Director of Nurses Requirements for the State of Maine
Chapter 9 -
Resident Care Staffing
9.A. Minimum
Nursing Staff Requirements
The following
minimum nursing staff requirements shall
be met:
9.A.1. Director of
Nursing
a. In each
licensed nursing facility there shall be
a Registered Professional Nurse employed
full-time who shall be responsible for
the direction of all nursing services
delivered in the facility.
b. The Director of
Nursing must be qualified by education,
training and experience in both
Gerontology and nursing administration.
c. If the Director
of Nursing is functioning as a Temporary
Administrator, a nurse shall be
appointed to act as the Director of
Nursing during that period of time.
d. Lines of
responsibility shall be clearly
established in writing and shall be made
known to all nursing staff and other
appropriate personnel.
9.A.2. Director of
Nursing - Responsibilities
The Director of
Nursing shall be responsible and
accountable to the Administrator for:
a. Assuring the
delivery of all required services to
residents;
b. Developing and
maintaining nursing service objectives,
current standards of nursing practice,
nursing policy and procedure and
manuals, and written job descriptions
for each level of personnel;
c. Coordination of
nursing services with other resident
services;
d. Establishment
of the means of assessing the needs of
residents and staffing to meet those
needs on all shifts;
e. Assuring the
delivery of orientation programs and
staff development;
f. Participating
in the selection of prospective
residents in terms of nursing service
they need and nursing competencies
available;
g. Assuring that a comprehensive assessment
and plan of care is established for each resident, and that
his/her plan is reviewed and modified and implemented as is
necessary;
h. Assuring the evaluation of the
performance for all nursing personnel at regular intervals and
making recommendations to the administrator;
i. Recommending action when needed to
control noise, maintain, repair or replace equipment; ensuring
cleanliness and safety measures; providing proper allocation and
utilization of space and equipment;
j. Recommending to the administrator the
number and levels of nursing personnel, supplies and equipment
for safe resident care;
k. Establishing priorities for budget
items that are necessary to provide services;
l. Participating in the Quality Assurance
Committee and other committees as necessary.
9.A.3. Licensed Staff Coverage
b. Licensed nurse coverage shall be
provided according to the needs of the residents as determined
by their levels of care. The following minimum coverage shall be
met:
1. Day Shift
a. In each facility there shall be a
licensed nurse on duty seven (7) days a week.
b. Each facility must designate a
Registered Professional Nurse or a Licensed Practical Nurse as
the charge nurse. In facilities with twenty (20) beds or less,
the Director of Nursing may also be the charge nurse.
c. In facilities larger than twenty (20)
beds, in addition to the Director of Nursing, there shall also
be another licensed nurse on duty. |
