Director of Nursing

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The Director of Nursing (DON) is a person designated, in writing, by the governing body to supervise all aspects of patient care, all activities of professional staff and allied health personnel, and responsible for compliance with regulatory requirements. The DON, or alternate, shall be immediately available to be on site, or on site, at all times during operating hours, and additionally as needed. If the DON is unavailable he/she shall designate a registered nurse to be responsible during his/her absence.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provides strategic oversight of major functions and activities of clinical operations of the hospice and ensures management accountability within areas of responsibility
2. In coordination with Medical, Administrative and other Clinical leadership, designs and executes plans of action and improvements in clinical operations, work environment, organizational culture/structure, and physician relations that will successfully lead to significant and enduring improvement in the delivery of patient care and financial performance of the hospice
3. Promotes a positive, respectful and effective work environment and receives and addresses opportunities to improve employee satisfaction when possible
4. Accountable for department budgets and ensures operations remain within approved budget limits.
5. Liaise with all levels of the organization and the community to promote the quality of care including receiving feedback from customers (internally/externally) & effectively obtaining a satisfactory customer outcome
6. Responsible for overseeing compliance with discipline specific standards and competencies to ensure survey readiness of the program including standards relating to employee health and safety, patient safety, regulatory requirements, process improvement, and risk occurrences
7. Participates in developing and evaluating outcome measurements within the Performance Improvement framework set by the corporate office to ensure delivery of safe and quality patient care
8. Facilitates communications and problem solving across the organization to ensure optimal patient safety and the delivery of quality care.
9. Oversees the productivity and staffing of all departments in area of oversight, provides regular reports, identifies trends and recommends opportunities for improvement in all areas of oversight to the President & CEO
10. Promotes and supports education and competence in clinical services that include documentation standards, clinical care, regulatory requirements, and policies and procedures
11. Performs other responsibilities as assigned by the President & CEO
12. Assumes administrative responsibility for the hospice in the absence of the President and CEO, and COO.

Responsibilities of All Staff:

1. Represents designated program professionally at all times through care delivered and/or services provided to all patients/families and customers (external/internal)
2. Complies with all state, federal and local government regulations, maintaining a strong position against fraud and abuse
3. Complies with corporate company policies, procedures and standard practices
4. Observes Corporate health, safety and security practices
5. Maintains confidentiality of patients, families, colleagues and other sensitive situations within designated program
6. Assures the patient care delivery model, clinical and staffing standards are consistent with corporate standards and with the mission, vision, and values of the organization
7. Provides strategic leadership by focusing teams on visions and distinctive strategies that result in excellent short and long-term performance in clinical, service and financial outcomes
8. Participates in the development and implementation of new concepts that fit and support the vision and strategic objectives of the corporation
9. Promotes designated program through participation in community and professional organizations
10. Participates proactively in improving performance in designated program at the departmental and individual levels
11. Improves own professional knowledge and skill level
12. Advances electronic media skills
13. Supports designated program research and educational activities
14. Shares expertise with co-workers both formally and informally
15. Participates in or leads Quality Assessment Performance Improvement activities

Leadership Success Factors

1. Communication: Expresses thoughts and ideas clearly.  Adapts communication style to fit audience.
2. Initiative: Originates action to achieve goals.
3. Management Identification: Identifies with and accepts the problems and responsibilities of management.
4. Judgment: Makes realistic decisions based on logical assumptions which reflect factual information and consideration of organizational resources.
5. Planning, Organizing, and Controlling: Establishes course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a specific goal; plans proper assignments of personnel and appropriate allocation of resources; and, monitors actual results versus approved plans.
6. Leadership: Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and methods in guiding others toward task accomplishment.
7. Work Standards: Sets high goals and standards of performance for self and others.  Compels others to perform.
8. Tolerance for Stress: Maintains stability of performance under pressure and/or opposition.
9. Innovativeness.  Generates and/or recognizes imaginative, creative solutions in work-related situations.
10. Delegation: Allocates decision-making and other authorities effectively and appropriately.
11. Staff Development: Develops the skills and competencies of subordinates.
12. Organizational Sensitivity: Perceives the impact and implications of decisions on other components of the organization.
13. Ethics: Observes and complies with the highest standards of conduct and ethical behavior, adopting a strong position against fraud and abuse.
14. Regulatory Compliance: Educates and monitors staff regarding their own and the organization's responsibilities for regulatory compliance.

The above statements are intended to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks or special projects, other than those stated in this description, by supervisors/Leadership Team. 

1. Certification/Licensure/Registration: Registered Nurse with Louisiana Board of Nursing. BLS CPR certification.
2. Education: Bachelor’s degree in Nursing.
3. Experience: Three (3) years’ experience as a registered nurse. One of these years shall consist of full-time experience in providing direct patient care in a hospice, home health, or oncology setting.  
4. Possesses current Louisiana Driver's License, Automobile Liability Coverage and CPR cert.  
5. Extensive experience in leading large teams, as well as Direct Leadership oversight of multidisciplinary teams.
6. Excellent customer service focus
7. Two years hospice or home health leadership experience preferred but not required
8. Expertise in regulation interpretation and process
9. Excellent written and oral communication and conflict resolution skills
10. Able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
11. Able to develop, plan, and implement programs
12. Experience in budget development and fiscal accountability.
13. Ability to exercise complex analytical judgment in the work environment
14. Functions independently relative to decision making, planning, analysis, and problem resolution with input from appropriate leaders