Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for Director of Nursing
A Director of Nursing (DON) is a senior level healthcare professional who is responsible for the overall management and leadership of a nursing department within a healthcare facility, such as a hospital, nursing home, or assisted living facility. They ensure that the nursing staff is properly trained and equipped to provide high-quality patient care and coordinate the day-to-day clinical needs. In this blog post we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Directors of Nursing.
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Main Responsibilities of Director of Nursing
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Director of Nursing:
Adhere to
Adhere to Company standards for resolving consumer concerns.
Adhere to Human Resource policies and procedures.
Adjust
Adjust plans as necessary.
Advise
Advise with hiring and contract renewal of nursing personnel.
Advocate
Advocate for rights of patients and families ensuring fair and ethical treatment.
Apply
Apply "5 Star” customer service approach in all aspects of job.
Assess
Assess community resources that may be utilized to improve resident care.
Assess, develop & initiate the Care & Service Plan for all residents.
Assist
Assist Director of Nursing with preparation for long term care survey.
Assist families and other visitors as needed.
Assist Foundations for Healthcare Professionals and adult Nurse Aide instructors.
Assist in development of staff.
Assist in ensuring adequate staffing for assigned shift.
Assist in identifying staffing needs.
Assist in overseeing direct and indirect patient services by clinical personnel.
Assist in responding to client grievances, keep DON informed of client and staff issues.
Assist in the development and implementation of objectives.
Assist in the development and implements procedures to meet the goals of the center.
Assist in the facility daily start up process.
Assist nursing clinical faculty as needed.
Assist students in integrating theory to clinical situations / application.
Assist the Administrator in reviewing deficiencies and developing plans of correction.
Assist with care planning process.
Assist with emergency situations and make immediate referrals.
Assist with recruiting as needed.
Assure
Assure adequate 24-hour nursing coverage in the facility each day.
Assure communication to all responsible parties including hospital administration.
Assure complete and accurate documentation through spot-checking and ongoing supervision.
Assure compliance with state and federal regulatory and agency standards.
Assure effective interaction with resident and families.
Assure that all employees are aware of proper and appropriate safety practices.
Assure that an adequate orientation and in-service training program is provided for all nursing.
Assure that nursing units are well stocked with nursing and patient care supplies.
Attend
Attend and participate in department / facility meeting, as required.
Attend department head meetings as required.
Attend required community meetings and participates Life Enrichment activities when able.
Communicate
Communicate current issues and emerging trends in nursing with ADN faculty and staff.
Communicate with attending physician and medical director regarding resident care issues as needed.
Complete
Complete assessments for potential new residents within 24 hours.
Complete nursing staff schedules as necessary.
Conduct
Conduct and / or contribute to staff evaluations in a timely manner.
Conduct annual performance evaluation.
Conduct daily nursing rounds.
Conduct group Application Orientation Sessions for potential ADN Program applicants.
Control
Control budgets and monitor expenditures.
Convey
Convey information to unit staff and assists staff to prepare for admission of new resident.
Coordinate
Coordinate Level of Care meeting on a weekly basis.
Coordinate programs for the development of nursing staff.
Coordinate the evaluation process for ADN faculty and staff.
Coordinate with other department heads on any patient care needs.
Counsel
Counsel ADN students concerning academic problems and disciplinary issues as necessary.
Create
Create and uphold an atmosphere of warmth, patience, enthusiasm, and a calm and cheerful environment.
Create / revise training guides.
Create systems and structures within the department to maximize productivity.
Define
Define and maintain the standards of Assisted Living practices within the community.
Define and maintain the standards of nursing practice within the Center.
Define clear roles and responsibilities.
Deliver
Deliver your work on time and on budget.
Determine
Determine and define scope of work and deliverables.
Determine the need for additional faculty release time for administrative duties.
Develop
Develop and communicate goals and objectives.
Develop and enforce policies aiming for legal and regulatory compliance and high quality standards.
Develop and implement a nursing service organization structure.
Develop and maintain an environment conducive to the teaching / learning process.
Develop and maintain the program relationship with the institutional administration.
Develop, revise, and innovate clinical instruction models within the ADN Program.
Develop, train, and lead staff in an environment of customer service and safety.
Develop work assignments and / or assist in completing and performing such tasks.
Develop workshops and trainings that help build content knowledge and capacity.
Direct
Direct all new hire training and orientation for technicians / assistants.
Direct, evaluate, and supervise patient care as necessary.
Direct all the Nursing departments positions in all aspects of their roles.
Direct the provision of nursing care in a business unit while maintaining standards of patient care.
Educate
Educate department heads to perform part of this function and delegates accordingly.
Encourage
Encourage staff development and professional growth.
Enforce
Enforce the personnel policies of the facility, including disciplining and terminating employees.
Ensure
Ensure all nursing personnel are performing work assignments in accordance with nursing standards.
Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations in all areas of nursing care.
Ensure department meets all local, state and federal agency regulations.
Ensure proper infection control techniques are utilized.
Ensure residents receive excellent care and customer service.
Ensure sound infection control practices are in place that promotes a healthy environment.
Ensure that all associate hours on time cards and weekly hours report.
Ensure that all resident rights are protected.
Ensure that rooms are ready for new admissions.
Ensure that the physical environment is safe and free from hazards.
Ensure the development of the procedures necessary to implement approved policy.
Evaluate
Evaluate equipment and supplies.
Evaluate performance of personnel.
Evaluate, develop and (when necessary) discipline and discharge subordinates.
Evaluate the findings of compliance rounds conducted by designated facility staff on a daily basis.
Evaluate the quality and appropriateness of care.
Evaluate the quality and cost-effectiveness of staffing and services in the nursing department.
Facilitate
Facilitate in-services for staff.
Facilitate pediatric referrals.
Facilitate staff training for all technicians and assistants within the hospital.
Facilitate the ADN faculty rank and tenure process.
Facilitate the patient's access to the appropriate level of care and setting.
Follow
Follow proper consent procedures.
Follow the facility's established procedures.
Formulate
Formulate, implement and evaluate a department plan for orientation and partner development.
Foster
Foster a climate conducive to educational experience for nursing and other students.
Guide
Guide staffing procedures.
Handle
Handle and / or assist the DON in determining the staffing needs of the nursing service department.
Identify
Identify actual or potential personnel or system problems and creates solutions.
Identify and advocate for services needed by students and staff.
Initiate
Initiate and participate in studies for the improvement of the educational program.
Interpret
Interpret all nursing policies and procedures to nursing personnel.
Interpret complex laws, regulations, and policies.
Interpret hospital / clinical facility policies for students.
Maintain
Maintain all licensing board requirements and program approvals.
Maintain an interest and knowledge of current trends and new developments in nursing and health.
Maintain awareness of internal operating management policies.
Maintain close coordination with all departments to ensure continuity and collaboration of services.
Maintain compliance with updating annual in-services for personnel.
Maintain confidentiality of all resident care information in accordance with guidelines.
Maintain confidentiality of resident and facility information.
Maintain current skills and knowledge through continuing education.
Maintain discretion and confidentiality in communications.
Maintain effective communication with families, residents and facility staff.
Maintain excellent services, high occupancy and meet Community financial goals.
Maintain required records, reports and statistics.
Maintain the Confidential nature of all clients and facility activities.
Make
Make responsible decisions with respect to vendor, product, price and quality.
Make rounds to assess resident and staffing needs and visits residents each work day.
Manage
Manage and evaluate staff by communicating job expectations.
Manage record-keeping procedures including clinical staff training and use of PointClickCare.
Manage the nursing department's annual budget.
Mentor
Mentor and coach a team of Outside Kitchen Design Consultants to exceed sales goals by.
Monitor
Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
Monitor, record and report symptoms and changes in resident's conditions.
Monitor scheduled and ensure adequate coverage when needed.
Monitor the staffing requirements of the facility and participate in the OHS program.
Observe
Observe residents health status.
Organize
Organize nursing department according to administrative and nursing service guidelines.
Oversee
Oversee coordination of residents' health and wellness needs and ancillary services.
Oversee hiring, disciplining, firing and the training and development of nursing staff.
Oversee patients and manage the nursing team of our facility.
Oversee the nutrition, wound, restraints, and restorative programs of the facility.
Participate
Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies.
Participate in planning and monitoring the budget for their defined areas.
Participate in state and federal surveys of the facility.
Participate in surveys / inspections made by authorized government agencies as requested.
Participate in the formulation and implementation of the philosophy and objectives of the school.
Participate in various committees as directed.
Perform
Perform evaluations for Unit Managers.
Perform personnel actions, such as evaluation and hiring and firing of staff, as necessary.
Perform repetitive motions with wrists, hands, and fingers.
Plan
Plan and conduct regular specialized in-service training.
Plan and recommend new equipment or modifications needed to provide quality patient care.
Plan, organize and direct the effective administration of each nursing unit.
Present
Present professional image to consumers through dress, behavior and speech.
Promote
Promote resolution of conflicts through delegation and accountability for positive supervision.
Promote the highest level of patient care through education of staff.
Provide
Provide 24 hour consultative services as required by regulation.
Provide clinical RN support for staff related to client needs.
Provide consultation and direction in the formulation of the nursing care plan.
Provide didactic instruction to ADN students as permitted by the Texas Board of Nursing.
Provide direct nursing care as necessary.
Provide education and training to clinical staff.
Provide information to the Quality Assurance and Assessment Committee as requested.
Provide leadership and decision making at the senior management level.
Provide nursing care to patients on an as needed basis.
Provide professional growth and development.
Reach
Reach forward, up, down, and to the side.
Reach with hands and arms.
Receive
Receive and investigates all customer feedback concerning the department and its personnel.
Report
Report findings to the Director.
Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information.
Report to upper management.
Research
Research and develop strategies to guide department goals and structures.
Resolve
Resolve issues and deficiencies when needed.
Resolve issues and problems, and make a significant contribution to team efforts.
Respond to
Respond to facility emergencies and ensure appropriate escalation and documentation.
Review
Review and analyze assigned monthly reports concerning clinical services.
Review and report finding of level of care meetings to attending physicians.
Review and revise care plan and assessments as necessary, but at least quarterly.
Review detox protocols and length of stay.
Review MAR to ensure completeness.
Schedule
Schedule and attend Care Plan meetings.
Schedule speakers for classes.
Schedule staff and conduct employee performance reviews.
Seek
Seek input from Human Resource Director in addressing employee performance issues.
See
See patients in the home setting as needed.
See that the resident's needs are met.
Serve
Serve on the Quality Assurance Committee as assigned.
Set
Set goals and lead initiatives.
Supervise
Supervise and coordinate work of licensed and unlicensed personnel in a unit.
Supervise and monitor the daily health related functions of the individuals we serve.
Supervise MDS and Care Planning process.
Supervise nursing care given by students.
Support
Support and assist in day-to-day care and clinical needs as needed.
Support the organization's mission, goals, and objectives.
Take
Take appropriate corrective action if necessary.
Understand
Understand the physical, mental, and emotional demands of the Director of Nursing Care role.
Uphold
Uphold the Organization's ethics and customer service standards.
Use
Use standard office equipment and access, input, and retrieve information from a computer.
Work
Work beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary.
Work cross-functionally within sales and other departments throughout the organization.
Work on call per schedule to provide support to the nursing department.
Work with recruiting to screen and hire new team-members.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Director of Nursing:
Management
Supervisory
CPR
Nursing Education Program
RN License
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Director of Nursing:
Written and oral communication skills
Leadership
Organizational capacity
Problem-solving attitude
Time-management
Interpersonal skills
Analytical ability
Patience
Work ethic
Attention to detail
Compassion
Confident
Critical thinker
Flexible
Manage a team successfully while maintaining personal business-related goals
