Reports to: Administrator & Director of Nursing

Department: Nursing

Description of Position: 

The primary purpose of your job is to plan, organize, develop, and direct all in-service educational programs throughout the facility in accordance with current applicable federal, state, and local standards, guidelines and regulations, and as many be directed by the administrator, to assure that the highest degree of quality resident care can be maintained at all times.

Delegation of Authority

As the Director of Staff Development, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Job Functions

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.

Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

• Plan, develop, evaluate, and coordinate educational and on-the-job training programs.
• Incorporate commercially produced instruction material and training aids into existing in-service programs as deemed necessary.
• Provide leadership in formulating the goals and objectives of the in-service educational programs of this facility.
• Develop, evaluate and control the quality of in-service educational programs in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Secure, develop and maintain records, reports, instructional manuals, reference materials, etc., pertinent to in-service educational programs.
• Perform administrative requirements such as completing necessary forms, reports, class attendance and subject records, etc.
• Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the administrator concerning in-service training programs.
• Assume the authority, responsibility and accountability of directing the in-service educational programs.
• Work with the facility’s consultants as necessary and implement recommended changes as required.
• Assist department directors in obtaining and scheduling of speakers to present in-service training programs.
• Ensure that in-service training classrooms or areas are properly prepared before training classes begin.
• Delegate authority, responsibility, and accountability to other personnel.
• Assist in standardizing the methods in which work will be accomplished.
• Assist the Quality Assessment and Assurance Coordinator in developing and implementing a quality assurance program for in-service training.
• Develop, direct and schedule refresher training, as necessary, for assigned staff and licensed professional personnel.
• Remain current on new developments by attending professional institutions, reading professional journals and attending professional seminars.
• Attend and participate in your professional associations activities and programs, etc., to assure that you keep abreast of current regulations and guidelines, as well as professional standards, and make recommendations on changes in policies and procedures to the administrator.
• Develop and participate in the planning, conducting, and scheduling of orientation programs that orient newly hired personnel to their position, the facility’s policies and procedures, resident rights and responsibilities, etc.
• Assist licensed nursing personnel (i.e., RNs, LVNs and CNAs) in obtaining in-service training to keep their license current in accordance with state law. Provide in-service training as necessary/required.
• Ensure that all personnel attend and participate in annual OSHA an CDC in-service training programs for hazard communication, TB management, and bloodborne pathogens standard.
• Assist in the development of the in-service training budget.
• Ensure that copies of lesson plans, instructor’s qualifications, etc., are filed in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures.

Committee Functions

• Serve on various committees of the facility as required by existing regulations and as appointed by the administrator.
• Represent the department at and participate in top level meetings
• Meet with department supervisors, on a regularly scheduled basis, and solicit advise concerning their training needs, and assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or the improvement of services.
• Implement recommendations from the Quality Assessment and AssuranceCommittee as they relate to the educational needs of the facility.

Personnel Functions

• Develop and direct orientation programs for all personnel, in accordance with our established policies and procedures.
• Conduct regular or special in-service training sessions for staff to ensure they remain current on new procedures, changes in policies, etc.
• Coordinate in-service activities and programs with all departments in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Prepare and maintain personnel records.
• Encourage personnel to get involved in planning programs, trying new ideas, etc., to enhance our educational in-service programs.
• Maintain a productive working relationship with the medical profession and other health related facilities and organizations.
• Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the department.
• Promote the morale of all personnel and maintain a spirit of cooperation.
• Assist in setting standards for department personnel.
• Conduct departmental performance evaluations in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures.
• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents.
• Ensure that individual employee training records are maintained and filed in the employee’s personnel record.
• Schedule in-service training programs according to the needs of each department.
• Post notices of in-service training classes in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures.
• Coordinate employee medical examinations and tuberculin screening for all employees.

Equipment and Supply Functions

• Direct the preparation, scheduling and selection of instructional material, equipment and training aids, to ensure that a modern, meaningful in-service program is provided. 
• Ensures that required serviceable equipment and knowledgeable operators are available to present special in-service material as directed.
• Recommend to the Administrator the equipment and supply needs of the department.

Resident Rights

• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information to assure resident rights are protected, including the right of refusal.
• Knock before entering a resident’s room.

Working Conditions

• Works in office area(s), training rooms, resident rooms, exam rooms, etc., as necessary. 
• Moves intermittently during working hours.
• May work flexible hours.
• Is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary.
• Is subject to call-back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).
• Attends and participates in continuing educational programs designed to keep you abreast of changes in your profession, as well as to maintain your license on a current status.
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses
• Position may require out-of-town travel.
• Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the work day, as well as to reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants.
• Communicates with department supervisors to determine departmental training needs.
• May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
• May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Qualifications for the Position

Education

• Must possess, as a minimum, a Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university.
• Most possess a DSD Certification

Experience

• Must have, as a minimum 1 year as a charge nurse in a long-term care facility 
• and 6 months experience as a DSD is desired.

Specific Requirements

• Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as a Nurse in the state.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language
• Must posses the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
• Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously wit other personnel.
• Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing training practices.
• Must possess the ability to plan and develop new programs.
• Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents and staff.
• Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Physical and Sensory Requirements (With or Without Restrictions)

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Must function independently, and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility which include a medical and physical examination. Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at time, hostile people within the facility.
• Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 40 pound to a minimum height of 4 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and /or carry such weight a minimum distance of 10 feet.
• Must be willing to perform tasks that may involve exposure to the resident’s blood/body fluids.
• May be necessary to assist tin the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.