JOB SUMMARY:

To 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.

Minimum Qualifications:

Must be a Registered Nurse (RN) in good standing and currently licensed by the State;
Must be at least 18 years of age;
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.

Other Functions and Responsibilities

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 polices and procedures for the storage, administration and control of medications and supplies; and, evaluate and implement recommendations pertaining to nursing services.
Ability to communicate with personnel and ability to read and write in English.
Assist in developing, implementing and maintaining safety standards, 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, Standard 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.
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.
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.

Essential Job Functions

Administrative Functions

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.
Responsible for 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., flow sheet, 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

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.

Personnel Functions

Assist in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, counseling, evaluating, disciplining and terminating nursing services personnel; document and coordinate personnel actions with the Personnel Manager 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, residents, families, visitors and government agencies as necessary.
Review personnel complaints and grievances and ensure that all personnel are treated consistent with policies and applicable laws.

Staff Development Functions

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.
Assist in ensuring that all nursing services personnel attend and participate in Hazardous Communication and Standard Precautions training programs prior to reporting for work assignments.

Infection Control (or Preventionist) Functions (if designated as Infection Preventionist or as assigned)

Implement and review the facility's infection prevention program
Utilization of existing standards and guidelines related to infection control of applicable professional organizations and regulatory agencies
Collect and analyze data related to infections and antibiotic usage, monitoring for trends and increasing resistance
Dissemination of infection prevention information, including surveillance data and policy decisions
Direction, management and operation of the infection prevention program, including the education of facility staff and independent practitioners
Consult with county and state health departments, as needed
Resource for facility staff regarding infection prevention issues, including the management of infectious residents and other infection prevention concerns
Monitor and track employee illness to identify trends and determine necessary interventions and/or work restrictions

Residents' Rights

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.
Review, promptly report to the Administrator and maintain written records of all resident complaints and grievances.

Safety

Comply with all Company safety policies, regulations and requirements regarding fire and life safety.
Comply with all Company safety policies regulations and requirements involving employee safety and patient safety. This includes but is not limited to: a zero tolerance for harassment and violence; following infection control procedures; following safe patient handling as required with your specific job position.
May be required to assist in the evacuation of patients during emergency situations.
Meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility.

Residents' Rights and Positive Relationships

Understand, comply with and promote all rules and regulations regarding residents' rights.
Promote positive relationships with residents, visitors, and regulators, to include presenting a professional appearance.

Other Functions and Responsibilities

Must adhere to Code of Conduct and Business Ethics policy, including documentation and reporting responsibilities.
Participate in Quality Improvement activities as assigned.
Other duties as assigned or needed.
Ability to understand and apply training from in-service education and ability to instruct personnel during training education and staff meetings.

This position regularly requires long hours and frequent weekend work.
This is a position in a health care facility open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Rotating shifts as well as holiday and working during inclement weather may be required.

Physical and Sensory Requirements (With or Without Aid of Mechanical Devices):

This position is very active and requires:

walking, standing, reaching, bending, crouching, grasping, pushing, pulling, and lifting.
The ability to work at a rapid pace for an entire shift.
The employee must frequently lift or move objects and patients weighing up to 40 pounds. Following the patient care plan and using a variety of equipment, the employee may frequently move, reposition and transfer patients of varying weights up to 300 lbs.
Must have finger and hand dexterity sufficient to type, handle and manipulate instruments and operate departmental equipment.
Have a working understanding of English: ability to read and write; ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions; ability to verbally communicate with residents and others; ability to hear and respond to pages.
Ability to distinguish smells, tastes and temperatures.
Ability to remain calm in emergency situations and when handling multiple tasks.