DIRECTOR OF NURSING

Reports To:  Chief Nursing Officer

Employee Type:              EXEMPT               X    NON-EXEMPT

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Nursing (DON) manages and provides leadership for the nursing services of the assigned Skilled Nursing Facility to ensure compliance with all applicable legal, regulatory, organizational, and medical staff standards while promoting the delivery of safe, high-quality resident care. The DON is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, assessing, implementing, and evaluating nursing services to support clinical excellence, resident outcomes, staff development, and operational effectiveness. The DON works collaboratively with the Director of Nursing at the organization's other Skilled Nursing Facility to ensure standardized clinical practices, consistent implementation of policies and procedures, regulatory readiness, quality improvement initiatives, and continuity of nursing leadership across both campuses. While each DON maintains primary operational responsibility for their assigned facility, both leaders function as a unified nursing leadership team and provide operational support and leadership coverage for one another during planned and unplanned absences to ensure uninterrupted nursing oversight and continuity of operations across the organization.

This job description is intended to identify some of the primary duties and responsibilities.  Mayers Memorial Hospital District reserves the right to modify, supplement, delete or augment the duties and responsibilities specified in this position description, at MAYERS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL DISTRICT’S sole and absolute discretion.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Graduate of an accredited school of nursing with a current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of California.
2. Minimum of three (3) years of progressive nursing leadership experience, preferably in a skilled nursing or long-term care setting.
3. Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state regulations governing skilled nursing facilities, including CMS and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) requirements.
4. Broad knowledge of nursing principles, clinical practice, quality improvement, infection prevention, risk management, and regulatory compliance.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

General Competencies:

1. Professional behavior is demonstrated, both when on duty and as a representative of MMHD outside of normal work hours.
2. Ability to work with others, at all levels within the organization, and collaborate effectively.
3. Demonstrates the ability to build collaborative partnerships across departments and campuses, fostering standardized nursing practices, shared accountability, and effective communication to support organizational goals.
4. Above-average interpersonal, problem-solving, and written and oral communication skills.
5. A positive working relationship with patients, visitors, and facility staff is demonstrated.
6. Organizational ability and time management is demonstrated.
7. Produces deliverable products on time, within budget with minimal direction.
8. Demonstrates the ability to compile and organize data using Microsoft Office Applications.  Ability to make appropriate recommendations or conclusions, given the data obtained.
9. Maintains an organized set of records, upon request, for the functions that are performed within the scope of this job.
10. Communicates appropriately and clearly to directors, managers, and coworkers.
11. Performs all assigned tasks accurately, to include proper spelling and grammar, reference materials, and minimal mathematical calculation.
12. Takes direction from others to include those employees of other departments with which he/she works on a temporary basis in accordance with the chain of command.
13. Maintains all information as confidential as appropriate, to include payroll, personnel information, and other information obtained during the course of performing job duties that is confidential.
14. Demonstrates ability to effectively use office machines in the performance of job functions.
15. Answers phone calls, assists public, and forwards appropriately if necessary and in a professional and friendly manner.
16. Other duties as assigned.

Specific Competencies:

1. Participates in planning, decision making and policy formulation as a member of the administrative team.  Keeps the CNO informed of Nursing Service activities.
2. Collaborates with the Director of Nursing at the organization's other Skilled Nursing Facility to ensure standardized clinical practices, consistent implementation of organizational policies and procedures, regulatory compliance, and quality improvement initiatives across both campuses.
3. Provides leadership support and operational coverage for the sister Skilled Nursing Facility during planned and unplanned absences, including paid time off and leaves of absence, while maintaining primary accountability for the assigned facility.
4. Participate in joint strategic planning, leadership meetings, survey readiness activities, and performance improvement initiatives to promote consistency and organizational excellence throughout the Skilled Nursing Division.
5. Collaborates with the medical Staff regarding clinical aspects of patient/ resident care.  Represents Nursing Service on various Medical Staff committees.
6. Provides guidance and counsel to supervisory staff as well as to other nursing staff.  Provides adequate communication mechanisms within the service and conducts regular conferences with supervisors and nursing personnel.
7. Assures that the continuous Quality Improvement process is accomplished on an ongoing basis.
8. Is knowledgeable regarding State and Federal regulations and develops policies, procedures and protocols accordingly.  Coordinates information for regulatory agency reviews and participates in all facility surveys including plans of correction.
9. Develops short and long term goals and objectives in consultation with administration and consistent with the facilities philosophy.  Participates in facility projects and public relations programs.
10. Investigates irregularities and policy violations and takes corrective action as needed.  Is knowledgeable regarding the disciplinary action process and follows the facility policy and procedure.  Documents all actions taken and reports to administration as needed.
11. Reviews and monitors work schedules, work hours, and duty assignments of Nursing Service personnel and effects change as needed.  Analyzes and evaluates nursing and related services to assure quality patient/ resident care and appropriate levels of productivity.  Keeps informed regarding patient/ resident census and acuity.  Makes nursing service rounds on a regular basis.
12. Reviews Risk Event Reports and Concerns/Complaints.  Directs appropriate action as needed.  Reports pertinent information to CNO.
13. Consults with pharmacy and medical staff concerning control and administration of medications.  Ensures that Nursing Service personnel are knowledgeable on drug details.
14. Promotes and encourages professional growth and development of all Nursing Service personnel through attendance at workshops, seminars, and conferences.
15. Investigates new nursing techniques and practices for application as appropriate.
16. Ensures proper and economical use of equipment, supplies and facilities for maintaining patient care.  Investigates new equipment, supplies and products and recommends purchases within budgetary process.
17. Help plan, develop, implement and manage the annual budget for Nursing Services.  Reviews financial reports monthly
18. Actively participates in facility meetings and serves as a consultant to other departments as requested.

Professional Requirements:

1. Adheres to dress code; appearance is neat and professional.
2. Completes annual education requirements if applicable.
3. Maintains regulatory requirements.
4. Wears identification while on duty.
5. Attends annual evaluation and participates actively in this process.
6. Reports to work on time and as scheduled; completes work in designated time.
7. Attend all meetings as appropriate.
8. Exhibits the mission, ethics and goals of Mayers Memorial Hospital District in the performance of job duties.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. Willingness to work beyond normal working hours and in other positions temporarily when necessary.
2. Is involved with personnel, visitors and government agencies, etc., when necessary.
3. Must function independently, have personal integrity, have flexibility and the ability to work effectively with other personnel, clients and support agencies.
4. Must be willing and able to provide on-site leadership coverage at either Skilled Nursing Facility campus as operational needs dictates, including during the absence of the Director of Nursing at the sister facility.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Sits, stands, bends, lifts, walks and moves intermittently during working hours.
2. Able to lift 20 lbs.