JOB SUMMARY

Develop and maintain the nursing-service objectives, standards of nursing practice, nursing policy and procedures manuals, written job descriptions for each level of nursing personnel; make daily rounds, coordinate nursing services with other resident services; staff the recommended number and levels of nursing personnel to be employed; and staff development. Participate in planning, budgeting, and the development and implementation of resident-care policies; plan and conduct orientation programs for personnel; plan and conduct scheduled in- service training for all direct resident-care personnel; participate in medical reviews as dictated by residents’ levels of care.

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

The following job responsibilities will comply with the ADA and any/all applicable state and federal laws. Duties and responsibilities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

• Ensure that nursing personnel provide treatments, medications, rehabilitative nursing care, and activities of daily living as stated in care plans to make certain optimum comfort and care is provided.
• Conduct regularly scheduled conferences with resident activities director, social service director, dietary service supervisor, and other professionals to review and update resident assessment, M.D.S., and comprehensive care plan and other services needed by residents.
• Assure that visiting physicians are accompanied by licensed personnel and physician’s orders are carried out properly.
• Conduct conferences with residents and/or family members as necessary.
• Refer residents and family members to social services and/or proper community agencies if necessary.
• Conduct daily rounds of residents in order to update knowledge or residents’ physical and emotional conditions, and assure that staff is providing proper and adequate care.
• Conduct regular conferences with nursing staff to explain resident behavior and significant changes.
• Oversee and review controlled substances to assure proper count and documentation.
• Complete chart audits to assure proper charting and documentation of care.
• Assure facility is receiving correct payment for level of care administered and for services and supplies.
• Attend Quality Assessment and Assurance Committee meetings and assist in maintaining quality assurance data and preparing reports.
• Participate on all other committees as needed.
• Assure nursing department staff know lines of authority of the organizational chart.
• Oversee, develop, and maintain nursing service goals and objectives, standards of nursing practice, and content of nursing policy and procedure manuals.
• Provide required staff, in accordance with federal, state, and local laws, to assure uninterrupted service to residents.
• Establish and maintain a procedure to ensure licensed personnel and medication aids have a current and valid license as required by state.
• Oversee training for all new nursing staff.
• Periodically evaluate work of each employee in nursing department and discuss each evaluation with respective employee.
• Based upon employees’ merits, award promotions when vacancies or new positions occur, and grant pay increases as merited by employees.
• Evaluate, plan, and organize nursing care according to established policies.
• Coordinate admissions, room assignments, and discharges of residents.
• Supervise nursing activities and promote improvement in nursing care.
• Coordinate nursing service with other departments.
• Maintain accurate reporting and recording according to policies and procedures set forth, and evaluate and make recommendation for improvements for the welfare of residents.
• Maintain a comfortable and pleasant environment and promote elimination of hazards.
• Oversee infection control program of the facility; Establish a TB management for employees.
• Make rounds with physicians as necessary.
• Work with IDPH representatives and participate in facility surveys.
• Receive reports from charge nurses on shifts and work closely with them to ensure maximum total care.
• Where applicable, assure a registered nurse screens residents for goal-directed therapy soon after admission or re-admission according to procedure.
• Assign skilled personnel according to residents’ needs.
• Prepare and post work schedule at least two weeks in advance
• Assure that personnel are familiar with fire drill regulations, procedures, and the disaster plan.
• Assist in interpreting the goals and objectives of the facility to nursing service personnel.
• Verify time worked as reported on personnel time cards.
• Promote effective working relationships with the administrator, medical staff, personnel, volunteers and agencies affiliated with the facility.
• Delegate responsibility and authority.
• Be accountable for nursing compliance, excellence, and delivery of resident-care services in adherence with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Manage the nursing staff through appropriate hiring, orientation, in-service training, evaluation, assignment, dismissal, and delegation of duties.
• Review and ensure proper resident charting and procedure documentation.
• Develop and implement resident care plans in coordination with physician, medical director, consultants, staff, and therapist.
• Ensure that adequate and proper equipment and supplies are available to staff.
• Be responsible for direct handling of emergency situations.
• Ensure operation of the nursing department is within established budget.
• Accept on-call duties and responsibilities.
• Participates in in-service program of the facility.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Office, nursing stations, drug room, resident rooms, and all other areas in the facility and on the property; visits to other health-care facilities and offices may be necessary; and attend seminars and meetings.
• Occasional exposure to chemical compounds of medication and treatments.
• Occasional exposure to blood/body fluids as required for invasive treatments and procedures.
• Occasional exposure to loud and unpleasant noises due to unpredictable behaviors of residents.
• Occasional exposure to high humidity due to resident’s options to control their environment.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Hold a current, unencumbered license in the State of IL as a Registered Nurse; Registered with professional Board or Nurse Examiners in this state.
• Must be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• Required attendance of in-services, online training, and any other education required to maintain license.
• At least two full years of nursing experience, preferably in a geriatric care setting, nursing home or other related health care facility with proven leadership and management skills.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Working knowledge of services, rehabilitation, therapy, administration, supervision, resident care, etc.
• Comprehensive knowledge of general nursing theory and practice with knowledge of principles and methods involved in instruction of nursing and auxiliary personnel
• Ability to assess resident’s needs; Knowledge and application of techniques and methods of resident care; familiarity with Assisted Living / Supportive Living policies, regulations and procedures
• Awareness of special diets and their observance; use of medical and nursing equipment; and knowledge of medications and their effects.
• Knowledge of application principles of personnel administration in assigning, supervising, and evaluating activities of staff
• Enjoy working with older people, have a caring attitude and sincere interest in others; alert to attitudes and feelings of residents.
• Maintain a good working relationship with staff, residents, families, and others; identify problems and make decisions; possess leadership skills, compassion, understanding, competence, and be a visionary.
• Computer literacy is a must.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Occasionally transfers up to 75 pounds with assistance while lifting, positioning, and transferring residents.
• Pushes/pulls residents weighing 75-250 pounds in wheel chairs.
• Lifts and carries light objects such as resident charts without assistance.
• Stands and walks up to 75% of shift.
• Stoops, bends and squats as required to reach lower drawers in carts and files.
• Possess necessary skills to continuously comprehend and communicate with residents and staff.
• Concentrate on moderate and/or fine detail with frequent interruptions necessary to perform a variety of functions.
• Remember multiple messages, information and assignments from 8 hours to long periods of time given to self and others.
• Possess good eye-hand coordination.
• Ability to read and write in English.
• Ability to remain calm under stress.