Director of Nursing

August 9, 2024

JOB SUMMARY:

The primary purpose of the Director of Nursing position is to plan, organize, develop and direct the overall operation of the Nursing Department to ensure that the highest degree of quality care and assure resident safety is maintained at all times.

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Administrative Functions
Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct the nursing department, as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long-term care facility.
Develop, maintain, and periodically update written policies and procedures that govern the day-to-day needs of the resident.
Maintain a reference library of written nursing material (i.e., PDR’s Federal and State Regulations, Vanguard Clinical Protocols, etc.) that will assist the nursing department in meeting the day-to-day needs of the resident.
Maintain and periodically update the Nursing Protocols Manual, nursing services objectives and philosophies in collaboration with the P/C; Chief Nursing Officer.
Develop and implement a nursing organization structure.
Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the Administrator, as necessary/required, concerning the operation of the nursing department.
Assist the Nurse Educator in developing, maintaining and periodically updating written job descriptions for each level of nursing personnel in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, OSHA, and other pertinent laws and regulations.
Develop methods for coordination of nursing services with other resident services to ensure the continuity of the residents’ total regimen of care.
Develop, implement, and maintain an ongoing quality assurance performance improvement program for the nursing department.
Participate in facility surveys conducted by authorized government agencies.
Assist the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies.
Assist in the development, implementation and accurate completion of forms/reports for the admission, transfer and/or discharge procedures including the nursing portion of the Initial Nursing Assessment, Minimum Data Set (MDS), Resident Care Plan, and the Annual MDS
Review and insure that charting documentation procedures for nursing are met according to Vanguard, state and federal guidelines.
Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc. as necessary.
Track all Medicare, SNF Medicaid and private insurance days.
Maintain Medicare census logs, including admissions, discharges, and number of Medicare days used.
Coordinate all medical reviews and make sure information gathered will insure payment by Medicare.
Make sure Certification/Re-certification forms are complete for physician’s signature.
Conduct daily/weekly skilled meeting with therapy and nursing departments to optimize reimbursement and make decisions regarding de-certification and discharge.
Fill out de-certification letters.
Assist with all intermediary inquiries and denials. Notify therapy department of inquiries or pending denials.
Complete reconsideration requests and send to intermediaries.
Complete requests for hearing appeals, making sure all copies of the medical record are accurate and complete. Notify home office of any hearings.
Appear at hearings and present case summary as necessary.
File requests for review of hearing decisions with appeals council.
Maintain doctor’s certification sheets filled out completely and accurately as directed by Medicare regulations. Maintain a Medicare Part A log.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Education
Must possess, as a minimum, a Nursing Degree (RN) from an accredited college, university or nursing school.

Experience
Must have, as a minimum, three to five (3-5) years of experience as Director of Nursing in a long-term care facility.
Must have, as a minimum, 6 months training experience in rehabilitative and restorative nursing practices.