DIRECTOR OF NURSING

DEFINITION:
The Director of Nursing is a qualified person appointed by the Administrator with approval of the Governing Body to direct and coordinate the clinical activities of the Agency. The Director of Nursing may be a direct employee of the agency or a related business entity.

LINE OF AUTHORITY:
The Director of Nursing reports directly to Administrator.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Graduate of an approved school of nursing licensed in the state of practice; that has at least one-three (1-3) years of supervisory experience as a registered nurse in a licensed home health agency, a facility licensed in this state.
• Evidence of adequate health status to perform duties.
• Ability to learn, absorb and apply professional training.
• Ability to organize work procedures, assume responsibility and effectively supervise others.
• Demonstrates excellent problem solving techniques and abilities.
• Demonstrates effective knowledge and application of the federal and state regulatory bodies governing home health care.
• Able to see and hear adequately to respond to auditory and visual requests which relate to the coordination of Agency activities.
• Able to speak in a clear, concise voice in order to communicate direction for Agency activities and staff.
• Travels as required.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
• Supervises all personnel who deliver direct patient services.
• Participates in all activities relative to provision of professional services.
• Ensures that all staff providing care maintains professional standards of community practice.
• Maintains and adheres to agency procedure and patient care policy manuals.
• Establishes service policies and procedures in compliance with state health statutes and administrative rules to include CDC guidelines, OSHA guidelines for employee safety, Standard precautions, and infection control procedures.
• Employs and evaluates personnel who deliver direct patient services.
• Coordinates patient care services.
• Provides case management as described in state and federal regulations.
• Establishes and implements policies for, and keeps records of criteria for admission to service, case assignments and case management.
• Informs staff about home health statutes and administrative rules.
• Provides written materials pertaining to the same and interprets materials as necessary.
• Directs installation of improved work methods and procedures to ensure achievement of objectives of the Agency.
• Coordinates and integrates functional phases of total Agency activities.
• Interprets and transmits policies of the Agency to the staff.
• Participates in preparation of the annual budget.
• Reports to the Administrator regarding changes that affect the Agency.
• Attends and participates in patient care conferences.
• Participates in National State and Local association organizations and meetings.
• Maintains confidentiality of Patient, Agency, and Employee matters.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Administrator.
• Ensures that all staff is provided with adequate orientation to the Agency prior to patient contact.
• Ensures that all personal care services are provided under a written assignment.
• Ensures that continuing education is available for staff participation.
• Establishes and conducts an ongoing performance Improvement program that meets the following requirements:
 Case assignment and management is appropriate, adequate, and consistent with the plan of care;
 All services provided to the patient are coordinated, appropriate, adequate and consistent with the plan of care;
 All services and outcomes are completely and legibly documented, dates and signed in the clinical services record;
 Confidentiality of patient care is maintained; and
 Findings of the performance improvement program are used to improve services.
• Is available at all times during business hours or ensures that a qualified registered nurse is available in his/her absence.
• Assures that PI duties are completed on a quarterly basis.
• Assists Administrator with annual program evaluation and PAC meeting.
• Responsible for development of annual in-service/continuing education schedule for agency staff.
• Attains quarterly goals as established by the Administrator in the annual evaluation.
• Submits documentation in a timely manner.