Director of Nursing

Description Job Title: Director of Nursing Reports To: CEO Department: Nursing FLSA Status: Salaried Exempt SUMMARY Plans, organizes and directs the provision of patient care services. Supervises department personnel and all functions including developing and maintaining nursing service objectives, standards of care, policy and procedures, and educational in-services. Manages and performs duties in Utilization Review, Quality Assurance and Infection Control. Responsible for assuring compliance of the hospital as a member of East Texas Gulf Coast Regional Trauma Advisory Council (RAC-R). Responsible for bed reporting to EMResource and Web EOC. Ensure departmental compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations. OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Class 1. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES A. Plans, organizes and directs the provision of patient care services. Develops and maintains nursing practice that is consistent with the Nurse Practice Act for the State of Texas. Plans and directs compliance of policies and procedures for the hospital nursing department and procedures to keep them up to date with current standards. Maintains current job descriptions for all categories of nursing personnel. Visits all nursing units, analyzing and evaluating nursing care and related services provided to patients. Assumes responsibility for identifying problem areas of patient care and formulates plans of action to solve them. Assures proper handling of and care of emergency patients, visitors, and employees involved in accidents while in the building or on the job. Provides care appropriate for the pediatric, adolescent, and geriatric patients served based on demonstrated knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span. Assesses and interprets data on pediatric, adolescent, and geriatric patients’ status to identify patients’ requirements relative to their age-specific needs and provides care needed as stipulated in departmental policy. B. Facilitates favorable relationships within nursing, and with the Medical Staff, and all other hospital departments and seeks input regarding nursing care. Maintains positive and effective working relationships with other departments and the Medical Staff, and with federal, state, and local agencies. Coordinates nursing service activities with other departments. Serves as a consultant on admitting and discharge policies and procedures. Establishes nursing procedures on the administration and control of medications under the direction of the Pharmacist and the Pharmacy Committee. C. Manage department functions and supervises department personnel . Establishes Nursing Department goals and objectives and evaluates progress towards their achievement. Initiates departmental policies, procedures, and practices consistent with hospital policy. Supervises and coordinates activities including work routine and schedules, and selects, hires, develops, evaluates, disciplines, and terminates department employees in compliance with hospital policy. Assists administration in monitoring the utilization of approved budgeted resources including supplies, equipment, education and adequate staffing levels of nursing. Assures compliance with federal, state, and other regulations pertaining to nursing services and the provision of patient care. D. Maintains the infection control policies and procedures. Initiates, reviews, and revises infection control policies and procedures. Maintains close communication with all hospital personnel to act as the focal point for accumulating infection control information. Assists with and participates in infection control in-service for the entire hospital. E. Manages the Utilization Review Program. Manage the monitoring and compiling of information regarding the necessity of admission and continued stay of patients. Manage the review of patient records to assemble utilization review information. Manage the admission and continued stay reviews on all Medicare, Medicaid, and some non-federal covered patients. Manage the communication with the provider advisor regarding utilization review concerns, such as, when questions arise concerning an admission, when recertification of a patient is required, or when the need for continued stay is questioned. F. Manages the maintenance of records and supports the hospital in utilization matters. Prepares and presents education sessions and materials for medical staf