Director of Nursing - Community Homes

Woods Services•Middletown Township, PA

9d•$110,000•Onsite

About The Position

We want you to join our team! We need deeply compassionate, committed, and highly talented staff. The Woods organization is guided by their mission to support children and adults with disabilities or challenges to achieve their highest potential and independence through innovative and individualized approaches that promote learning and personal fulfillment. Job Summary Responsible for the management and program development/operations of the Nursing Services Department at Woods Community Service (WCS). Plans, implements, and monitors an interdisciplinary, person-centered approach to nursing service delivery for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and complex co-occurring medical needs. Ensures compliance with licensing/accreditation standards and develops, implements, monitors, and ensures quality health services for all WCS individuals. Serves as the organization’s lead Clinical Nurse Educator, Infection Prevention Officer, and nursing liaison across all residential homes.

Requirements

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or related graduate degree strongly preferred. Candidates actively enrolled in an MSN program with significant relevant leadership experience will be considered.
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited Nursing Program and PA license as a Registered Nurse (RN) required as a minimum; candidates with a BSN and 3 or more years in a nursing leadership role will be considered. (Experience in the IDD/ASD field is strongly preferred.)
Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) licensure by the PA State Board of Nursing, in good standing.
Must possess a current/valid Driver’s License, an acceptable Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) as mandated by WCS’s insurance company, and successfully complete SMITH driver training.
Current Professional BLS certification required.
Must be able to work flexible hours to meet with employees working evening and night shifts.
Must be able to bend, lift/transfer a minimum of 50 pounds.
Must physically be able to provide behavioral support and intervention as needed to ensure individual and staff safety.
Must successfully complete all required WCS background checks, health screenings, and onboarding requirements.

Responsibilities

Directs the work of all employees assigned to the Nursing Department, including the Nursing Services management team.
Provides strategic leadership direction and operational management for nursing services, ensuring alignment with WCS mission, values, and regulatory requirements; ensures continuous improvement of nursing services to meet the needs and expectations of individuals served by WCS.
Oversees employees’ performance, responsibilities, and implements/monitors an administrative system which ensures compliance with licensing/accrediting agencies, including ODP, DHS, and CMS standards, and WCS Operational Policies.
Oversee policies and procedures in a standardized procedural manual and ensure compliance with organizational, local, state, and federal healthcare guidelines, regulations, agency inspections, and reviews.
Ensures the use of consistent practices in hiring, performance evaluations/reviews, progressive discipline, discharges, and promotions in accordance with Human Resources’ guidelines.
Develops and monitors the operating budget within the Nursing Department. Ensures sound fiscal management, accountability, and responsible resource stewardship.
Chairs, participates in, and serves on appropriate clinical and organizational committees, including quality assurance, safety, and interdisciplinary care teams.
Conducts routine administrative inspections/reviews on all shifts across all homes and provides feedback to employees as needed.
Reviews, investigates, and monitors incidents for individuals/employees and ensures appropriate follow-up, root cause analysis, and timely regulatory reporting as required.
Maintains communication with nurse managers and nurse supervisors regarding individuals who are hospitalized to monitor progress and keep families/guardians/agencies/other departments informed.
Facilitates appropriate maintenance, utilization, and coordination of nursing resources through close collaboration with the Medical Center.
Effectively collaborates with the Medical Center to ensure individuals are re-evaluated post-hospitalization and for any acute changes in health status.
Coordinates and ensures adequate pharmacy services for all WCS individuals, including medication management, reconciliation, and administration oversight.
Schedules medical appointments for individuals when required and ensure recommendations of specialists are relayed to the appropriate provider to facilitate continuity of care.
Apply current evidence-based practices and clinical guidelines appropriate to the IDD/ASD population, incorporating trauma-informed care, positive behavioral support, and disability-affirming approaches.
Utilizes electronic health record (EHR) systems and data analytics to monitor health trends, outcomes, and quality indicators across the population served.
Provides direct nursing care as needed across multiple homes as assigned, including direct individual care in emergencies.
Oversees infection prevention activities including but not limited to: manages, evaluates, develops, implements, and monitors infection prevention and control activities to prevent or minimize infectious disease transmission; ensures compliance with current CDC, OSHA, and state health department standards; and assists with staff training of such activities.
Ensures employee awareness regarding Health/Safety issues.
Ensures that regular required and planned in-service training is implemented for employees. Conducts planned facility-wide in-service training as needed.
Partners with Operations, Training, and Human Resources to develop curricula that are reflective of evidence-based practice and use appropriate methods of teaching to accommodate diverse learning styles and environments, including in the design and implementation of WCS orientation and on-the-job training curricula.
Educates nursing and non-nursing employees on the use of new equipment, supplies, medications, treatments, technology, and best practices; coordinates in-service training and workshops as needed, and promptly communicates changes in individual diet, care plan, and health status to all staff.
Provides consultation to enhance continuing education, professional development opportunities, and mentorship for nurses at all levels.
Actively promotes and models critical thinking, commitment to professional development, and lifelong learning.
Reviews staffing needs and develops/updates plans to ensure adequate/required nursing staffing across all shifts. Coordinates the use of agency nurses and per diem staff when the need arises, ensuring qualifications and competency standards are maintained.
Maintains professional/ethical relationships with all employees/individuals/family/guardians/agencies and facilitates effective working relationships between the Nursing Department and employees of other departments.
Maintains visibility for the Nursing Department across homes/shift and fosters open communication between/among employees.
Meets routinely with assigned employees. Interprets and communicates information to assigned employees in an effective/timely manner.
Collaborate with the Executive Director/ Residential Director/Medical Director of WCS on projects, staffing challenges, medication management/administration, educational needs of staff, and quality improvement initiatives to promote cohesiveness between departments.
Performs other duties as assigned, including but not limited to direct individual care.