Director of Nursing - Home Health Care 2000

Job Description Summary

The Director of Nursing is responsible for the overall direction of home health clinical services. The Director of Nursing establishes implements and evaluates goals and objectives for home health services that meet and promote the standards of quality and contribute to the total organization and philosophy. The Director of Nursing also serves as the Clinical Manager for the purposes of meeting the Medicare Conditions of Participation.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities

1. Coordinates and oversees all direct and indirect patient services provided by clinical organization personnel.

1. Provides guidance and counseling to coordinators and Clinical Supervisors to assist them in continually improving all aspects of home health care services, provided through organization personnel.
2. Assists Clinical Supervisors in managing clinical teams and planning.
3. Provides help in assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient and family/caregiver care to all clinical personnel as indicated.

1. Assists the Administrator/Designee in the preparation and administration of the organization's budget.

1. Interprets operational indicators to detect census changes and increases or decreases in volume, which could impact staffing levels, revenues or expenses.

1. Evaluates performance of Clinical Supervisors.
2. Assists Clinical Supervisors to develop skills and techniques in evaluating the performance of clinicians.
3. Hires, evaluates, and terminates organization personnel.
4. Conducts clinician performance evaluations annually, or more frequently if indicated.
5. Oversees the maintenance of patient clinical records, statistics, reports and records for purposes of evaluation and reporting of organization activities.
6. Assures proper mainte­nance of clinical records in compliance with local, state and federal laws.

1. Responsible for the maintenance of adequate and appropriate inventory supplies and equipment for the provision of patient services.
2. Develops, implements and evaluates the orientation program for new organization personnel. Responsible for orientation of new organization personnel, either directly or by delegating to another staff member.

1. Plans and implements inservice and continuing education programs to meet education and training needs of organization personnel.
2. Assists with the evaluation of organization performance via performance improvement program, productivity, quarterly and annual reviews. Assures for the quality and safe delivery of home health services provided through the Organization.
3. Assists in the development of organization goals. Develops, recommends, and administers Organization policies and procedures.
4. Assures compliance with all local, state and federal laws regarding licensure and certification of organization personnel and, maintains compliance to the Joint Commission Home Care standards.
5. Stays informed about changes in the field of nursing and home health care; shares information with appropriate organization personnel.
6. Promotes home health referrals in the health care community.In the absence of the Administrator/Designee, the Director of Nursing will become the acting Administrator/Designee and will be vested with authority to act in behalf of the Administrator/Designee. If functioning as Clinical Manager, would provide oversight of all patient care services and personnel including making patient and personnel assignments; coordinating patient care; coordinating referrals; assuring patient needs are continually assessed: and assuring the development, implementation, and updates of the individualized plan of care.
7. Other duties as assigned by the Administrator/Designee.

1. Position Qualifications
2. Registered nurse with current licensure to practice professional nursing in the State or a licensed physician in the State.
3. A degree in Nursing from an accredited program by the National League for Nursing. Master's degree in health care preferred.
4. Three years of experience as a nurse, one of these years must consist of full-time experience in providing direct patient care in home health setting. The DON must be a full-time employee of only one agency.
5. Demonstrated ability to supervise and direct professional administrative personnel.
6. Ability to market and deal tactfully with customers and the community.
7. Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state and or organization requirements and is in good working order.