Director of Nursing

Do you see you see yourself wanting to empower patients to be partners in the care they receive?Do you find yourself wanting to see patients receive their greatest degree of independence? Are you committed to providing a safe haven for healing for patients and families? Do you strive in an environment where teamwork makes the dream work? If you answered yes to these questions, then Aria Healthcare is the place for youFUNCTION: Responsible for effective overall management of the Nursing Department and coordination with other disciplines to provide quality care to all residents.QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.Minimum Qualifications: Knowledge of general nursing theory and practice that includes a basic knowledge in Geriatric Nursing. Familiarity with State and Federal Regulations. Education and/or Experience: Must be a graduate of an accredited School of Nursing. BSN degree highly desired. Three years experience in Geriatric Nursing, including management responsibilities. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Must possess a current, unencumbered license to practice as a RN in the State. Must possess current CPR Certificate. Additional certification in nursing specialty of Geriatrics is desirable. LANGUAGE SKILLS: Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with other personnel, professional and business persons, residents and families, and the general public.MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent. REASONING ABILITY: Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when necessary. Must possess the ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables. Must possess the ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Plans, coordinates and manages the nursing Department. Responsible for the overall direction, coordination and evaluation of nursing care and services provided to the residents. Supports and practices the philosophy, objectives and standards of the Department of Nursing and participates in the revision of these as necessary to ensure quality care to all residents. Participates in the development of policies and procedures that support Nursing Department objectives. Ensures that the philosophy, objectives and standards of the Nursing Department are an integral part of the orientation and education of the Nursing Services Personnel. Incorporates nursing philosophy, standards and objectives into the evaluation process for staff and nursing services. Communicates changes in the nurse Practice Act to nursing personnel Communicates violation of the Nurse Practice Act to the State Board of Nurse Examiners. Coordinates interdisciplinary resident care management efforts. Provides direction as to format and approach to resident care management. Ensures implementation of resident care planning format to comply with resident needs and various regulatory agency requirements. Coordinates requirements and cooperates with all other departments in providing a favorable physical, social and emotional environment for all residents. Serves on Quality Improvement Committees that include Resident Care Management, Standards of Care, Pharmaceutical Services, Infection Control, Safety and Utilization Review. Meets with committee members to evaluate activities within the facility and to identify opportunities for continuous improvement in operations. Follows up on committee recommendations that affect the nursing department. Ensures effective and efficient organization and staffing of the nursing department. Ensures that the nursing department is properly organized and adheres to accepted organization and management principles. Supervises Nursing Unit Supervisors and other Nursing Supervisory personnel and effectively delegates authority to them for the management of the nursing units. Develops short and long-range plans for the nursing department that are compatible with those of the facility Recruits and selects nursing service employees appropriate to facility need and budgetary guidelines. Provides orientation and education programs for nursing service personnel and ensures that all personnel can demonstrate the abilities required to function appropriately in their positions. Works in establishing and facilitating effective employer/employee relations. Routinely schedules and conducts meetings with Charge Nurse and other Nursing Supervisory personnel to communicate and operationalize objectives, standards, policies and procedures. Identifies responsibilities for nursing function 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the absence of the Director of Nursing or Assistant Director of Nursing. Develops a work schedule that ensures the presence of the Director of Nursing on periodic weekends or evenings, nights and holidays. Maintains adequate staffing ratios and levels of preparation to meet the needs of residents. Meets with Charge Nurses and Nursing Supervisory personnel on a regular basis to review, evaluate and document their performance. Coordinates nursing activities with consultants and other department heads as necessary or appropriate. Formulates and administers a departmental budget based on nursing department goals and corporate parameters. Participates in establishing a competitive wage, salary and benefit plan for nursing personnel. Operates the nursing department in a cost effective manner. Meets with all levels of nursing personnel routinely to communicate information and foster routine interpersonal relationships. Ensures that nursing interventions meet the personal, physical and cognitive needs of each resident as well as maximize his/her self care capacities, identity, independence, choice and opportunity for social interaction. Participates in the selection of residents to be admitted by evaluating the level and amount of care required by prospective residents in relation to existing nursing capabilities. Ensures that each nursing department employee's orientation/education includes meeting the personal, cognitive and physical needs of residents. Ensures that nursing personnel assist in evaluating each resident's capability for participation in facility activity programs, in accordance with resident's interests and needs. Commits nursing manpower to support individual and group activities including out of facility functions. Monitors the outcomes of nursing services activity by evaluating the performance of nursing staff, ensuring compliance with all facility and regulatory agency standards, policies and procedures, coordinating facility committees and monitoring the effective and efficient use of budgeted resources (personnel, supplies, equipment). Visits nursing units on a daily basis and observes the care the residents are receiving to ensure compliance with accepted facility nursing standards. Ensures compliance with all federal, state and local standards and regulations by conducting periodic self-surveys by outside agencies, and correcting areas of non-compliance. Periodically visits all nursing shifts to monitor performance of nursing staff and to ensure that quality care is being provided to residents. Observes the performance of nursing personnel on the nursing units and audits nursing practices to ensure adherence with established objectives, standards, policies and procedures. Discusses and implements plan of action to correct deficient areas identified on quality reviews. Establishes and monitors procedures to ensure all nursing budgets (staff, supplies/expenses, chargeable and non-chargeable) are within approved parameters or that variances are duly accounted for. Ensures a safe and sanitary environment for residents, employees and visitors. Participates in ensuring a safe environment for residents, staff and family. Investigates all nursing department employee accidents in accordance with procedures outlined in the facility's safety standards. Monitors and reviews resident incidents to identify possible legal issues and to identify patterns that might require preventive intervention. Implements infection control policies and procedures as outlined in company program. Ensures that all nursing staff is educated and utilizes infection control practices that protect staff, residents and families. Monitors the employee health program to ensure that employees are physically able to work, that on-the-job injuries are documented, investigated and treated, and that required tuberculosis monitoring is accomplished, documented and filed. Maintains cohesive public and professional relationships with residents, families, physicians and the community. Projects a positive image of the facility by displaying a high degree of professionalism, demonstrating concern and courtesy in interactions with residents, families, medical staff, employees, volunteers and outside agencies affiliated with the facility. Represents the facility and nursing service in professional and community activities. Controls the release of information on residents in a manner that protects their privacy and is in accordance with established regulatory guidelines. Maintains open, effective and ongoing communication with the facility's medical staff and medical community. Handles inquiries from prospective residents according to facility policy. Seeks to ensure the resolution of complaints regarding the Nursing department or the facility from residents, families, or other responsible parties, medical staff volunteers and outside agencies affiliated with the facility. Assumes full responsibility for the operation and management of the facility in the temporary absence of the Facility Administrator or as directed by the Administrator. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Demonstrates to ability to listen actively and is dependable, tactful, and courteous. Demonstrates the ability to function independently, have personal integrity, flexibility, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel and support agencies. Demonstrates the ability to evaluate in an objective, consistent, and fair manner. Demonstrates utilization of effective problem solving methods when dealing with coworkers, staff, residents, and families. CONTINUING EDUCATION: Attends continuing education programs required for maintenance of professional certifications and licensure. Attends In-service and education programs required for professional and personal growth. 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. Frequently required to stand, walk, use hands or fingers, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear. Occasionally required to sit, climb or balance and stoop or kneel. Occasionally required to lift, push, pull, and move a minimum of 50 pounds. Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable the senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met (i.e., accurately read measurements on resident related equipment such as thermometers, monitors, gauges). Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.