Home Health Director of Nursing (DON)

Director of Nursing Reports To: Director of Patient Care Services

Job Description Summary

A Director of Nursing, or Nursing Director oversees and is responsible for ensuring that patient care is coordinated and managed appropriately. A Director of Nursing, or Nursing Director is responsible for ensuring that care and services are delivered appropriately as well as the supervision of clinical personnel.

A Director of Nursing, or Nursing Director oversees the nursing staff and overall nursing operations of the home health. Their duties include evaluating and directing all nursing employees, establishing goals for the nursing department and creating and enforcing compliant healthcare policies.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities

Receives case referrals. Reviews available patient information related to case, including disciplines required, to determine home care needs. Assigns appropriate clinicians to case.

Reviews and evaluates each case by reviewing the services provided by clinicians, conferences, record review, discussed and verifies impressions, instructs and guides clinicians to promote more effective performance and delivery of quality home care services, and is available at all times during operating hours to assist clinicians as appropriate.

• Reviews patient’s clinical diagnosis, medications, procedures and clinical course.
• Assists clinicians in establishing immediate and long-term therapeutic goals, in setting priorities, and in developing plan of care.
• Attends case conference meetings with organization personnel to facilitate coordination of care.

Conducts quarterly record reviews and communicates findings and recommendations to Director of Patient Care Services and appropriate organization personnel.

Assists in the screening and interviewing process of new organization personnel and makes recommendations for employment of individuals. Assists in the orientation of new organization personnel.

Assists Director of Patient Care Services in the planning, implementation and evaluation of in-service and continuing education programs.

Assists in the formulation, revision, implementation, and evaluation of policies and procedures, as well as strategic goals and objectives.

• Complies with accepted professional standards and principles.
• Participates in public relation and community activities that promote the Organization’s role as an effective member of the health care delivery system.
• Promotes customer service orientation to all organization personnel.
• Performs other duties and activities as delegated by the Director of Patient Care Services.

The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job related tasks other than those stated in this description.

Position Qualifications

1. Registered nurse with current licensure to practice professional nursing in the state.

3. Two years management or supervisory experience within the past five years in a home health agency, primary care clinic, or health facility, unless the individual has been previously approved for such employment by a program flexibility issued for the individual’s current position at the home health agency prior to April 1, 1995.

4. Knowledge and expertise in clinical decision-making and Quality Management review and evaluation.

5. Complies with accepted professional standards and practice.

6. Complies and maintains current CPR certification

7. Demonstrates excellent observation, verbal and written communication skills.