Assistant Director of Nursing

Job Details: Salary Range: Undisclosed, Support the Director of Nursing in planning, developing, organizing, directing and evaluating services and activities of the Nursing Department. Work harmoniously with other departments and disciplines to meet facility goals while ensuring a holistic and rehabilitative approach in assisting each Resident to attain maximal independence.

Accept supervisory responsibility of the Nursing Department in the absence of the Director of Nursing  Unencumbered, active RN or LPN licensure in the state of permanent residence (must be from a state within the Nurse Licensure Compact).  Advanced education and/or experience in nursing management/administration (one-year experience recommended).

 Sincere desire to work with elders and others who have a limited capacity for self-care.  Mental and physical capacity to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations.  Work with and provide care to individuals of a wide range of personality types and maturity levels.  Demonstrate creative initiative and mature judgment in making competent decisions.

 Consistently maintain courteous, empathetic, and professional attitude.  Communicate and comprehend orally and in writing to effectively receive and share information as necessary to perform job duties.  Transportation accessible to enable flexibility of work schedule.  Knowledge of computer applications relating to job.

 Will provide ongoing staff development functions, regular and mandatory in-service training for all staff members.  Conduct monthly Consultant Compliance internal self-audits of Quality Indicators using designed audit tools.  Implement standards of care, policies and procedures.  Determine what individual needs can be accomplished at this facility.

 Provide comfortable, clean, orderly and safe environment for Residents by making daily rounds to observe environment and obtaining feedback.  Ensure clinical competency of employees.  Ensure that the total nursing needs of Residents are met by assuring that a sufficient number of professional and para-professional nursing personnel are scheduled on duty on a daily basis.

 Promote preservation of dignity, individuality and independence by adhering to current policy defining Residents’ Rights.  Ascertain that Residents, employees, and families have awareness of established rights.  Ensure that appropriate restorative/rehabilitative aspects of care are included in interdisciplinary care plan.

 Maintain professional relationship with each physician.  Provide physician with information necessary to ensure timely response.  Assure that significant changes in Residents’ health status are reported expediently.  Assist physician with examination and treatment as needed.  Ascertain that physician is aware of necessary signatures on clinical records.

 Assure adherence to medical direction from physician.  Confirm accurate transcription of physicians’ orders on a regular basis.  Assure adherence to doctors’ medical plan of care (or when not followed, documentation and notification is accurate, initiating an incident form and forwarding to the Director of Nursing).

 Assure updated physicians’ orders, progress notes, MARs, date of physician visits, re-certification dates and re-admission evaluations.  Ascertain that the Executive Director and/or Director of Nursing are aware of any complaints involving the facility.  Prepare and submit reports within established deadlines.  Establish and maintain standards for Resident care.

 Participate in committees that impact Resident care.  Effectively utilize personnel process to interview, hire, orientate, discipline and terminate personnel.  Know and comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, rules and regulations.  Provide regular and mandatory educational opportunities for staff.

 Maintain records of employee attendance, work performance and educational accomplishments.  Ascertain accuracy and completeness of nursing payroll reports prior to submission to Human Resources Department for processing.  Ascertain that clinical records documentation is orderly, accurate, current, and informative and that Residents’ responses are consistently noted.

 Enforce approved policies and procedures.  Participate in Quality Assurance reviews.  Regular attendance, interaction with employees, and provide important and valuable service for the facility’s Residents is an integral requirement for this position to accomplish the work. In order to accomplish this, it is imperative for the person filling this position to be present and accessible to staff, Residents and Residents’ family members during normal business hours, and as needed for emergencies, unless a business related matter require the employee to be off the premises.

It is anticipated that this position cannot be completed within 40 hours per week.  Resident preferences are followed when providing care and service (i.e. meal times, treatment times, type & time of bathing, sleep & wake times).  Maintain Resident privacy, values and right for decision making.  Legally and safely operate automotive equipment.

 Adhere to and comply with any applicable facility insurance guidelines to enable coverage under the policy.  Immediately notify supervisor and Executive Director for any injury, illness, or if develop a condition, that might impact the aptitude to perform job functions. Ancillary Duties and Responsibilities  Perform duties in compliance with established policies and procedures.

 Participate constructively in problem-solving process.  Include other departments in planning changes that may affect interdepartmental functioning and relationships.  Maintain professional courtesy at all times.  Provide constructive feedback to each employee during appraisal process.  Assure implementation of effective employee health program.

 Assist in maintaining Safety program, which includes chemical hazards awareness.  Assist in maintaining current PPDs or other health reports.  Assure implementation of fire and disaster protocol during drills or actual events.  Ascertain employee knowledge and use of proper body mechanics.  Enforce infection control policies and procedures.

 Provide sufficient supplies or equipment for optimal work performance.  Involved in completing budgetary process.  Make recommendations to Director of Nursing regarding necessary equipment, supplies and personnel to accomplish quality care.  Adhere to budgeted amounts.  Can set priorities for budgeted items.  Plan for acquisition and storage of needed supplies and equipment.

 Exert reasonable control over the department’s inventory.  Route needs requests properly through chain of command.  Grant special requests after taking into consideration Residents’ needs and geography of facility.  Assure that schedule reflects consistent staffing pattern for optimal Resident care.  Maintain assignments within scope of established job performance standards and orientation.

 Serve as role model in work setting.  Demonstrate competent and mature coping mechanisms.  Demonstrate progressive attitude regarding implementation of change and adaptation to current healthcare trends.  Reflect professional attitude/appearance at all times.  Demonstrate supportive attitude toward Supervisor and Facility Consultants.

 Assist employees to meet educational requirements as outlined in regulations.  Assure that educational programs are available on a regular basis to meet minimum requirements.  Ascertain that records reflect employee participation in educational programs.  Conduct ongoing nursing staff development needs.  Conduct and/or assist with facility and department orientation.

 Conduct and/or assist with mandatory in-service programs.  Report maintenance needs to Executive Director and appropriate department for corrective action.  Assure a reasonable effort is made to inform Resident and responsible party about physician visits and that they have an opportunity to interact with physician during the visit.

 Assist in ensuring effective orientation of all new employees in accordance with the orientation manual.  Evaluate each prospective Resident prior to admission.  Determine feasibility of Resident’s needs in relation to available resources for care.  Require necessary reports prior to accepting new Resident.  Forward significant information to Supervisor in a timely manner.

 Keep current list of Residents and conditions and reports to the Executive Director.  Maintain current comprehensive holistic care plan with clearly defined objectives.  May be required to represent facility in the absence of Executive Director and/or Director of Nursing.  Maintain current professional awareness by attending workshops, seminars, conferences and etc.

as necessary to keep current.  Read current professional literature regarding Long-Term Care.  Attend professional organization meetings or networks through other agencies.  Promote positive public relations.  Maintain a good working relationship with other agencies and disciplines.  Respond promptly to any deficiencies noted by regulatory agencies.

 Respond tactfully to public comments.  Project positive image when representing facility in community activities.  Establish annual objectives.  Establish objectives and personal goals for self-fulfillment.  Achieve a minimum of two (2) objectives in twelve months.  Remain open to constructive feedback from peers and supervisors.

 Perform other reasonable duties within the scope of training, education or experience that may be assigned from time to time by the Director of Nursing. Resident Rights  Maintain the confidentiality of all Resident care information including protected health information. Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information.

 Ensure that the Resident’s rights to fair and equitable treatment, self-determination, individuality, privacy, property and civil rights, including the right to wage complaints, are well established and maintained at all times.  Review Resident complaints and grievances and make written reports of action taken. Discuss such actions with Resident and family as appropriate.

Safety and Sanitation  Ensure that you and all facility personnel, Residents, visitors, etc., follow established safety regulations, to include fire protection/prevention, smoking regulations, infection control, etc.  Ensure that the building and grounds are maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner as well as in good working order by reporting all concerns to management.

 Review accident/incident reports (e.g., falls, injuries of an unknown source, abuse, ect.) Monitor to determine the effectiveness of the facility’s risk management program.  Ensure that you and all facility personnel follow established regulations governing the use of labels and SDSs for hazardous chemicals.  Ensure that facility procedure manuals identify safety precautions and equipment to use when performing tasks that could cause bodily injury or exposure to a hazardous chemical or infectious waste.

 Ensure that you and all facility personnel follow established ergonomics policies and procedures to prevent self-injury.  Ensure that you and all facility personnel performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood, body fluids, or hazardous chemicals are appropriately trained prior to performing such tasks.

 Assist the Maintenance Director in developing and implementing waste disposal policies and procedures.

Qualifications

 Unencumbered, active RN or LPN licensure in the state of permanent residence (must be from a state within the Nurse Licensure Compact).  Advanced education and/or experience in nursing management/administration (one-year experience recommended).  Sincere desire to work with elders and others who have a limited capacity for self-care.

 Mental and physical capacity to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations.  Work with and provide care to individuals of a wide range of personality types and maturity levels.  Demonstrate creative initiative and mature judgment in making competent decisions.  Consistently maintain courteous, empathetic, and professional attitude.

 Communicate and comprehend orally and in writing to effectively receive and share information as necessary to perform job duties.  Transportation accessible to enable flexibility of work schedule.  Knowledge of computer applications relating to job. Work Environment WORKING ENVIRONMENT: All statements addressed in the "Working Hours," "Environment" and "Physical/Sensory Demands" sections below are applicable to all jobs maintained by the employer.

Working Hours: The employee will  Be employed on a full-time basis. May be subject to change after employment.  Work unusual hours as necessary and as required.  Be expected and required to adhere to policies and procedures regarding attendance. Environment: The employee will  Work in a well-lighted, heated or air-conditioned, ventilated area, unless otherwise noted.

 Be subject to frequent interruptions.  At times be subjected to falls, cuts, bruises, caustic substances, infectious diseases and odors.  At times be subjected to hostile and emotionally upset family members and Residents.  Be expected to work cooperatively with others.  Be expected to handle multiple tasks effectively and organize work efficiently.

 Be expected to maintain a professional attitude and good relations with co-workers.  Be economical and careful with use of supplies and equipment.  Be expected to show courtesy to co-workers, Residents, families and others with whom contact is made while on the job.  Adhere to established policies and procedures including safety regulations to ensure that quality Resident care is maintained at all times.

Physical/Sensory Demands: The employee must  Often walk for long periods or long distances within the building, or sit, stand and walk intermittently.  Frequently bend/stoop, squat, reach above shoulder level, push/pull, and carry up to 50 pounds and move up to 75 pounds.  Perform repetitive hand and foot action with or without reasonable accommodation.

 Communicate information and ideas orally and in writing, and in a manner that others will understand.  Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.  Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.  Respond to and assist with emergency procedures, including evacuation of Residents from the building.

 Occasionally climb, crouch and kneel.  Hear, with or without the aid of mechanical devices, adequately enough to respond to soft, verbal communications and instructions and answering of telephone.  Read and see, with or without the aid of mechanical devices, and respond to and/or interpret written material or instructions.

 Be free of all communicable diseases and agree to testing of same, under which federal and/or state regulations would prevent you from working at this facility. Risk Classification All employees performing within this job classification are at high risk of exposure to blood/body fluids or potentially infectious waste when performing certain tasks within the job requirements.

Confirmation of Receipt The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

I have read, understand and will abide by the contents of this job description. I hereby verify that I have received a written description of the job for which I am being employed, and I have been given the opportunity to ask questions about the essential and ancillary functions of the position. I further verify that I possess the skills required for this position and I am able to perform the essential functions of the job described, with or without reasonable accommodations, and I certify that I have requested any reasonable accommodations that may be required at this time.

I further certify that I acknowledge my responsibility to request accommodations should they become necessary in the future, whether through change in my circumstance or through a change in the requirements of any position or task to which I am assigned.