities: Perform other duties, within scope of practice, as directed by the Chief Nursing Officer or Charge Nurse.

General Aptitudes

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires general aptitudes and physical requirements needed to perform the job listed above. Individuals who have the position must be able to perform all essential job functions unaided or with reasonable accommodation.

Mental Abilities: Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions. Ability to guide and/or give instructions and to make decisions in accordance with established procedures and policies. Ability to focus, concentrate and use critical thinking skills. Ability to comprehend forms in space and understand relationships of plane and solid objects.

Verbal Abilities: Communicate effectively in English.

Numerical Abilities: Ability to perform arithmetic operations quickly and accurately.

Physical Requirements

Motor Coordination: Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, or fingers rapidly and accurately in making precise movements. Ability to use a telephone, copy and fax machine. Able to manipulate computer keyboard, mouse, computerized systems. Medical Equipment Finger Dexterity: Ability to move fingers and manipulate small objects with the fingers rapidly or accurately.

Physical Demands: Lift: continuously 5-10 lbs.; frequently 11-50 lbs.; occasionally lbs.; rarely 100 lbs. Push/pull: frequently 5-10 lbs.; occasionally 11-50 lbs.; rarely 51 lbs. Hold/carry occasionally 5-10 lbs.; rarely 11 lbs. Manipulation done from ground to waist level and waist to shoulder. Climbing: to move up or mount by using the hands or feet. Stairways: occasionally. Stand: occasionally. Sit: up to 8 hours/day. Walk: frequently 8 hours/day.

Manual Dexterity & Sensation: Ability to stretch out, extend, or put forth a body part. Ability to touch or grasp something by extending or stretching. Ability to touch, lift, hold or operate with the hands.

Sight: Essential to job function are peripheral vision focus (distinctness or clarity), depth perception (determine distance relationship between objects), and ability to distinguish colors.

Scott County Hospital is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristics as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.