Director of Nursing (DON)

Description:

Transitions Hospice is looking for a compassionate Director of Nursing (DON) to join our family! This is a full-time position. The DON will work in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of medical and nursing care. The DON will act as a role model providing leadership and support to the hospice staff. Local Travel is Necessary.

What We Offer:

Highly Competitive Compensation

Monthly Gas Card

Auto Allowance paid per check

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, STD & LTD

Paid Time Off

401K

Company Issued Electronics (laptop/tablet)

Tuition Reimbursement

Specialty Certs: Hospice & Palliative

Free Scrubs

Free TB testing

Free Physicals

Free CPR

The DON is responsible for the support and overseeing of regional clinical services. Establish, implement, and

evaluate goals and objectives for hospice services that meet and promote Transitions standards of quality and contribute to the total organization and philosophy. Hire, train, orient, supervise, and evaluate qualified Hospice interdisciplinary team personnel. Provide daily direction to the team, including coordinating schedules, care planning, documentation, productivity, and all other patient care operations. Respond to customer complaints regarding patient care and/or facility issues and assure they are handled in accordance with Transitions policies and procedures and/or legal compliance requirements. Collaboration and direct coordination with the Administrator and the team in the region. Travel required.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Nursing Process

As a member of the Interdisciplinary team, the Director of Nursing utilizes the nursing process to contribute to each patient’s total plan of care.

Assessing and Planning:

Seek and obtain sufficient information necessary to function effectively in the Hospice setting where the patient/family/caregiver are requiring care.
Utilize clinical knowledge to provide leadership and guidance to the Interdisciplinary team in formulating and individualizing interdisciplinary plan of care to include problem identification, interventions, and goals to address palliative comfort measures for the terminally ill patient/family/caregiver.
Contribute to identifying both active and potential needs of the patient and his/her family, which may affect the plan of care.
Consistently collaborate with the physician to plan and implement the medical and nursing plan of care.
Review the comprehensive interdisciplinary plan of care with the IDG Team. Communicate in writing in the chart and verbally with the IDG to coordinate interventions and ensure continuity of care.
Facilitate and participate in the IDG care conference and contribute to patient care planning.
Assess the need for changes in Levels of Care, and schedule based on the needs of the patient.
Respond to all emergency calls in an effective manner. Prioritizing based on the needs of the patient.

Implementing and Evaluating

Facilitate the implementation of nursing interventions and appropriate preventative and therapeutic nursing procedures. Provide direct patient care as necessary.
Collaborate with Interdisciplinary Team members to provide continuous assessment of assigned patients, interpret findings, initiate appropriate therapeutic actions, and evaluate the results of these actions.
Accepts responsibility of assignment to perform a specialized procedure only when qualified with specialty training, proven competency, clinical background, and expertise in the specialty area.
Work in cooperation with family/caregiver and interdisciplinary team members to meet the emotional needs of the patient/family/caregiver.
Provides appropriate information and explanation to the patient’s families. Facilitates patient and family education, to promote continuity of care and optimal patient/family outcome for quality death as defined by the patient/family/caregiver.
Demonstrates expertise in the utilization of all Interdisciplinary Team members, including volunteers and community resources.
Assists in the investigation and resolution of quality issues in conjunction with the Continuous Quality Improvement Committee.
Fulfill productivity requirements on an average daily census basis as determined by acuity level and Executive Director.
Complete and maintain all patient records at patient’s residence, maintain charts and submit accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patient’s condition and care given.

Education

The Director of Nursing is a mentor who demonstrates an ability in providing educational experiences and communicating knowledge of patient care to members of the Interdisciplinary Team including, but not limited to: volunteers, patient and families/caregivers, health care professionals, and the general community.

Act as a mentor who facilitates individual staff development from novice to expert. Participate in the orientation of new personnel and assists with field training as needed.
Identify the learning needs of the hospice staff and other health care professionals, and facilitate formal and informal in-services, and patient care conferences to promote professional growth of all Interdisciplinary team members.
Teach patient/family/caregiver disease process and self-care techniques as appropriate. Provide medication, diet and other instructions as ordered by physician and recognize and utilize opportunities for health counseling with patients/families/caregivers.
Facilitate the development of teaching aids to promote patient/family/caregiver learning.
Evaluate effectiveness of educational experiences i n order to promote ongoing professional development of hospice staff and quality patient/family/caregiver outcomes.

Management

The Director of Nursing provides leadership and support to encourage optimum development and performance of each hospice staff member and provides an atmosphere that is compatible with team building. Collaborates with the Administrator to implement manpower and operational budgets, supervision, evaluation and counseling of hospice staff, development and implementation of the company’s goals and objectives.

Manpower

Coordinates staffing assignments and scheduling of visits.
Visit frequencies are according to individual patient needs and acuity.
Visit frequencies are reviewed frequently throughout the day and altered to meet patient needs and acuity.
Patient care visit frequencies are developed with the purpose of providing continuity of care through use of the Interdisciplinary Hospice Team.
Patient Care visits will be coordinated with all Interdisciplinary Team members in order to utilize manpower resources and provide optimal patient care.
Participates in evening/weekend calls as required, conducting on-call services in a clinically competent and responsive manner.

Operational

Ensures adequate and appropriate inventory of supplies and equipment for the provision of patient services and that equipment and supplies are used efficiently.
Schedules CC/GIP/Sitting Cases with a budget conscious mindset. Consulting with the Administrator for suggestions as needed.
Responsible for the appropriate utilization of medications, supplies and equipment.
Responsible for the appropriate utilization of staffing human resources including overtime, hourly employees and contracted staff.

Personnel

Assist in development of individualized plans, which address performance deficiencies.
Provides timely supervision and counseling of staff, which is constructive and encourages growth.
Strengthens problem solving ability of staff through periodic review of patient outcomes and facilitates implementation of peer review.
Maintains confidentiality in matters relating to co-workers.

Leadership

Demonstrates behavior appropriate to role model and leader. Adherence to a code of conduct conducive with Transitions HealthCare policy is expected.
Demonstrates creativity and critical thinking ability in the development of patient care plans, or projects.
Assumes a leadership role to facilitate interdisciplinary coordination and collaboration.
Functions without supervision, utilizing time constructively and organizing assignments for maximum productivity.
Functions as a change agent, facilitating change by utilizing a constructive approach.
Collaborates with the Interdisciplinary Team and Executive Director and Administrator to develop agency goals and objectives.
Participates in agency planning activities.

Communication

Identifies self and clarifies role to patient/family/caregiver, physicians, nursing facility staff and other referral sources.
Recognizes and responds appropriately to verbal and non-verbal cues.
Communicates effectively with all members of the Interdisciplinary Team by:

- Defending and supporting peer/team decisions and actions.

- Asserting self with tact.

- Supporting collaboration.

- Maintaining open communication.

- Offering suggestions and criticisms constructively.

- Asking questions and sharing information during Interdisciplinary team conferences and nursing facility care conferences.

Maintain confidentiality in all areas.
Relates complete and pertinent information in verbal and written communication. Maintains clinical records, statistics, reports as prescribed and in compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
Initiates and maintains open and effective communication with Executive Director and Administrator as well as members of the Interdisciplinary Team as evidenced by improved patient outcomes.

Quality Improvement

Works collaboratively with the Quality Assurance team, ensuring accurate follow up and communication is facilitated between field staff and the quality team.
Actively facilitates the quality improvement process.
Facilitates active, ongoing problem solving, which reflects Interdisciplinary Team participation.
Pursues problems to resolution, and /or refers to them through the appropriate chain of command.
Assumes responsibility for personal growth and maintain and upgrade professional knowledge and practice skills through attendance and participation in continuing education and in-service classes.
Assures for compliance with local, state, and federal laws, Medicare regulation, and established personnel policies and procedures.
Maintains all appropriate state nursing licensing requirements.

Other

Adherence to a code of conduct conducive with Transitions Hospice policy is expected.
Meet or exceed delivery of Company Service Standards in a consistent fashion.
Interact with all staff in a positive and motivational fashion supporting the Company’s mission.
Conduct all business activities in a professional and ethical manner.
Create and maintain a professional atmosphere that is also a fun place to work.

IND2

Requirements:

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
RN licensed in the state program is located; C.H.P.N. (Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse) certification preferred.
Five (5) + years general nursing preferred with current Hospice, home health, medical, surgical, or critical care experience. Experience with pain and symptom management interventions preferred.
Minimum one (3) years supervisory experience in a healthcare setting.
Ability to work within an interdisciplinary setting.
Demonstrate excellent observation, assessment, nursing judgment and communication skills.
Strong ability to multitask, and prioritize patient needs.
Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.