Job Overview Summary:

Direct the day-to-day functions of the Nursing Unit in accordance with current federal, state and local standards governing long-term care facilities, and as may be directed by the Director or Assistant Director of Nursing Services, to ensure that the highest degree of quality care can be provided to the residents at all times.

Functions:

Administrative Functions

• Duties: To direct the day-to-day functions of the Nursing Unit, its programs and activities; participate in developing, maintaining and periodically updating written nursing policies, procedures, reference materials, manuals, objectives and philosophies; assist in developing and implementing methods for coordinating nursing services with other resident services; implement plans of action to correct deficiencies; complete medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charts, etc.; ensure that all nursing services personnel are performing their respective duties; participate in developing, implementing and maintaining a quality assurance program; assist in planning, developing, implementing and maintaining resident discharge procedures and plans; assist in developing and implementing a nursing services organization structure; participate in surveys and inspections by government agencies; and, make reports and recommendations to the Director of Nursing Services and Administrator concerning operations of the department. Coordinate all care delivered on a unit for twenty-four-hour period, seven days a week. Assure all new staff to unit receive appropriate orientation job as per job description. Assess all staff ability to perform their job tasks by resident care rounding, paperwork (e.g., flowsheet, nurses notes, etc.), staff evaluation process, etc.; provide in-service to nursing staff, as needed. Assure the appropriate transcription of physician orders (per policy) and provide follow through (e.g., call pharmacy for new medications, x-ray, etc.) Assure that the physician has been alerted to changes in resident’s condition, lab work, etc. and obtain orders as indicated. Assure appropriate initiation and completion of minimum data set and care planning process, audit of patient charts (progress notes). Responsible for completion of indicator log manuals. Responsible for the provision of CNA and Charge/Staff Nurse assignments for all three tours. (Assignment sheets to include resident care instructions, meals, and break assignments, special duty assignments, etc.) Is a member of the resident interdisciplinary care planning committee

Nursing Care Functions

• Duties: Inform personnel of new admissions, ensure rooms are ready, greet new admissions and escort to rooms; schedule daily rounds and monitor residents' treatment and medications to ensure residents are receiving proper care; review nurses' notes to ensure proper documentation is maintained relating to residents' treatment, medications and conditions; ensure proper recordkeeping by physicians; report problem areas to the Director of Nursing Services and assist in developing and implementing corrective actions; and, provide direct nursing care as necessary.
• Duties: Assist and participate in developing for each resident a preliminary and comprehensive assessment and written care plan that identifies the nursing and medical problems and/or needs of the resident and the goals to be accomplished for each problem and/or need identified; encourage residents and their families to participate in the development and review of care plans; ensure that all nursing services personnel are aware of the care plan and that care plans are used in providing daily nursing services to the resident; review nurses' notes and monitor residents to determine if the care plans are being followed and if each residents' needs are being met; and participate in assessing, reviewing and revising care plans as required.

Personnel Functions

• Duties: Assist in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, counseling, evaluating, disciplining and terminating nursing services personnel; document and coordinate personnel actions with Director of Nursing or Administrator; assist in scheduling department work hours; delegate administrative authority, responsibility and accountability to nursing services supervisory personnel as deemed necessary to perform assigned duties; ensure that all nursing services personnel have valid and current licenses and are performing duties in accordance with acceptable nursing standards; interpret the department's policies and procedures to personnel, complaints and grievances and ensure that all personnel are treated consistent with policies and applicable laws.

Staff Development Functions

• Duties: Participate in developing, planning, implementing, conducting and scheduling orientation, training and in-service educational activities for nursing services personnel; assist other departments with developing, implementing and coordinating training programs that relate to nursing services; maintain professional competence, as well as current licenses, through participation in continuing education programs, seminars and training programs; provide leadership and encourage nursing services supervisory personnel to attend and participate in outside training programs; and, assist in ensuring that all nursing services personnel attend and participate in Hazardous Communication and Universal Precautions training programs prior to reporting for work assignments.

Resident's Rights Functions

• Duties: Maintain resident confidentiality and privacy; treat residents with kindness, dignity and respect; know and comply with and ensure that all nursing services personnel know and comply with Resident's Rights rules; monitor nursing services to ensure that resident's needs and rights are met; and, review, promptly report to the Administrator and maintain written records of all resident complaints and grievances.

Committee Functions

• Duties: In the absence of the Director of Nursing Services and as directed, attend and participate in various committees and meetings of the facility; participate in the development, maintenance, implementation and updating of policies and procedures for the storage, administration and control of medications and supplies; and, evaluate and implement recommendations pertaining to nursing services.

Safety and Sanitation Functions

• Duties: Assist in developing, implementing and maintaining safety standards, written aseptic and isolation techniques, programs for monitoring communicable and/or infectious diseases among residents and personnel, and procedures for reporting hazardous conditions or equipment; ensure that nursing services personnel follow established infection control procedures when isolation precautions become necessary; ensure that nursing services personnel understand and follow departmental policies and procedures, Universal Precautions, established safety rules, and fire and disaster procedures; and, ensure cleanliness of nursing services work areas, stations, preparation rooms, treatment areas and resident care rooms.

Inventory Functions

• Duties: Recommend to the Director of Nursing Services and Administrator the equipment and supply needs of the Nursing Services Department; assist in developing and monitoring adequate and cost effective inventory control procedures; make periodic inspections of supplies and equipment to ensure that adequate levels are maintained and that equipment is available and working properly; develop and implement procedures to ensure that trained and authorized personnel operate nursing services equipment in a safe manner; and, assist in preparing and planning the Nursing Services Department's budget for equipment, supplies and labor and submit to the Director of Nursing Services and Administrator.

Qualifications:

• Must be a Registered Nurse of Licensed Practical Nurse in good standing and currently licensed by the state of in training to satisfactorily complete the requirements to become a Registered Nurse;
• Must show ability to read and write in a legible and understandable manner;
• Must speak and understand English;
• Previous experience in a hospital, long-term care facility, or other healthcare related facility;
• Must be knowledgeable of general, rehabilitative and restorative nursing and medical practices and procedures and laws, regulations and guidelines governing long-term care;
• Positive attitude toward the elderly.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Physical and Sensory Requirements (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices): Ability to read and write in English, ability to communicate with residents, families, personnel, and support agencies and ability to remain calm under stress. E 1 2 3 4 5 6
• Physical and Sensory Requirements (With or Without the Aid of mechanical Devices): Bending, lifting, grasping, fine hand coordination, ability to communicate with residents and personnel, ability to distinguish smells, tastes and temperatures, ability to head and respond to pages ability to read and write in English and ability to remain calm under stress. E 1 2 4 5 6
• Physical and Sensory Requirements (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices): Walking, grasping, fine hand coordination, ability to read and write and ability to distinguish smells.

Required Responsibilities:

Successful demonstration of work standards, quality work product, productivity, and job knowledge are standard expectations for all company employees.

Core Competencies:

• Caring/Compassion
• Accountability
• Dependability
• Adaptability/Flexibility
• Effective Communication
• Confidentiality
• Team Player
• Dedication