RN Unit Manager

The RN Unit Manager supports the Director of Nursing (DON) with the delivery of efficient and effective nursing care while achieving positive clinical outcomes, and patient/family and employee satisfaction during a designated shift.

The RN Unit Manager serves as a clinical operational liaison between the clinical staff, residents, and the DON. He/she is responsible for the clinical operations of the Nursing Unit including ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures, practice standards and regulations. Additionally, he/she is responsible for facilitating the implementation of the care delivery model and processes, mentoring staff, coordination and communication with other departments, and ensuring patient and family satisfaction.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborates with the DON in maintaining adequate nursing coverage to provide safe nursing care for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Effectively utilizes existing manpower limiting use of overtime and agency personnel
• Participates in staff recruitment (i.e. Assist in the interviewing and selection of nursing personnel)
• Assesses the work performance of nursing staff as it relates to their job description, unit standards of care and goals of the individual
• Assists with the Individual Performance Improvement Plan for staff whose performance does not meet center expectations, and when necessary, recommends or initiates disciplinary action
• Recommends and facilitates employee promotions, transfers and terminations; Collaborates with other departments to provide timely effective care consistent with individuals' needs, choices and preferences
• Answers any/all emergencies throughout the shift (i.e., change of condition, starting IVs, pronouncement of death)
• Fosters a strong partnership between the medical staff and the department of nursing
• Makes recommendations to the DON regarding nursing care equipment/supplies required to meet the needs of the patients and assures that adequate supplies are available
• Promotes a culture of safety to ensure a healthy practice and living environment
• Participates in meetings to address patient care, survey and/or standards of care issues as requested
• Assures that the building is secure during the assigned shift by checking doors and alarms according to nursing center protocols

CLINICAL LEADERSHIP:

• Works with the DON to effectively plan, organize, direct and implement a comprehensive center-wide nursing program
• Provides nursing leadership in order to meet the goals of the organization and the individual center
• Ensures patient care assignments are consistent with staff competencies, scope of practice and the needs of the patients
• Creates an environment that is respectful, team oriented and responsive to the concerns of staff, patients and families
• Completes rounds on the units to observe patients and to determine if nursing needs are being met
• Provides patient care when required
• On occasion performs duties of a staff nurse to ensure appropriate staffing ratios are met due to call outs
• Monitors nursing care to ensure positive clinical outcomes and minimize re-hospitalizations
• Ensures Matrix AOD is utilized according to the Business Processes
• Encourages communication between licensed nursing staff and CNAs during and between shifts
• Promotes and enforces facility best practice for shift-to-shift communication between incoming and outgoing nursing staff
• Ensures timely and accurate compliance of the MDS process and that it reflects the patient's plan of care
• Reviews prospective admissions in relation to existing nursing capabilities and ensures readiness to treat
• Contacts attending physician to obtain orders as indicated (i.e., admission, change in condition, etc.)
• Ensures that Physician Orders are followed as prescribed
• Oversees medication management to ensure adequate supplies and that all medications are handled in accordance Lasell policy;
• Ensures that patient's attending physician and family or responsible party are promptly notified of any significant change in the patient's health condition
• Facilitates discharge planning process and provides consultation as needed
• Investigates patient/family complaints and takes appropriate actions to bring to resolution

EDUCATION:

• Identifies educational needs of the staff and communicates needs to the SDC Nurse
• Conducts education in the absence of the SDC, participates in the evaluation of staff competency; assists with the orientation of newly hired nursing staff
• Demonstrates, teaches and evaluates nursing skills utilized in direct patient care of the unit's specific patient population
• Promotes professional development and career opportunities for nursing staff

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT:

• Supports the DON in employing a strong Quality Improvement (QI) process for the nursing department
• Ensures that the patients' Care Plans are implemented and periodically reviewed and modified as necessary
• Ensures that patient's accident/incident, adverse event and grievances/concerns are fully documented, investigated, reported and addressed in accordance with Lasell House policies and procedures and the Federal/State rules and regulations
• Enhances nursing practice by attending all mandated in-service programs and other GHC and outside professional education programs
• Maintains confidentiality and protects sensitive Protected Health Information (PHI) at all times
• Stays and works beyond scheduled shift if needed to meet state staffing requirements and/or needs of patients
• Performs other duties as requested

SPECIFIC EDUCATIONAL/VOCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing, college or university with a current registered nurse licensure by the State Board of Nursing
• A minimum of three years full-time or equivalent clinical experience is required and a minimum of two years of clinical experience in long-term care nursing with one year in a management/administrative or supervisory capacity is preferred
• BSN preferred
• This position requires that the employee is able to read, write, speak and understand the spoken English language to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our patients and visitors at the work site when responding to their medical and physical needs

JOB SKILLS:

• Must have thorough knowledge of nursing techniques and practices
• Must have thorough knowledge of the specialized procedures applied and equipment used in the area to which you are assigned
• Must have knowledge of medications, their proper dosage and expected results
• Must be skilled in handling and manipulating instruments and equipment
• Must have ability to coordinate and supervise the nursing functions in an effective manner
• Must have ability to maintain an empathetic attitude toward patients and to gain their confidence in order to work with them effectively
• Must have ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions in the English language, which may be of a technical nature
• Must have ability to recognize and identify symptoms and to make decisions quickly in emergencies
• Must have ability to train subordinates in work procedures and to organize and direct training carried out by members of the staff
• Must possess the ability to positively interact with personnel, patients, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public
• Must provide annual verification of a negative TB skin test
• Must respond cheerfully in all interactions with patients, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.

ENVIROMENTAL AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• May need to reach overhead, handle objects, use finger dexterity, talk, hear, see, and feel
• May need to move, transport or position objects up to 40 pounds
• Continuous moving, standing, climbing, frequent periods requiring sustained uncomfortable physical conditions
• May need to ascend/descend stairs, operate foot controls, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and twist
• May need to work in an environment with noise, vibrations and occasional fumes
• May need to work in protective clothing, when company policy and common sense so dictates
• Works in office area(s) as well as throughout the nursing area (i.e. medication room, nurses' stations, patient rooms, etc.)
• Moves intermittently during working hours and 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, post-disaster, etc.).
• ls subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday, as well as to reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants
• 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.

We are proud to be listed as an Age-Friendly Certified Employer.

Please email resume to msoler@lasell.edu