Nurse Program Manager

NURSE PROGRAM MANAGER

PURPOSE OF YOUR JOB POSITION

The primary purpose of your job position is to oversee the day-to-day operation of your assigned nursing program in accordance with current Federal, State, and local standards, guidelines and regulations. In this capacity you will empower the nursing staff assigned to these programs to assure that each resident receives quality care while encouraging achievement of the highest level of independence attainable.

Delegation of Authority

As the Nurse Program Manager, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

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.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Assist the Director of Nursing and/or the Assistant Director of Nursing in the planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating and directing to the day-to-day functions of the nursing programs in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern this facility.

Direct and oversee 24-hour nursing care provided to the residents in your assigned nursing program.

Promote a team approach to the operations of the nursing units.

Continually evaluate and recommend procedural changes to maximize efficiency and operation of the nursing units.

Serve as the “contact person” for residents and family members of the residents on your assigned nursing program for issues related to their care.

Participate in developing, maintaining, and updating written policies and procedures that govern day-to-day functions of the Nursing Services Department.

Assist with periodically updating the mission and goals for the Nursing Services Department.

Assure that the nursing staff assigned to your nursing program adhere to their respective job descriptions. Make recommendations to the Director or Assistant Director of Nursing regarding updates or revisions in job descriptions for those Nursing Services personnel assigned to your nursing units.

Perform administrative duties such as documenting and auditing medical forms, reports, evaluations, charting, etc., as necessary.

Recommend to the Director or Assistant Director of Nursing any written material that will assist your staff in achieving the highest level of care for the residents.

Participate in the facility’s Quality Assurance program.

Participate in the survey process made by authorized government agencies.

Perform any other duties necessary, or as assigned by the Director or Assistant Director of Nursing, for the provision of quality of care of the residents.

Committee Functions

Participate on committees as requested by the Director or Assistant Director of Nursing.

Personnel Functions

Collaborate with the Director or Assistant Director of Nursing in determining staffing needs for your assigned nursing program.

Empower the nursing staff on your nursing units with the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability to perform their assigned duties by job description, title, capacity, and Federal and State regulations.

Assist the Director or Assistant Director of Nursing in completing performance evaluations for those staff members working on your assigned nursing units.

Keep the Director or Assistant Director of Nursing apprised of the day-to-day operations of your nursing program.

Assume responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the entire Nursing Services Department during an assigned rotation of weekend/holiday supervision.

Nurse Functions

Attend all Medicare meetings.

Complete preadmission assessments for Medicare residents through hospital and other facility visits, and chart review as assigned by the Director of Nursing.

Complete daily assessments and special care needed for Medicare residents.

Assure that appropriate documentation is completed for Medicare residents and all admissions are checked for accuracy within 24 hours.

Nursing Care Functions

Monitor nursing care of the residents and review documentation in the residents’ records for assigned nursing program to assure that quality care is being provided.

Supervise work assignments for your assigned nursing units.

Assist in providing nursing care as necessary.

Make rounds with physicians as appropriate.

Assist the Director of Nursing with preadmission interviews of potential residents for admission to your assigned nursing units.

Care Plan and Assessment Functions

Participate in the development of written preliminary and comprehensive assessments of the nursing needs of each resident on your assigned nursing units.

Participate in the development of a written plan of care (preliminary and comprehensive) for each resident on your assigned nursing units. This includes identification of problems/needs, care to be given, goals to be accomplished and which discipline is responsible for each element of care.

• Complete/oversee the completion of the MDS, Quarterly Review, RAPS, RAI process
• Attend care plan meetings for residents from your assigned nursing programs as appropriate
• Documentation/audit tracking sheets

Encourage residents to participate in the development and review of his/her plan of care if they are able.

Ensure that all personnel involved in providing care to the residents are aware of the care plan and that care plans are used in administering daily care to the residents.

Review documentation to determine that the care plan is being followed.

Review and revise plans of care as necessary.

Develop and maintain a rapport with the Care Plan Coordinator and all members of the Care Plan Team to ensure that a team approach is maintained.

Staff Development

Attend and participate in inservice educational classes, on-the-job training programs, etc., as scheduled or as directed.

Participate in the in-house staff development program.

Make recommendations to the Director or Assistant Director of Nursing Services ideas for staff development.

Complete all online continuing education programs of the facility to promote professional growth, keep you abreast of changes in your profession, as well as maintain your license on a current status, and enhance your ability to fulfill the functions of this position.

Assist in orienting new staff to your assigned programs.

Safety and Sanitation

Promote a safe environment for the residents and staff.

Ensure that all Nursing Services personnel follow established safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies and in resident care.

Ensure that all areas of your assigned nursing units are maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary manner.

Ensure that Nursing Services personnel on your assigned units participate in fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner.

Ensure that Nursing Services personnel on your assigned units follow established infection control procedures.

Report any unsafe or hazardous conditions on your units to the facility Maintenance and/or Housekeeping Directors and the Director or Assistant Director of Nursing.

Equipment and Supply Functions

Recommend equipment and supply needs to the Director or Assistant Director of Nursing Services.

Participate in the development and implementation of procedures for safe operation of all Nursing Services equipment.

Monitor nursing procedures on your units to ensure that Nursing Services supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.

Budget and Planning Functions

Recommend to the Director of Nursing Services anticipated equipment and supply needs for your nursing program.

Residents Rights

Maintain confidentiality of all resident information.

Monitor nursing care on your assigned nursing program and elsewhere in the facility to assure that all residents are treated fairly and with kindness, dignity, and respect, free of abuse.

Ensure that all nursing care is provided in privacy and that personnel knock before entering a resident’s room or unit shower room.

Ensure that all Nursing Services personnel on your assigned units are knowledgeable of the Resident’s Rights and Responsibilities.

Review complaints and grievances made by the resident and make an oral and/or written report to the Director or the Assistant Director of Nursing indicating actions taken to resolve the problem.

Ensure that resident’s rights to fair and equitable treatment, self-determination, individuality, privacy, property and civil rights, are well established and maintained at all times within the administrative guidelines.

Knock before entering a resident’s room.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Works in well-lighted/ventilated office areas, as well as throughout the facility and nursing services area (i.e., medication rooms, nurses’ station, 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/circumstances.

Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors.

Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department personnel.

Is willing to work beyond normal working hours, on weekends and holidays, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.

Is subject to falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday.

May be subjected to infectious diseases, waste, conditions, etc., including the potential exposure to AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.

Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, support departments, etc., to adequately plan and meet the residents’ needs.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Must possess a valid Illinois Nurse license. RN preferred.

EXPERIENCE

Must have, as a minimum, one-year experience in a hospital, long-term care facility, or other health care agency. Experience working with Medicare residents preferred. Knowledge of rules and regulations governing Medicare is preferred.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

Must possess a current, unencumbered license to practice as a Nurse in the State of Illinois.

Must be able to read, write, and speak the English language in a legible and understandable manner.

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 and skilled nursing facilities.

Must possess the leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with professional and non-professional personnel.

Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition, and enthusiasm, as well as be willing to deal with difficult situations involving residents, personnel, visitors, etc.

Must be able to maintain good personnel relations and employee morale.

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 possess the ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.

Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.

Must possess sight/hearing senses, or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel and support agencies.

Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.

May be required to lift, push, and move office equipment, supplies, etc., throughout the workday.

Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which include a medical and physical examination.

Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally unstable, and potentially violent people within the facility.

Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds.