Director of Nursing (Full Time)

Summary/Objective:
The Director of Nursing is responsible for the management of Nursing Services departments and responsible for the clinical practice of nursing and other departments.  As a member of the leadership team, the Director of Nursing supports and facilitates the provision of safe, effective, and excellent patient care and the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies, programs, and services with the hospital’s mission, goals, and objectives.  Collaborates with other departments, medical professionals, consultants, and organizations, to develop, support, and coordinate patient care within the medical-surgical department and emergency department. 

Essential Functions:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.

Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct the Nursing Services Departments, as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that conform to current standards of nursing practice and operational policies while maintaining compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.

Develop, maintain, and periodically update written policies and procedures for the day-to-day functions of the nursing services department.

Communicates and interprets policies and procedures to nursing staff, and monitors staff practices and implementation.

Selects and assigns staff, ensuring equal employment opportunity in hiring and promotion.

Coordinates activities by scheduling work assignments, setting priorities, and directing the work of subordinate employees.

Evaluates and verifies employee performance through the review of completed work assignments and work techniques.

Evaluates the work performance of all nursing personnel and implements discipline according to policies and procedures.

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

Proactively develops positive employee relations; promotes teamwork, mutual respect, and effective communications.

Maintains records, prepares reports, and composes correspondence relative to work.

Develops, implements, and evaluates nursing programs, nursing care plans, and objectives for the work area.

Supervises and participates in the provision of general nursing care services.

Supervises admissions, helps to conduct assessment of patient’s needs, and helps initiates nursing care plans as needed.

Serves as liaison between staff and other areas within the facility, and as an advisor to other disciplines.

Assesses needs for personnel, supplies, equipment, and physical facilities for budget planning.

Participates in budget development for the nursing department.  Assures nursing staff properly charges out ancillaries used.

Helps prepare staff for inspection surveys, instructing staff on matters of conduct and disclosure, being interviewed by inspectors, immediate corrections of problems noted by surveyors.  Reviews and reinforces important standards previously cited.

Participates in the preparation of the Plan or Correction response to an inspection survey, and implements any follow-up QA required for any nursing allegations.

Communicates directly with patients, families, medical staff, nursing staff, interdisciplinary team members, and department heads to coordinate care and services.  Promotes participation in care plans and maintains a high quality of care for patients.

Promotes customer service and hospitality and responds to and adequately resolves complaints or concerns from patients or families about nursing services.

Promotes compliance with accident prevention procedures, safety rules, and safe work practices to prevent employee injury and illness and control workers’ compensation costs.

Ensures staff is trained in fire, disaster, other emergency procedures, and evaluates performance during drills.

Participates in clinical conferences, workshops, seminars, and related forums.

Performs, on occasion, any task assigned to subordinate staff, consistent with licensing or certification requirements.

Works nursing services shifts as needed to ensure department coverage.

Consults and coordinates with health care team members to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care plans.

Prepares and administers (orally, subcutaneously, through an IV) and records prescribed medications.  Reports adverse reactions to medications or treatments in accordance with the policy regarding the administration of medications by a licensed registered nurse.

Records patients’ medical information and vital signs.

Monitors and adjusts specialized equipment used on patients. Interprets and records electronic displays.

Initiates corrective action whenever the patient displays adverse symptomatology.

Provides beside care for a wide variety of medical patients, include pre- and post-surgery patients.

Initiates patient education plan, as prescribed by physician.  Teaches patients and significant others how to manage their illness/injury by explaining post-treatment home care needs.

Changes dressings, inserts catheters, starts IVs.

Prepares equipment and aids physician during examination and treatment of patient.

Responds to life-saving situations based upon nursing standards and protocols

Participates in discharge planning.

Utilizes time management skills.

Records all care information concisely, accurately and completely, in a timely manner, and in the appropriate format, and on the appropriate forms.

Participates in wide variety of special projects and compile a variety of special reports.

Oversees additional nursing departments to include: Medical Surgical, Emergency, Operating Room, Case Management/Swingbed, Respiratory/Infection Control/Employee Health. 

Competencies:
1.    Financial Management.
2.    Business Acumen.
3.    Communication proficiency.
4.    Ethical Conduct.
5.    Leadership.
6.    Performance Management.
7.    Personal Effectiveness/Credibility
8.    Problem Solving/Analysis.
9.    Strategic Thinking.
10.    Technical Capacity.

Supervisory Responsibility:
This position is responsible for the direct supervision of the Director, Emergency Services; Clinical Coordinator; Director, Respiratory Services/Infection Control; Director, Surgical Services; Pharmacy Services; all RNs, LPNs, and CNAs on Medical-Surgical floor.  This position has indirect supervision of all employees in the following departments:  Emergency Room, Operating Room, and Respiratory Therapy.

This position’s responsibilities include: interviewing, hiring, and training employees, planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. 

Work Environment:
This position operates in a health care setting.  This role requires regular walking to various locations around the hospital.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles and some mechanical equipment.  The employee is exposed to a variety of patient conditions and elements.  The noise level is moderate to quiet.  This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and listen.

This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing all day.  The employee must frequently lift or move objects and patients weighing over 50 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
This is a full time, exempt position.  Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday; hours are flexible based on the job duties demand.  Evening and weekend work may be required based on the needs of the position/job duties. 

This position requires administrative “on call” responsibilities to be rotated within nursing management team.

Travel:
This position may require some travel. Travel may be outside the local area and overnight. 

Required Education and Experience:

Graduate of an accredited school of professional nursing in the state of Georgia; valid license as Registered Nurse in the state of Georgia

Current, valid AHA Healthcare Provider training (BCLS and ACLS).

At least five years management experience preferred.

At least three years supervisory experience preferred.

Preferred Education and Experience:
Advance nursing degree; Bachelor’s or Masters prepared preferred.

Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee of the job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.