Description
Position Title: Director of Nursing
Department: Nursing Administration
Reports To: Chief Nursing Officer
FLSA Status: Exempt
Job Summary:
Responsible for daily operations including budget, program development and nursing services of the Long Term Acute Unit and its clinical partners at Sonoma Specialty Hospital.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
• Direct and coordinate the daily clinical and administrative operations of the nursing department to ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based patient care for the facility's 58 medically complex patients.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for specialty nursing departments, including but not limited to Wound Care and Dialysis, ensuring they meet clinical, regulatory, and quality standards.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate nursing and clinical department goals, objectives, standards of performance, policies, and procedures in alignment with the hospital's mission and strategic plan.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, local, and accrediting body regulations and standards (DNV, CMS, CDPH), maintaining survey readiness at all times.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives, including the facility’s QAPI program, by setting unit-specific goals, monitoring quality metrics, and reporting progress to senior leadership and quality councils.
• Conduct thorough investigations of adverse events and patient grievances, analyzing data to discern trends and identify opportunities for clinical advancement and risk mitigation.
• Foster a culture of safety and continuous learning by promoting evidence-based practice and providing ongoing education and professional development for nursing staff.
• Collaborate with the Hospital Administrator to identify resource requirements, develop the nursing department's budget, and establish overall standards of nursing productivity.
• Oversee staffing plans and patient classification systems daily to ensure the appropriate number and skill level of nursing personnel are available to meet the immediate and complex needs of the patient population.
• Manage cost controls effectively to ensure the maximum effectiveness of funds expended, responding to budget variances with justifications and corrective measures as needed.
• Provide guidance, counsel, and mentorship to nursing leadership, managers, and staff to promote a professional environment that supports accountability, autonomy, and high morale.
• Assist in recruitment and retention efforts by planning and implementing creative initiatives to attract and retain key nursing talent.
• Oversee the orientation, competency assessment, and evaluation of all nursing personnel, ensuring they meet the qualifications and experience required for their roles.
• Work closely with managers from other disciplines (Case Management, Respiratory Therapy, Rehabilitation) to coordinate patient care and streamline processes to enhance patient satisfaction and outcomes.
• Facilitate and participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to develop and implement patient-specific care plans and discharge plans.
• Serve as a visible advocate for the hospital in the community and collaborate with area nursing programs, other healthcare institutions, and medical staff to plan and implement clinical services and programs.
• Be well versed in all aspects of the nursing floor operations, being able to step into any role if needed.
What We Do
Sonoma Specialty Hospital serves as Sonoma County's only Long-Term Acute Care Hospital, dedicated to treating medically complex patients who require extended acute care stays due to severe illness or catastrophic injury. Their specialized care focuses on critical challenges, including ventilator weaning, healing severe wounds, and providing comprehensive rehabilitation to help patients recover and successfully transition back to their daily lives.
