Director of Nursing (DON)

• Do you enjoy using your expertise to solve problems?

• Do you get satisfaction out of sharing your knowledge and experience with others?

• Do you see yourself as someone who can influence a team and thereby make a difference in your clients' lives?

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

• Direct, supervise, and evaluate work activities of medical, nursing, technical, clerical, service, maintenance, and other personnel.
• Recruit, select, hire, train, evaluate, counsel, and supervise nursing staff.
• Coach and develop staff, engaging in the growth of your leadership team
• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, establish benchmarks, and direct professional and non-professional staff.
• Develop and implement organizational policies and procedures for the facility or medical unit.
• Develop instructional materials and conduct in-service and community-based educational programs.

PROFESSIONAL

• Maintain awareness of advances in medicine, computerized diagnostic and treatment equipment, data processing technology, government regulations, health insurance changes, and financing options.
• Consult with medical, business, and community groups to discuss service problems, respond to community needs, enhance public relations, coordinate activities and plans, and promote health programs.
• Develop or expand and implement medical programs or health services that promote research, rehabilitation, and community health.
• Communicate effectively with physicians, nursing staff, and other professional and non-professional staff.
• Knowledgeable of nursing practices and procedures as well as the laws, regulations, and guidelines governing nursing functions in the long-term care facility.
• Understand and follow company policies, including harassment and complaint procedures.
• Maintain skills in order to provide direct nursing care as necessary.

OPERATIONS

• Conduct and administer fiscal operations, including accounting, planning budgets, authorizing expenditures, establishing rates for services, and coordinating financial reporting.
• Maintain communication between governing boards, medical staff, and department heads by attending board meetings and coordinating interdepartmental activity.
• Plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies, and procedures of the Nursing Services department.
• Review and analyze facility activities and data to aid planning and cash and risk management and to improve service utilization.
• Prepare activity reports to inform management of the status and implementation plans of programs, services, and quality initiatives.
• Use of diagnostic services, inpatient beds, facilities, and staff to ensure effective use of resources and assess the need for additional staff, equipment, and services.
• Develop and maintain computerized record management systems to store and process data such as personnel activities and information, and to produce reports.
• Inspect facilities and recommend building or equipment modifications to ensure emergency readiness and compliance to access, safety, and sanitation regulations.
• Work with leadership team to establish appropriate level of CNAs and LPNs per shift based upon budgeted NHPPD

SKILLS and ABILITIES

Education: Associate’s Degree required, Bachelor’s Degree preferred
Experience: Two to four years of related nursing and leadership experience
-Excellent communications skills, written and verbal
-Solid computer skills – both personal computer and electronic medical record
-Strong leadership skills, ability to develop new strengths and skills

-Analytical skills and abilities to turn data into action; moving your facility forward

-Strong reasoning skills, good judgment, and critical thinking skills.

CERTIFICATES and LICENSES

• Certified DON (CDON-NADONA) in long-term care or become certified within the first year of employment.
• Currently registered/licensed in Maine.
• certification upon hire or obtain it during orientation. CPR certification must remain current during employment.