Description

                                                       Director of Nursing

Position Summary:

The Director of Nursing is responsible for directing, coordinating, and controlling the multi-disciplinary activities required to provide a safe environment for patients undergoing surgical intervention.

Responsibilities:

The Director of Nursing duties will consist of, but are not limited to:

•        Determines and accomplishes objectives which are in concert with facility objectives.
•        Supervises and directs patient care.
•        Assures that proper technique and practices are used according to accepted standards of practice.
•        Ensures care of patient through proper identification, checking of chart, and reporting of changes in condition.
•        Aids physicians and anesthetist as required.
•        Assures documentation of patient care meets criteria dictated by state licensing, accreditation organization and Medicare certification regulations.
•        Directs nursing through regular group meetings and coaching on a one-on-one basis.  Assesses quality of nursing care by regular review of audit results and chart documentation.  Discusses treatment of selected patients with nursing staff members and the Medical Director.
•        Coordinates the employment of qualified personnel. May recommend subordinates for promotions, salary increases, or for suspension/termination.
•        Follows through with orientation and training of new staff.
•        Determines performance expectations for nursing personnel.  Provides for a performance appraisal system based on performance expectations and individual goals.
•        Determines educational needs of staff and provides appropriate resources for meeting educational needs.
•        Participates in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement activities.
•        Determines needs for facilities, supplies and equipment.  Recommends and substantiates requests for purchase.
•        Utilizes a body of nursing knowledge and discriminative judgment while giving direct or indirect patient care.
•        Reduces chances of nosocomial infection by directing attention to infection control and environmental safety practices. Oversees the Infection Control Program as the Infection Control Nurse.
•        Responsible for patient safety during the state of enforced dependency created preoperatively, intra-operatively, and postoperatively.
•        Responsible for creating a safe, therapeutic environment in which the patient's psychological, physiological, and physical needs are identified, anticipated, and met.
•        Provides a channel of communication between events and team members in the Operating Room and persons who may not be in the immediate area, but who are concerned with the patient's operative status.
•        Assesses needs for instrumentation, supplies, equipment, and pharmaceutical requirements of surgical procedures.
•        Is responsible for overseeing and directing all drug utilization, control, and accountability per policies.
•        Must file an incident report for any unusual event that occurs to a patient or member of staff; this would include, but not be limited to, falls, needlestick injuries, aspiration of gastric contents, allergic reactions, and disruptive behavior by staff or patients. Also required to report any incidences or alleged incidences of abuse, harassment, or injury to self, other employees, or patients occurring at the Center or relating to the Center. Further specifications can be found in the Abuse Reporting documents and Code of Safe Practices, provided by Human Resources.
•        Performs other duties assigned by the Medical Director.

Requirements

Qualifications:

•        Graduate of a school of professional nursing.
•        Current RN (Registered Nurse) licensure in the State of California.
•        Current certification in BLS.  ACLS required.  PALS, if applicable.
•        At least two years of recent experience as a Charge Nurse preferred.
•        Has a thorough working knowledge of aseptic technique and its application.
•        Full command of the English language, both verbal and written.

I have had the opportunity to review and agree to the Job Description above.

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Date: