Functions:

Administrative Functions:

• Assists the DON in the day-to-day functions of the nursing activities in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long-term care facility
• Ensures that nursing policies and procedures are followed by nursing department staff, and that the procedures reflect the day-to-day care given to the residents
• Assists in developing methods of coordinating of nursing services with other resident care services to insure the continuity of the resident’s total regimen of care
• Assists the MDS Coordinator in the planning for completion of all nursing portions of the MDS
• Participates in inspections (surveys) made by authorized government agencies
• Attends and participates in various committee meetings in the facility and prepares written and oral reports as required and directed by the DON
• Assists in the selection of residents for admission to the facility, provides the Executive Director within formation relative to the nursing needs of the residents and the nursing departments ability to meet those needs
• Meets with residents and/or family members as necessary. Reviews and investigates any areas of concern and submits an oral/written report to the Director of Nursing
• Functions in the role of supervisor, medication nurse, treatment nurse, as assigned
• Makes daily rounds of the unit(s) to ensure that all nursing department personnel are performing their work assignments in accordance with acceptable nursing standards
• Functions in the role of Director of Nursing in his/her absence
• Any other duties as deemed necessary by the Director of Nursing
• Develops and directs orientation programs for all personnel in accordance with federal, state and facility policies and procedures
• Plans, develops, directs, evaluates, coordinates and provides educational activities for the facility
• Conducts mandatory and additional in-service training sessions for the staff to ensure that they remain current on new procedures, changes in policies, and meet regulatory requirements from DPH
• Maintains a calendar of educational programs and makes it available to staff in all departments. Ensures that all mandatory in-services are scheduled on an annual basis
• Maintains files of in-service education attended by all employees, written content of educational programs provided, and coordinates the education files for the staff
• Ensures that all nursing personnel have valid and current licenses/certificates
• Works in collaboration with all Department Heads to monitor compliance with attendance at mandatory in-service education
• Ensures that a sufficient amount of education programs are provided to all CNA’s to meet the mandated 12 hours of annual education required for licensure
• Any other duties deemed necessary by the Director of Nurses

Personnel Functions:

• Cooperates with interdepartmental personnel, as well as other departments within the facility to assure that services are properly maintained to meet the needs of the residents
• Ensures that a sufficient number of licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants are available utilizing established staffing patterns to ensure that quality care is maintained
• Responsible for annual evaluations of nursing personnel. Prepares and delivers evaluations in a timely manner
• Ensures that disciplinary action is administered fairly and without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or marital status
• Meets with supervisors and staff on a regularly scheduled basis to provide information, assists in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or improvement of services

Staff Development:

• Assists and participates in departmental studies and quality projects as required
• Attends department meetings as scheduled to assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or improvement of services
• Participates in the orientation of new staff members to the facility
• Attends and participates in scheduled training and educational classes
• Completes all Mandatory In-Service Programs
• Provides leadership training to supervisors and charge nurses as well as ancillary departments

Safety and Infection Control

• Follows established protocol during fire drills and disaster training
• Follows established universal precautions and infection control policies and procedures when performing daily tasks
• Participates in the development, planning, and scheduling of educational programs to ensure a well-educated and competent nursing staff
• Monitors nursing department personnel to ensure that they are following established safety regulations and infection control guidelines
• Ensures that work areas and resident care areas are maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner
• Participates in the development, implementation, and maintenance of the procedure for reporting hazardous conditions or equipment

Residents Rights

• Maintains confidentiality of all pertinent resident care information
• Knowledge of facility and state mandatory reporting practices regarding any suspected cases of abuse, mistreatment, or neglect
• Monitors nursing care and ensures that all residents are treated fairly with kindness, dignity, and respect
• Reviews complains/grievances made by the resident or the responsible party, investigates and makes an oral/written report to the Director of Nurses, what action(s) were taken to resolve the complaint or grievance

Personnel Functions

• Meets with department heads and supervisors on a regularly scheduled basis and solicits advice and recommendations concerning their training needs, to assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or improvement of services
• Cooperates with interdepartmental personnel, as well as other departments within the facility to ensure that services are properly maintained to meet the needs of the residents
• Functions in the role of supervisor, staff nurse or provides direct care when necessary to meet the needs of the residents in the facility

Staff Development

• Assists and participates in departmental studies and quality projects as required
• Attends department meetings as scheduled to assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or improvement of services
• Attends and participates in scheduled training and educational classes
• Completes all Mandatory In-Service Programs
• Oversees the orientation of new staff members to the facility, determines the competency of new employees, ensures that appropriate education and mentoring is in place for new staff
• Identifies staff development needs of employees and ensures employees attend mandatory in-services Safety and Infection Control
• Follows established protocol during fire drills and disaster training
• Follows established universal precautions and infection control policies and procedures when performing daily tasks
• Monitors staff to ensure that established safety regulations and infection control practices are followed in caring for residents, in their own personal safety and in the use of equipment and supplies

Qualifications:

A minimum of a high school education or high school equivalency diploma. (Required). Prior experience in the long-term care environment (Preferred).

Knowledge and Skills:

• Customer Service Oriented
• Ability to be patient while interacting with challenged or difficult residents
• Knowledge of activity programs developed to engage adult and geriatric residents
• Skill in conducting arts & crafts, music, games and associated activities
• Demonstrates organizational and critical thinking skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently, problem solve and make decisions as necessary
• Ability to create a resident-centered environment
• Knowledge of policies and procedures and state and federal regulations

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