Director of Nursing- Smyrna, GA

Position Title: Director of Nursing

Reports To: Program Director (or equivalent)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Summary

Working collaboratively within a rehabilitation team model, the Director of Nursing (DON) acts as a director of professional services and addresses client-specific medical, behavioral, and functional needs based on evidence-based practices.

The DON provides clinical leadership and facilitates nursing services to promote health and medical stability for homecare clients. This position requires attention to the needs of both clients and teams to ensure high-quality care is achieved.

Essential Duties & Functions

• Provides medical oversight, consultation, and support to ensure client medical issues are addressed in a timely manner.
• Completes routine and acute client assessments to maintain or restore overall health and wellness.
• Utilizes diagnostics and consultation to determine etiology and plan of care.
• Coordinates nursing care activities with the team to achieve treatment goals.
• Participates in and/or provides necessary information for team meetings to establish goals for field staff.
• Maintain a high level of flexibility and strategic prioritization to prevent disruptions in service.
• Monitors client progress and revises treatment plans as necessary, particularly regarding medical stability.
• Uphold customer care ethics, ensuring professionalism, respect, and responsiveness at all levels of internal and external interaction.
• Teaches and certifies staff through Certified Medication Assistance classes.
• Serves as an educational resource to the client, family, staff, and provider team.
• Acts as a consultant to interdisciplinary health care team members.
• Participates in orientation and staff training regarding health-related issues.
• Acts as a preceptor and mentor to support the development of nurses and other health care providers.
• Participates in the rotating on-call group to provide clinical guidance and emergency oversight outside of standard business hours.
• Assists in admission and discharge planning as needed, including recommending services and educating caregivers.
• Directs the practice of LPNs and other nursing staff.
• Ensures completion of all medical documentation, including progress notes and changes to records.
• Complies with professional standards of treatment, licensure, and state regulations by conducting routine audits of clinical records
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate clinical staff fostering a culture of professional fulfillment and high-quality care.
• Ensure clinical staff are trained on protocols, emergency procedures, and communication guidelines, especially for on-call and urgent care transitions.  Provide guidance and support for staff concerns or operational challenges relayed via the staffing team.

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and five (5) years of experience in an advanced practice or clinical leadership role is required. Also required Active Registered Nurse (RN) License
• Experience in the rehabilitation of chronically or catastrophically ill or injured individuals (specifically brain and spinal cord injury) is preferred.
• Possession of a valid driver's license, insurance, and an acceptable driving record must be maintained at all times.
• Competence in analysis, problem-solving, decision-making related to medical nursing, writing, planning, organization and documentation, as well as time management skills are required.
• The ability to communicate effectively with families, professionals, clients, and co-workers is necessary.
• Deep understanding of homecare regulations and state licensing requirements. Physical Requirements & Working Conditions
• Regularly required to communicate, both orally and in writing; occasionally required to speak on the telephone for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally required to sit; regularly required to bend, stoop, and kneel; frequently required to stand and walk.
• Regularly required to use hands to type, grasp, handle, or feel; reach, push or pull with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• Regularly required to demonstrate a high degree of attention to details, quality standards and accuracy.
• Must have the ability to handle and organize multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Must have the ability to travel and/or operate a vehicle for up to 20% of the time spent working in this position.
• Must have the ability to occasionally lift, push, or pull 50 lbs. or more.
• Must be free from a medical condition, including drug or alcohol addiction, which would limit direct care staff persons from providing necessary personal care services with reasonable skill and safety.
• Collage has determined that all staff are at risk for exposure to potentially infectious materials based on the duties entailed in working with clients or in an office setting. This position has been classified as a role within the organization that may incur occasional occupational exposure based on the job’s duties and responsibilities.