Director of Nurses (DON)

Director of Nurses (DON) 1. A person designated, in writing, by the Governing Body to supervise all aspects of patient care, all activities of professional staff and allied health personnel, and responsible for compliance with regulatory requirements. The DON or alternate, shall be on site or immediately available to be on site, at all times during operating hours. If the DON is unavailable he/she shall designate a Registered Nurse to be responsible during his/her absence. 2. NOTE: The Director of Nurses is prohibited from simultaneous concurrent employment with any entity or any other licensed health care entity, unless such licensed healthcare agency is occupying the same physical office space as the hospice. 3. Qualifications – A registered nurse who is currently licensed to practice in the State of Mississippi. 4. With at least three years experience as a registered nurse. One of these years shall consist of full-time experience in: a. Providing direct patient care in a hospice, home health, or oncology setting; or b. The management of patient care staff in an acute care setting, hospice or home health; and c. Be a full time employee of only the hospice agency. 5. Responsibilities – The DON shall supervise all patient care activities to assure compliance with current standards of accepted nursing and medical practice including, but not limited to, the following: a. The POC; b. Implement personnel and employment policies to assure that only qualified personnel are hired. verify licensure and/or certification (as required by law) prior to employment and annually thereafter; c. maintain records to support competency of all allied health personnel; d. Implement hospice policies and procedures that establish and support quality patient care, cost control, and mechanisms for disciplinary action for infractions; e. Ensure clinical staff compliance with the employee health program; and f. Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws to promote the health and safety of employees, patients and the community, using the following non- exclusive methods: i. Resolve problems; ii. Perform complaint investigations; iii. Refer impaired personnel to proper authorities; iv. Ensure appropriate orientation and in-service training to employees; v. Ensure the development and implementation of an orientation program for new direct health care personnel; vi. Ensure the completion of timely annual performance evaluations of health care personnel or designate other supervisory personnel to perform such evaluations; vii. Ensure participation in regularly scheduled appropriate continuing education for all health professionals, home health aides and homemakers; viii. Ensure that the care provided by the health care personnel promotes effective hospice services and the safety of the patient; and ix. Ensure that the hospice policies are enforced.