Director of Nursing

Statement of Purpose

Under the direction of the Administrator and Medical Director, the Director of Nursing (DON) manages the daily operations of the Medical Unit(s).  Assist in developing department goals, objectives, and standards of performance, policies, and procedures. Organizes the department in accordance with administrative guidelines in order to provide specified nursing services to administration in evaluating proposed changes as they relate to patient care; directs the implementation and ensures compliance with Standards of Nursing Practice that promotes optimum health care delivery.

Major Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities

•    Plans, supervises, and directs nursing services.
•    Maintains the BHS Quality Improvement program.
•    Routinely observes nursing care to assess particular patient requirements and/or to assess individual staff knowledge and performance.
•    Consistently assess the quality of care rendered by nursing staff.
•    Initiates the development and implementation of policies and procedures that govern the Nursing Services Department in collaboration with appropriate services.
•    Establishes and maintains an organizational plan consistent with the overall hospital organization.
•    Develops and maintains nursing reports as required, e.g. monthly report, status reports, etc.
•    Establishes and maintains staffing requirements for the recruitment, selection, and placement of qualified personnel.
•    Responsible for completing individual performance evaluations of assigned personnel in accordance with established Personnel Policies & Procedures.
•    Responsible for the hiring and termination process, interviewing applicants and documents it according to policy and procedures.
•    Maintains good interdepartmental relationships by working with other supervisors, department heads and managers to define and work toward common departmental goals.
•    Maintains open lines of communication with other departments for the purpose of coordination for information and more effective patient care.
•    Reviews and assists in preparation of annual budget.
•    Participates in CDRH long-range planning process. 
•    Collaborates with the Medical Director regarding clinical aspects of patient care.

•    Participates on hospital committees and serves as a consultant to other departments as requested.
•    Participates in hospital planning, decision-making, and policy formulation as a member of the hospital Executive Committee/Council.
•    Represents nursing staff on various BHS committees as directed by policy.
•    Participates in and develops corrective plan of action for regulatory reviews.
•    Provides adequate communication mechanisms within the Nursing Services Department and conducts regular conferences with nurse managers and supervisory personnel.
•    Consults with pharmacists, Pharmacy Committee, and medical staff concerning control and administration of medications and ensures that Nursing Services personnel are made knowledgeable and kept current on drug details.
•    Keeps administrator informed of nursing department(s) activities, needs, and problems.
•    Responsible for reviewing and monitoring work schedules, work hours, and duty assignments for nursing personnel.  Promotes and develops professional growth and development of nursing staff through training’s, workshops, seminars, and conferences and may arrange for key personnel to do so.
•    Reviews incident reports and informs administrator of outcome(s) and appropriate action(s) taken. 
•    Reviews patient census and acuity reports to determine staffing needs and makes nursing unit rounds on a regular basis.
•    Ensures proper and economical use of equipment and supplies.
•    Ensures that all nursing staff receives appropriate orientation to emergency equipment and medications.
•    Demonstrates understanding of emergency procedures, fire drills, evacuation procedures, and internal/external disaster plans and procedures.
•    Develops quality assurance standards for nursing, lab services, infection control, outside referrals, and pharmacy.
•    Promptly and fully investigates and resolves complaints of patients, visitors, and physicians through our own action or referral to Administrator.
•    Develops and maintains contacts in the community that enhance the relationships of the CDRH. 
•    Ensures nursing staff complies with all health and safety requirements.
•    Investigates irregularities and policy violations and takes corrective action.
•    Demonstrates ethical and professional behavior.
•    Provides consistent, clear leadership reflecting the philosophy, goals and policies of the facility to all staff.
•    Conveys respect for cultural and lifestyle diversities of clients and staff. 
•    Provides leadership and serves as a positive role model for all staff.
•    Understanding of computer operations including, Windows, word processing (MS Word) and the Caminar information system.
•    Performs other related work as required.

Director of Nursing Competencies and Performance Expectations

•    Effectively plan ways to promote growth and development of staff.
•    Demonstrate good organizational skills.
•    Demonstrate good leadership and interpersonal skills.
•    Demonstrates a thorough knowledge and clinical expertise to ensure quality of care.
•    Supervise and manage staff
•    Serve as a role model to staff by continuous self-development
•    Adhere to professional standards
•    Maintain health and safety standards of facility
 

Prerequisite Qualifications 

Following are the qualifications required to perform the essential functions of this position.  Qualifications may be subject to modification based on the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Graduate from an accredited school of nursing. Maintains a current California RN License, and CPR Card. Experience in Chemical Dependency required. Must have 1 to 3 years managerial experience.  If recovering person, minimum 2 years clean and sober required. Must be able to manage multiple tasks and have the ability to work independently.

Vision, hearing, manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination must be adequate for performance of job duties. Able to stand, stoop, bend, squat and reach for the purpose of handling materials stocked on shelves. Routinely move and lift items weighing up to 25 to 30 pounds; is expected to ask for assistance for heavier items. Vision and manual dexterity must be adequate for performance of other duties. Able to sit at desk, use keyboard, write and physically perform other job duties.  Able to move about the facility to observe clients and staff.

Specific qualifications may vary based on assignment. The supervisor will initial those items on the following list, which apply and write N/A to indicate those qualifications, which are not applicable:

_____    Class “B” California Driver’s License.
_____     Class “C” California Driver’s License
_____    Personal vehicle with liability insurance for reimbursable mileage, generally short distances.
_____ CPR certification, obtain within 90 days of employment and maintain current 
thereafter. 
_____ Bi-lingual (specify: ___________________)
_____ Develop computer skills adequate to perform Caminar/word processing duties within 90 days of employment.

The above statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements which may be inherent in the position.