Director of Nursing

Director of Nursing (DON) – Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living

Position Overview: The Director of Nursing (DON) is a critical leadership position responsible for overseeing nursing operations in both Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living settings. The DON ensures high-quality care, responsible for CMS quality measure outcomes, and satisfaction among team members, residents, and their families. This role includes process development, effective scheduling within budgetary constraints, and achieving positive outcomes in public health surveys.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership and      Management:
  • Functions as a       member of the key management team
  • Supporting the       mission and vision of Cantata Adult Life Services through clinical and       fiscal accountability
  • Provide       visionary and operational leadership to the nursing teams across Skilled       Nursing and Assisted Living units.

o Role-modeling excellence in clinical practice, interpersonal and communication skills, problem-solving, and interfacing with the interdisciplinary team.

• Recruit,       train, and mentor nursing staff, fostering a culture of excellence,       collaboration, and professional growth.
• Promote a       positive work environment that enhances team morale, retention, and       performance.
• Communication:

o Developing and communicating to all staff a customer-oriented mission which includes high quality, cost-effective care.

• Quality      Assurance and CMS/IDPH Compliance:
  • Ensure full       compliance with CMS and IDPH regulations, and guidelines.
  • Monitor and       drive quality measure outcomes, implementing corrective actions as needed       to achieve and maintain high standards.
  • Regularly       review clinical data and outcomes to identify areas for improvement and       to ensure the highest level of care.
  • Develop       Quality Assurance and Process Improvement plans that are inclusive of       root cause analysis – monitor and measure improvement to desired outcomes

o Safety:

o Must address safety issues within the higher levels of living.

o Participates as a Safety Committee member.

o Developing, communicating, and assuring compliance with current, effective departmental safety policies and procedures.

o Handling injured worker issues and documentation.

o Develops and implements procedures for health screening for new employees.

o Works closely with the Infection Prevention Nurse to manage the control and surveillance of infection and potential infection-related issues throughout campus.

• Clinical Care      and Resident and Family Satisfaction:

o Assuring that resident rights are respected

• Ensure that       residents receive personalized, compassionate care that meets their       physical, emotional, and social needs.
• Engage with       residents and their families to gather feedback, address concerns, and       ensure their satisfaction with the care provided.
• Implement       initiatives to continuously improve the resident and family experience.
• Directing       and supporting the Restorative philosophy

o Evaluating resident response to treatment plan, including medications and recommending alterations in the plan of care as needed.

o Participating in the Interdisciplinary Team conferences as necessary.

o Communicating directly and in a timely fashion with attending physicians, the Medical Director, and the Consultant Pharmacist.

• Process      Development and Improvement:
  • Lead efforts       to develop, implement, and refine nursing processes, protocols, and       procedures to enhance efficiency and quality of care.
  • Utilize       evidence-based practices and resident feedback to drive continuous       improvement in nursing operations.
  • Standardize       processes across both Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living units to ensure       consistency and compliance.
• Scheduling and      Resource Management:
  • Works       collaboratively with Scheduler to develop and manage staff schedules to       align with resident care needs, ensuring optimal staffing levels across       all shifts.
  • Balance       scheduling needs with budgetary constraints to ensure cost-effective       operations without compromising care quality.
  • Monitor and       adjust staffing levels based on census changes, acuity levels, and other       operational demands.
• Public Health      Survey Preparation and Outcomes:
  • Lead       preparations for public health surveys and inspections, ensuring all       nursing operations meet or exceed regulatory standards.
  • Address any       deficiencies or areas of concern identified in surveys promptly and       effectively.
  • Implement       strategies to achieve and maintain positive outcomes in public health       surveys, ensuring the facility’s reputation for high-quality care.
• Team      Development and Engagement:
  • Encourage       ongoing professional development and continuing education for all nursing       staff.
  • Provide       on-going feedback for all nursing staff including evaluation of skills
  • Create       opportunities for team building, recognition, and professional growth to       enhance staff engagement and job satisfaction.
  • Lead       initiatives to reduce turnover and enhance recruitment by fostering a       positive and supportive work environment.
• Financial      Management:

o Participating in day-to-day clinical decisions, including screening for potential residents for admission.

• Participate in       the budgeting process, ensuring nursing services are delivered within       financial constraints.
• Monitor and       manage expenses related to staffing, supplies, and equipment, seeking       cost-saving opportunities without compromising care quality.
• Collaborate       with other departments to align nursing operations with the overall       financial goals of the facility.

Qualifications:

o Illinois Registered Nurse (RN) license with a minimum of 5 years of experience in a Skilled Nursing, Assisted Living, or similar healthcare setting.

o Proven leadership experience in nursing management, preferably in a role overseeing both Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living units.

o Strong understanding of CMS quality measures, public health survey requirements, and healthcare regulations.

o Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.

o Ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to change, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Meeting Attendance:

Maintain regular and punctual attendance at work and meetings.

o Daily Stand-Up Meeting

o Weekly Medicare Meeting

o Monthly QAPI Meeting

o Weekly Staff Meeting

o Bi-Weekly Leadership Meeting

o Monthly nursing team meeting

o In-services and education programs

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Ability      to manage skilled care and assisted living staff.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Proactive      and independent with the ability to take initiative.
• Excellent      time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Familiarity with laws, regulations,      and best practices applicable to skilled nursing and assisted living care.
• Infectious      control and prevention knowledge in a continuum care facility. 
• Proficient      with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Solid      organizational skills including attention to detail and multi-tasking      skills.
• Ability      to read, write and speak English sufficient to perform job duties and to      interact and communicate with residents, families, and employees.

Preferred Skills:

o Infection Preventionist Training – CDC or APIC

o Illinois Certified Restorative Nurse

o Certification in Gerontological Nursing (RN-BC), Nurse Executive (NE-BC), or related specialization.

o Experience with electronic health records (EHR) systems and healthcare informatics.

o Advanced training in quality improvement methodologies, such as Lean Six Sigma, PDSA (Plan, Do, Study, Act), etc.

Working Conditions: This role involves regular office hours with flexibility to address urgent clinical or administrative issues. Occasional evening, weekend, or on-call availability may be required to oversee operations and respond to emergencies in both Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living units.