Director of Nursing

Responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the overall operations of Nursing/Patient Care Areas. Ensures compliance with patient care quality standards as relates to the care provided to all age groups of patients ranging from infant to geriatric. Maintains performance improvement activities within the department and participates in CQI activities. Assures competency of nursing personnel. Assists in formulating the budget and maintains efficient and effective departmental operations while in required compliance with all state, federal and local regulations, laws standards and protocols.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Current license to practice Registered Professional Nursing in West Virginia, or applicable state licensure where services will be perfomed.

2. Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. 

EXPERIENCE:

1. Five (5) years nursing experience with at least two years in a management or administrative position.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Master’s degree in related field, Masters of Science in Nursing.

2. Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Certifications preferred.

3. Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) and Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

1. Critical Care Nursing experience preferred.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Knows and practices the philosophy, purpose, policies and procedures of Nursing/Patient Care Areas.

2. Organizes, directs and administers Nursing/Patient Care Areas in order to provide the level of care required by current medical and nursing standards.

3. Serves as a resource to staff for solving clinical problems.

4. Plans and coordinates with the CEO and Director of Finance regarding budget requirements for personnel, supplies and equipment.

5. Responsible for cost controls to insure maximum effectiveness of funds expended from the approved departmental budges.

6. Discusses potential swing bed admits with other departments when needed. (i.e. pharmacy, PT/OT)

7. Anticipates actual/potential problems that may occur and sets priorities accordingly.

8. Supports and develops Nursing/Patient Care Areas by the coordination of the employee selection process, work assignments and staff development.

9. Maintains continuing quality assessment and improvement analysis and evaluation of patient care and communicates with the appropriate staff.

10. Responds to emergency situations if needed. (RRT, Code Blue, Trauma).

11. Reviews documentation of incidents and communicates with appropriate staff as needed regarding incidents.

12. Serves as consultant for patient care planning.

13. Plans for nursing practice activities consistent with sound utilization of personnel.

14. Recommends, supports and participates in education and training programs.

15. Insures that cordial relationships are maintained with patients, their families and friends, clergy, volunteers, agencies and the community.

16. Supervises and assists nursing personnel in giving care to individual patients when indicated.

17. Acts as a clinical and administrative resource person to staff and house supervisors.

18. Interprets and clarifies physicians’ orders as needed.

19. Delegates authority and tasks commensurate with the employee’s job description and ability.

20. Performs employee evaluations and counsels individuals regarding necessary improvement.

21. Maintains open communication with physicians. Relays information in a timely manner.

22. Maintains an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.

23. Ensures compliance with policies and procedures regarding departmental operations, fire, safety and infection control.

24. Effectively shows the ability to communicate with patients, staff and physicians in a professional manner.

25. Participates in Administrative Staff Committee, Board of Directors and Medical Staff meetings.

26. Participates in Administrator on Call rotation with the CEO and senior administrative leaders.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends minimizing the need for employees to manually lift patients, and limit safe patient handling to 35 pounds. All transfers, lifts and re-positioning will be completed utilizing the lift equipment and/or other patient handling aids as indicated by the patient’s profile and appropriate algorithms.

2. Heavy/Hard work : Work requires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, standing, walking, and carrying of materials and equipment weighing 40+lbs.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Working closely with others.

2. Working protracted or irregular hours.

3. Working around biohazards.

4. Working around infectious diseases.

5. Working with or near the deceased.

6. Working with hands in water.

7. Working with electrical hazards associated with patient care equipment.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

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