Big Meadows • Frontier Hollow • Lyndon Play and Learn Center • Lyndon Progress Center • Pinnacle Place • S.T.R.I.V.E. • Winning Wheels.

The primary purpose of your job position is to plan, organize, develop and direct the overall operation of our Nursing Services Department in accordance with current federal, state and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern our facility, and as may be directed by the Administrator and the Medical Director, to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY

As the Director of Nursing Services, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties. In the absence of the Medical Director, you are charged with carrying out the resident care policies established by this facility.

JOB FUNCTIONS

Every effort has been made to make your job description as complete as possible. 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 a logical assignment to the position.

RISK EXPOSURE CATEGORIES

1 = Tasks may involve exposure to blood/body fluids.
2 = Tasks do not involve contact with blood/body fluids but could result in performing a Category I task.
3 = Tasks do not involve any risk of exposure to blood/body fluids.

ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS:

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, and direct the Nursing Services Department, as well as its program and activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations and guidelines that govern the long-term care facility. 3
• Develop, maintain, and periodically update written policies and procedures that govern the day-to-day functions of the Nursing Services Department. 3
• Develop, maintain, and periodically update the Nursing Service Procedures Manual, and nursing service objectives and philosophies. 3 Assist the Quality Assessment & Assurance Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies. 3
• Develop methods for coordination of nursing services with other resident services to ensure the continuity of the residents total regimen of care. 3
• Develop, maintain, and periodically update written job descriptions for each level of nursing personnel. 3
• Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc., as necessary. 3
• Maintain a reference library of written nursing material (i.e. PDRs, Federal and State Regulations, etc.) that will assist the nursing service department in meeting the day-to-day needs of the resident. 3
• Develop, implement, and maintain an ongoing quality assurance program for the nursing service department. 2
• Assist the Administrator and Discharge Planning Coordinator in developing, implementing, and periodically updating the written procedures for the Discharge Planning Program. 3
• Assist the Discharge Planning Coordinator in planning the nursing services portion of the resident's discharge plan. 2
• Participate in surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies. 2
• Develop and implement a nursing service organization structure. 3
• Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the Administrator, as necessary/required, concerning the operation of the Nursing Services Department. 3

COMMITTEE FUNCTIONS:

• Serve on, participate in, and attend various committees of the facility. (i.e., Infection Control, Policy Advisory, Pharmaceutical, Budget, Quality Assessment and Assurance, etc.,) as required and as appointed by the Administrator. 2
• Provide written and/or oral reports of the nursing service programs and activities as required, or as may be directed by such committees). 3
• Assist the Pharmacy Committee in developing, maintaining, implementing, and periodically updating written policies and procedures for the administration, storage, and control of medications and supplies. 2
• Schedule, attend, and participate in developing the agenda for Care Plan committee meetings as necessary. 3
• Participate in regularly scheduled reviews of the Discharge Plans. 3
• Evaluate and implement recommendations from established committees as they pertain to nursing services. 2

PERSONNEL FUNCTIONS:

• Determine the staffing needs of the Nursing Services Department necessary to meet the total nursing needs of the residents. 3
• Recommend the number and level of nursing personnel to be employed. 3
• Assist the Administrator in the recruitment and selection of nursing service personnel. 3
• Assign a sufficient number of licensed practical and/or registered nurses to ensure that quality care is maintained. 3
• Assign a sufficient number of nursing assistants for each tour, of duty to ensure that routine nursing care is provided to meet the daily nursing care needs of each resident. 3
• Develop work assignments and schedule duty hours, and/or assist nursing supervisory staff in completing and performing such tasks. 3
• Delegate to nursing service supervisory personnel the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary to perform their assigned duties. 3
• Develop, maintain, and periodically update the written procedure for ensuring that professional nursing personnel, including private duty nurses, have valid and current licenses as required by this State. 3
• Make daily rounds of the Nursing Services Department to ensure that all nursing service personnel are performing their work assignments in accordance with acceptable nursing standards. 2
• Monitor absenteeism to ensure that an adequate number of nursing care personnel are on duty at all times. 3
• Review complaints and grievances made or filed by department personnels.
• Make appropriate reports to the Administrator as required or as may be necessary, including departmental performance evaluations. 3
• Ensure that disciplinary action is administered fairly and without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, religion, handicap, or marital status. 3

NURSING CARE FUNCTIONS:

• Participate in the interviewing and selection of residents for admission to the facility, including the MI/MR pre-annual screenings. 2
• Provide the Administrator with information relative to the nursing needs of the resident and the nursing services department's ability to meet those needs. 3
• Inform nursing personnel of new admissions, their expected time of arrival, room assignment, etc. 3
• Ensure that rooms are ready for new admissions. 3
• Greet newly admitted residents upon admission. Escort to room as necessary. 2
• Review nurses' notes to ensure that they are informative and descriptive of the nursing care being provided and that they reflect the resident's response to the care. 3
• Make rounds with physicians as necessary. 2
• Encourage attending physicians to record and sign progress notes, physicians' orders, etc., on a timely basis and in accordance with current regulations. 3
• Schedule daily rounds to observe residents and to determine if nursing needs are being met. 2
• Monitor medication passes and treatment schedules to assure that medications are being administered as ordered and that treatments are provided as scheduled. 2
• Provide direct nursing care as necessary. 1

STAFF DEVELOPMENT:

• Develop and participate in the planning, conducting, and scheduling of timely in-service training classes that provide instructions on "how to do the job", and ensures a well-educated nursing services department. 2
• Develop, implement, and maintain an effective orientation that orients the new employee to the facility, its policies and procedures, and to his/his job position and duties. 2
• Provide leadership training that includes the administrative and supervisory principles essential for your Charge/Staff Nurses. 3
• Encourage the nursing supervisory staff to attend and participate in outside training programs. Schedule times as appropriate. 3
• Assist support services in developing, implementing, and conducting inservice training programs that relate to the Nursing Services Department. 3
• Attend and participate 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. 3

SAFETY AND SANITATION:

• Assist in developing safety standards for the Nursing Department. 2
• Monitor nursing service personnel to assure that they are following established safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies. 2
• Ensure that your assigned work areas (i.e. nurses' stations, medicine carts, etc.,) are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner. 2
• Ensure that all resident care rooms, treatment areas, etc., are maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary manner. 2
• Ensure that all nursing service personnel follow established policies and procedures, including appropriate dress codes. 2
• Ensure that nursing service personnel participate in all fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner. 2
• Assist the Infection Control Committee in the development, implementation, and revising of written aseptic and isolation techniques. 2
• Develop, implement and maintain a program for monitoring communicable and/or infectious diseases among the residents and personnel. 2
• Ensure that nursing service personnel follow established infection control procedures when isolation precautions become necessary. 2
• Develop, implement, and maintain a procedure for reporting hazardous conditions or equipment. 2

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES:

• Recommend to the Administrator the equipment and supply needs of your unit. 3
• Assure that a stock level of medications, medical supplies, equipment, etc., is maintained on your premises at all times to adequately meet the needs of the resident.3
• Assist Maintenance in developing a preventive program for maintaining the nursing department's equipment and supplies in a safe and operable manner. 3
• Develop and implement procedures for the safe operation of all nursing service equipment. 2
• Ensure that only trained and authorized personnel operate your department's equipment. 3.
• Ensure that all personnel operate nursing service equipment in a safe manner. 3
• Develop and implement procedures that ensure nursing service supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste. 3

CARE PLAN AND ASSESSMENT FUNCTIONS:

• Develop preliminary and comprehensive assessments of the nursing needs of each resident. 3
• Develop a written plan of care (preliminary and comprehensive) for each resident that identifies the problems/needs of the resident, indicates the care to be given, goals to be accomplished, and which professional service is responsible for each element of care. 3
• Insofar as practical, encourage the resident to participate in the development and review of his/her plan of care. 3
• Assist in the scheduling of care plans and assessments to be presented and discussed at each committee meeting. 3
• Ensure that all personnel involved in providing care to the resident is aware of the care plan and that care plans are used in administering daily care to the resident. 3
• Review nurses notes to determine if the care plan is being followed. 3
• Review and revise care plans and assessments as necessary, but at least quarterly. 3
• Develop and maintain a good rapport with all services involved with the care plan to ensure that a team effort is achieved in developing a comprehensive plan of care. 3

BUDGET AND PLANNING FUNCTIONS:

Prepare and plan the Nursing services Department's budget and submit to the Administrator for his/her review, recommendations, and/or approval.3 Keep abreast of economic conditions/situations, and recommend to the Administrator adjustments in nursing services that ensure the continued ability to provide quality to provide quality care. 3 Recommend to the Administrator the equipment needs of the Nursing Services Department. 3

RESIDENT RIGHTS:

• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information. 3
• Monitor nursing care to assure that all residents are treated fairly, and with kindness, dignity, and respect. 2
• Ensure that all nursing-care is provided in privacy and that nursing service personnel knock before entering the resident's room. 3
• Ensure that all nursing service personnel are knowledgeable of the residents' rights and responsibilities. 3
• Review complaints and grievances made by the resident and make, a written/oral report to the Administrator indicating what action(s) were taken to resolve the complaint or grievance. 3
• Maintain a written record of the resident's complaints and/or grievances that indicates the action taken to resolve the complaint and the current status of the complaint. 3
• Assure that appropriate notices are given to residents before their room or roommate is changed. 3

MISCELLANEOUS:

Assure that all nurse aides are enrolled or have graduated from an approved training program. 3 Assist the Infection Control Coordinator in identifying, evaluating, and classifying routine and job-related functions to ensure that tasks in which potential exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identified and recorded. 3 Assure that all personnel performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood/body fluids participate in an inservice training program prior to performing such tasks. 3 Assist the Administrator in developing and revising the Nurses' Aide Training curriculum used by the facility. Submit to state agency for approval as required. 3

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Works in office area(s) as well as throughout the nursing service area (i.e., drug rooms, nurses' stations, resident rooms, etc.).
• Sits, stands, bends, lifts and moves intermittently during working hours.
• Is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.
• Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors.
• Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department supervisors.
• Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary.
• Is involved in community/civic health matters/projects as appropriate.
• Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.
• Is subject to falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday.
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
• Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, support departments, etc., to adequately plan for the residents' needs,

EDUCATION

Must possess, as a minimum, a Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university.

EXPERIENCE

Must have, as a minimum, one (3),.years experience as a supervisor in a hospital, long-term care facility, or other related health care facility. Must have, as a minimum, six (6) months training experience in rehabilitative and restorative nursing practices.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess a current, unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse in this state.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
• Must possess 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 be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to long-term care.
• Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with professional and non-professional personnel.
• Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures, etc., that are necessary for providing quality care.
• Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents.
• Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.
• Must be able to relate information concerning a resident's condition.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

Must be able to:

• Move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
• Cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• See and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.
• Relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility.
• Lift, push, pull, and move a minimum of 50 pounds.
• Assist in the evacuation of residents.
• Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.

Tasks assigned to this position may involve potential and/or direct exposure to blood or body fluids.