Director of Nursing

We are always looking for caring people with a passion for excellence - Join the Vernon Healthcare team.

We are actively seeking a compassionate, dedicated and experienced Director of Nursing (RN) to join our Vernon Health & Rehabilitation team.

Our staff are our most valuable asset. Here's what they are saying about us -

"Everyone on the team is so supportive of each other. Even the CEO knows my name and asks me how my kids are doing. This team is home for me." - CNA, South Bend, IN

"I enjoy working so closely with the residents. They bring as much comfort to me as I do to them. This is a unique building with a great family feel." - RN, Gary, IN

What do we know makes us different? Here's what you can count on from us.

Vernon Health & Rehabilitation has a close-knit, supportive, and collaborative team
We care deeply for our residents and families, our employees, and the communities we serve
We train and build our people and genuinely invest in their professional growth
Our culture is rooted in:
Trust
Excellence
Service Leadership
Working Together
We always deliver the best possible care for our residents and families
We appreciate and celebrate the contributions made by all of the individuals on our teams

OBJECTIVE

The primary purpose of the position is to plan, budget, organize, develop and direct the overall operation of the Nursing Service department in accordance with current Federal, State and local standards, guidelines and regulations that govern the facility to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times in accordance with the Budget and Operation Plans of the organization. Responsible for ensuring that an adequate level of services is provided to each resident, documented appropriately and regularly evaluated. The Director of Nursing will utilize the nursing process in performance of his/her job and will keep abreast of current trends in nursing care and service. The nurse will practice in accordance with the state nursing practice act, nursing ethics and state rules and regulations.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

1. Graduate of an accredited school of nursing and currently registered with the State Board of Examiners for Registered Nurses in the State where the facility is located or if applicable, is able to obtain a pending license with final state license within 30 days of hired in state where facility is located.

2. Minimum of two (2) years administrative and supervisory experience. Preferably in long term health care setting.

3. Verbal and written abilities necessary to communicate and work effectively with various levels of staff, residents, family members and the public, and representative of the various regulatory agencies, and for required written documentation or reports.

4. Numerical ability necessary to make various computations in planning departmental objectives, keeping work records and schedules, preparing budgets, requisitioning supplies, and monitoring inventory control.

5. Ability to apply principles of personnel administration to interviewing, selection and supervision of employees, and in monitoring department activities.

6. Able to evaluate reports, programs, systems, and other data against both judgmental and verifiable criteria.

7. Able and willing to work flexible hours, such as during a staff shortage or emergency situation.

8. Caring person with a desire to work with the frail and elderly.

9. Displays optimal intra and interdepartmental relationships.

10. Ability to establish and maintain optimum rapport with residents, family members and regulatory agencies.

11. Ability to utilize computers and other electronic devices for tasks such as timekeeping, in-servicing and documentation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Administrative Functions:

a. Directs and delegates the management of nursing staff in conjunction with the Executive Director

b. Coordinates activities of various nursing units, promotes and maintains harmonious relationships among nursing personnel, and with medical staff, residents and the public.

c. Interviews and hires nursing department personnel and/or monitors and evaluates the process if delegated to another person. Counsels and/or disciplines employees or infractions of established rules/guidelines; terminates employees (with assistance from HR department and/or Executive Director) when needed. Conducts exit interviews of nursing department personnel.

d. Conducts nursing performance evaluations.

e. Works in conjunction with the Executive Director in determining the number of professional and non-professional staff necessary to meet the nursing care needs of the residents.

f. Develops implements and maintains work routines and special staffing schedules. Maintains an established staffing schedule, not exceeding budgeted hours per pay period for the department.

g. Plans, directs and evaluates orientation and in-service training programs for the professional and non-professional staff following regulatory agencies/federal/state guidelines.

h. Schedules, presents and records regular department meetings.

i. Reviews timecards verifying hours worked and approves overtimes.

j. Attends Department Head meetings and all-staff meetings and in-service programs as scheduled. Represents the department on various committees as requested by the Executive Director.

k. Instructs staff on various federal, state and facility's regulations, policies/guidelines and procedures; monitors compliance.

l. Participates in Executive Director-approved ongoing educational programs. Attends required in-services and completes assigned on-line modules.

m. Accepts responsibility for the facility in the absence of the Executive Director.

2. Department Budgeting and Planning Processes:

a. Participates in the preparation of the operating and capital budget for the Nursing Department.

b. Confers with the Executive Director on an annual basis, in the development and implementation of department objectives with respect to overall facility and organizational goals; reviews quarterly.

c. Plans and conducts discussions with the supervisory and professional nursing staff to encourage participation in formulating Nursing Department goals and objectives.

d. Reviews department goals on a quarterly basis

e. Monitors monthly department expenditures to budget. Maintains written records of department expenditures and assures that adequate reports/records are maintained to reflect facility operational/nursing costs.

3. Policy Functions:

a. Responsible for understanding and complying with all policies contained in corporately issued standard manuals that apply to the functioning of the nursing department.

b. Supports and implements administrative policies.

c. Collaborates with the Executive Director in reviewing department policies and procedure/guidelines at least annually or as needed; making written recommendations to the Regional Director.

4. Department Inspections:

a. Conducts and/or assists with department inspections.

b. Conducts departmental service and storage inspections on a regular basis to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations and facility standards.

c. Participates in local, state, federal and insurance inspections, in cooperative effort with the Executive Director, initiates deficiency corrections when necessary.

5. Infection Control and Safety:

a. Manages/oversees Infection Control and Safety programs department.

b. Acts as Director or Co-Director of Infection Control for the facility as designated by the facility Executive Director.

c. Inspects and evaluates on a periodic basis, with the Maintenance Supervisor or designee, physical plan conditions, making recommendations concerning relocation of equipment, re-allocation of space to improve sanitation, appearance, safety and work efficiency.

d. Reports any unsafe conditions or any conditions conducive to breeding insects, rodents or other vermin to Executive Director.

e. Monitors and enforces sanitation policies/guidelines and procedures as it relates to infection control and safety.

f. Instructs and trains staff in isolation case techniques; monitors techniques closely when isolation case occurs.

g. Maintains hygienically safe methods for drug distribution in collaboration with the consultant pharmacist and federal, state and local laws.

6. Fire and Disaster Plans:

a. Understands facility's fire and disaster plans; follows established procedures during drills and actual emergencies.

b. Ensures nursing staff understands and are regularly in-serviced on facility's fire and disaster plans.

7. Delivery of Nursing Services:

a. Organizes and administers the delivery of nursing services and related ancillary services.

b. Develops and maintains Nursing Service objectives, philosophy and standards of nursing practice.

c. Analyzes and evaluates nursing care and related ancillary and therapeutic services rendered to improve quality of patient care and to plan the best utilization of staff time and activities.

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