Director of Nursing (DON)

Alden Gardens of Waterford•Aurora, IL

20h•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Nursing plans, organizes, develops, directs, and delegates the overall operation of the Nursing Department in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local standards, regulations, and facility policies. The role is responsible for maintaining the highest degree of quality care. The position is based in Aurora, Illinois.

Requirements

Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse license to practice in Illinois and/or Wisconsin.
At least one year of nursing service administration experience.
Current CPR certificate, or ability to become certified within two weeks of employment.
Knowledge of nursing and medical practices and procedures.
Ability to read, write, and speak English understandably.
Ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant.
Ability to deal tactfully with residents, family members, visitors, personnel, government agencies and personnel, and the general public.
Leadership and supervisory ability, and willingness to work harmoniously with personnel.
Personable, enthusiastic, and resourceful.
Ability to move intermittently throughout the workday and cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
Adequate sight and hearing, with or without prosthetics, to perform the position’s requirements.
Ability to function independently and work effectively with residents, families, personnel, and support agencies; flexibility and personal integrity.
Good general health and emotional stability; ability to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and sometimes hostile people.
May need to lift, push, pull, and move equipment, supplies, and residents weighing more than 50 pounds.
Subject to exposure to infectious waste and diseases, including HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.

Responsibilities

Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct the Nursing Department and its policies, procedures, and protocols.
Review nursing procedures and protocols annually and make recommendations to the Administrator.
Supervise and instruct facility staff to promote job knowledge; identify problems and implement solutions with Administration.
Develop and implement a nursing, rehabilitation, and restorative-care philosophy that promotes quality resident care.
Ensure adequate staffing across shifts; recruit, interview, and select staff with the Administrator’s approval; schedule work hours and assignments; counsel or discipline staff as needed; and complete timely performance evaluations.
Make daily rounds to monitor nursing duties and procedures, and make daily rounds on all residents; make rounds with physicians as necessary.
Audit charts, electronic health records, transfers, and discharge information for accuracy, completeness, and deficiencies; ensure daily documentation and laboratory and x-ray reports are received and filed.
Assist in developing written plans of care and attend resident care plan conferences when indicated.
Attend Customer and Family Council meetings when invited, and report resident or family concerns and complaints to the Administrator.
Submit reviewed Workers’ Compensation forms to the Business Office Manager within 24 hours of an occurrence.
Plan, conduct, and participate in in-service education; help maintain an effective orientation program; and attend continuing education programs.
Order equipment and supplies as necessary, following budgetary guidelines and purchase-order procedures requiring Administrator review.
Maintain a reference library of nursing materials, including drug formularies and state and federal regulations.
Participate with the Administrator and Admissions Director in selecting appropriate admissions and room assignments.
Review nurses’ notes and EHR entries to ensure they describe the nursing care provided and residents’ responses.
Monitor medication passes and treatment schedules to ensure medications are administered as ordered and treatments are provided as scheduled.
Ensure professional nursing personnel hold valid, current licenses as required by the state.
Ensure changes in residents’ conditions are reported to families and attending physicians.
Attend department-head, infection-control, quality-assurance, and other meetings as directed.
Accept assigned work, which may involve different floors, residents, workloads, and multiple tasks, and perform other related duties as assigned.