Director Of Nursing

NOTE: This position is currently filled. However, it is the policy of Freedom Behavioral to continue to take applications so that we can ensure there is no disruption in patient care if a vacancy occurs.

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Director of Nurse is responsible for upholding the standards of care established by regulatory and accrediting bodies. The Director of Nursing provides oversight and direction to all direct care nursing staff. The DON ensures that the unit is staffed safely and according to protocol; providing assistance as needed to the nursing staff with regard to decision making, clinical judgement issues, medical staff communication, as well as providing direct patient care when indicated. Assumes nursing administrator on call duties when indicated. Provides direct oversight to the nursing staff. Participates in the QAPI process with monitoring, tracking and analyzing nursing data. Ensures the development of the nursing schedule in a timely manner. Coordinates the performance of nursing care to patients within the scope of practice and in compliance with policies, procedures, 
and standards. Collaborates with Human Resources on hiring and termination of employees in the nursing department. Completes performance evaluations for nursing staff as scheduled. Actively works with Intake and the Service Development Department to facilitate admissions into the facility in a timely manner. Maintains knowledge of admission criteria and accurately documents admission criteria for new admissions. Functions as a member of the Utilization and Treatment Team to participate in the communication of identified patient goals, interventions, and assessment. The DON acts as a resource for all administrative, nursing, and direct care staff in formulation of policies, procedures, forms, and process that directly affect the nursing department and patient care. The DON is charged with ensuring survey readiness through regulatory compliance and quality standards of care. The DON collaborates on facilities’ projects and program development to oversee the safe accurate, development, and implementation of patient care. Participates as a member of the leadership team within the facility. 

WORKING CONDITONS: 
Work environment characteristics are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally be exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment may be moderate to high. The work environment may include chemicals used for cleaning, and have dust, mist, and stream generated in housekeeping tasks. This is a smoke-free workplace. Work requires spending approximately 75% or more of the time inside a building that offers protection from weather 
conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes. 

The employee must provide documentation of a tuberculosis test during new-hire orientation and annually thereafter. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to stand on feet for moderate periods of time, standing couls be 
as high as 60-80% per working shift per day. Must be able to sit for extended periods of time, at least 4 hours. A 
certain amount of walking and standing are often necessary to carry out job duties. Lifting/carrying may exceed 10 
pounds. 
Additional work environment characteristics may include: performing repetitive tasks/motion, and hearing alarms, 
telephone, and normal speaking voice. Stress is identified as a job hazard resulting from a hectic environment with 
frequent interruptions. The environment alone presents a certain amount of risk servicing psychiatric patients in 
acute and crisis needs 

The position also requires: 
Reaching: Extending the hands and arms in any direction. 
Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with the hand or hands. 
Fingering: Picking, pinching, and otherwise working with the fingers primarily. 
Feeling: Perceiving such attributes of objects and materials as size, shape, temperature or texture by means 
of receptors in the skin, particularly those of the fingertips.
Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. 
Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds by the ear. 
Seeing: Obtaining impressions through the eyes of the shape, size, distance, motion, or other 
characteristics of objects. The major visual functions are: (a) acuity – far and near; (b) depth 
perception; (c) field of vision; (d) accommodation; (e) color vision. 

Exposure Category: Category II (tasks involve potential for exposure to blood, bodily fluids, or tissues.) 
PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: 
Education: Associate Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing minimum, with MSN oversight. 
License: RN License through the state board of nursing
Experience: One-year management or related experience in nursing 

Additional Requirement
 Effective verbal communication skills 
 Effective organizational skills 
 Effective interpersonal skills 
 Analytical problem solving skills 
 Ability to read and comprehend written instructions; ability to follow verbal instructions 
 Proficient knowledge of PC computers 
 Basic understanding of DSM V diagnostic criteria 
 Basic understanding of medical and psychiatric diagnoses and conditions 

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND/OR REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED: 
 Photo ID 
 Social Security Card/Driver’s License 
 Primary Source Verification of education 
 Copy of clinical license 
 CPR 
 Behavioral Management Training