Nurse Supervisor/Unit Manager

Purpose of Your Job Position

The primary purpose of your job position is to supervise the day-to-day nursing activities of the facility during your tour of duty. Such supervision must be in accordance with current federal, state & local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern our facility, and as may be directed by the Director of Nursing, to ensure that the highest quality care is maintained at all times.

Delegation of Authority

As the Nurse Supervisor / Unit Manager, you arc delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Job Functions

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. 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 an essential function of the position.

Duties and Responsibilities Administrative Functions

Assist the Assistant Director of Nursing in directing the day-to-day functions of the nursing service department, in accordance with current rules, regulation, and guidelines that govern the long-term care facility.

Participate in developing, maintaining, and updating our written policies and procedures that govern the day-to-day functions of the nursing department.

Ensure that reference material (i.e., PDR's, Federal and State Regulations, etc.) maintained at the nurses' station is current. Recommend to the Director written material that will assist the nursing department in meeting the day-to-day needs of residents.

Ensure that the Nursing Service Procedures Manual is current at all times and reflects the day-to-day nursing care procedures used by the facility.

Ensure that all nursing service personnel comply with the procedures set forth in the Nursing Service Procedures Manual.

Make written and oral reports / recommendations to the Director as necessary / required, concerning the operation of the nursing department.

Periodically review the department's policies, procedure manuals, job descriptions, etc.

Make recommendations for revisions to the Director.

Assist in developing methods for coordinating nursing services with other resident services to ensure the continuity of the resident's total regimen of care.

Ensure that all nursing service personnel are in compliance with their respective job descriptions.

Participate in the development, maintenance, and implementation of the facility's quality assurance program for the nursing service department.

Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as requested by the Administrator or Director of Nursing.

Periodically review the resident's written discharge plan.

Participate in updating the resident's written discharge plan as required.

Assist the Director in planning the nursing service portion of the resident's discharge plan as necessary.

Meet with the nursing staff; as well as support personnel in planning the department's services, programs, and activities.

Admit, transfer, and discharge residents as required. Complete accident / incident reports as necessary.

Interpret the department's policies and procedures to personnel, residents, visitors, and government agencies as required.

Complete Annual performance evaluations on your staff in a timely manner.

Complete Annual Competencies test upon hire and annually for all your staff.

Perform administrative duties such as completing medical fom1s, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc. as necessary.

Committee Functions

Attend various committees of the facility (i.e., Infection Control, Policy Advisory, Pharmaceutical, Budget, Quality Assurance & Assessment, etc.) as required.

Serve on the Quality Assurance and Assessment (QA) and Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Committees as directed.

Assist in preparing written and / or oral reports of the nursing program s and activities to submit to such committee(s) as directed.

Provide information to the QA and QAPI Committees as requested.

Participate in developing the agenda for the Care Plan Committee meetings as necessary.

Participate in regularly scheduled reviews of the discharge plans and make such plans available to the Care Plan Committee as required or as may be necessary.

Implement recommendations from established committees as instructed by the Director.

Personnel Functions

Ensure that a sufficient number of licensed practical and / or registered nurses are available for each tour of duty to ensure that quality care is maintained.

Ensure that a sufficient number of certified nursing assistants are available for each tour of duty to ensure that routine nursing care is provided to meet the daily nursing care needs of each resident.

Develop work assignments, and / or assist in completing and performing such tasks.

Delegate to each Charge Nurse the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary to perform their assigned duties.

Make daily rounds of the nursing service department to ensure that all nursing personnel are performing their work assignments in accordance with acceptable nursing standards and report findings to Director.

Monitor absenteeism to ensure that an adequate number of nursing care personnel arc on duty at all times. Report problem areas to the Director.

Ensure that established policies and procedures, including dress codes, are followed by all departmental personnel.

Review complaints and grievances made or filed by department personnel.

Make appropriate reports to the Director as required or as may be necessary.

Develop and maintain a good working rapport with inter-department personnel, as well as other departments within the facility to ensure that nursing services and activities can be adequately maintained to meet the needs of the residents.

Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as, a calm environment throughout the unit and shift.

Meet with shift on a regularly scheduled basis lo assist in identifying and correcting problem areas and / or to assist in the improvement of services.

Review and evaluate department's work force and make recommendations to the Director.

Participate in employee performance evaluations, determining shift's staffing requirements, and making recommendations to the Director concerning employee dismissals, transfers, etc.

Ensure that departmental disciplinary action is administered fairly and without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, religion, handicap, or marital status.

Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluid, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures governing accident and injuries.

Nursing Care Functions

Inform nursing service personnel of new admissions, their expected time of arrival, room assignment, etc.

Ensure that rooms are ready for new admissions.

Greet newly admitted residents upon admission and escort them to their rooms as necessary.

Make rounds with physicians as necessary.

Encourage attending physicians to record and sign progress notes, physicians' orders, etc., on a timely basis and in accordance with current regulations.

Inform the Director when physician visits are not made in a timely manner.

Consult with the resident, his / her family, and the resident's physicians in planning the resident's care, treatment, rehabilitation, etc., as necessary.

Notify the resident's attending physician and next of kin when there is a change in the resident's condition.

Visit residents on a daily basis in order to observe and evaluate each resident's physical and emotional status.

Ensure that direct nursing care be provided by a licensed nurse, a certified nursing assistant, and / or a nurse aide trainee qualified to perform the procedure.

Review nurses' notes to ensure that they are informative, accurate and descriptive of nursing care being provided, that they reflect the resident's response to the care, and that such care is provided in accordance with the resident's wishes.

Provide direct nursing care as necessary.

Start IVs, obtain sputum, urine and other specimens for lab tests as ordered. May delegate to qualified nurse.

Take TPRs, blood pressures, etc., as necessary.

Admit, transfer and discharge residents as necessary. Report problem areas to the Director.

Assist in developing and implementing corrective action.

Keep the Director informed of the status of residents and other related matters through written / oral reports.

Assist the Charge Nurse in monitoring seriously ill residents.

Authorize the use of restraints when necessary and in accordance with our established policies and procedures.

Ensure that all RNs and LPNs on shift comply with written procedures for the administration, storage, and control of medications and supplies.

Monitor medication passes and treatment schedules to ensure that medications are being administered as ordered and that treatments are provided as scheduled.

Review medication cards for completeness of information, accuracy in the transcription of physician orders, and adherence to stop order policies.

Inspect the nursing service treatment areas daily to ensure that they are maintained in a clean and safe manner.

Ensure that residents who are unable to call for help are checked frequently.

Meet with residents, and / or family members, as necessary. Report problems to the Director.

Assist in arranging transportation of discharged residents as necessary. Inform family members of the death of the resident.

Call funeral homes when requested by the family

Staff Development

Participate in developing, planning, conducting, and scheduling in-service training classes that provide instructions on "how to do the job," and ensure a well-educated nursing department.

Develop, implement, and maintain an effective orientation program that orients the new employee to the facility, its policies and procedures, and to his / her job position and duties.

Provide leadership training that includes the administrative and supervisory principles essential for Charge Nurses.

Encourage Charge Nurses to attend and participate in outside training programs and schedule times as appropriate.

Assist the Director in developing and revising the nursing assistant training curriculum used by the facility.

Assist the In-Service Director / Educator in developing annual OSHA and CDC in-service training programs for hazard communication, TB management, and blood borne pathogens standards.

Assist the In-Service Director / Educator in developing advance directive in-service training program for the staff and community.

Assist support services in developing, implementing, and conducting in-service training programs that relate to the nursing service department.

Assist the In-Service Director / Educator in the development of in-service training programs for the nursing staff and ensure that these progran1s meet the continuing education requirements which allow licensed personnel (e.g., RNs, LPNs, CNAs, etc.) to keep their license on an active status.

Attend and participate in continuing education programs designed to keep you abreast of changes in your profession, as well as to maintain your license on a current status.

Safety and Sanitation

Assist the Safety Officer in developing safety standards for the nursing service department as necessary.

Assist the Director and / or Infection Control Coordinator in identifying, evaluating, and classifying routine and job related functions to ensure that tasks in which there are potential exposure to blood / body fluids are properly identified and recorded.

Ensure all personnel performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood / body fluids participate in appropriate in-service training programs prior to performing such tasks.

Ensure that an adequate supply of personal protective equipment is on hand and readily available to personnel who perform procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids.

Monitor shift's personnel to ensure that they are following established safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies.

Ensure that all nursing service personnel comply with established departmental policies and procedures.

Ensure that nursing service work areas (i.e., nurses' stations, medicine preparations rooms, etc.) are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner.

Ensure that all resident care rooms, treatment areas, etc., are maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner.

Ensure that nursing service personnel follow established handwashing procedures.

Ensure that nursing service personnel participate in and conduct all fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner.

Participate in the development, implementation, and maintenance of the infection control program for monitoring communicable and / or infectious diseases among the residents and personnel.

Ensure that nursing service personnel follow established infection control procedures when isolation precautions become necessary.

Participate in the development, implementation and maintenance of the procedures for reporting hazardous conditions or equipment.

Ensure that all personnel wear and / or use safety equipment and supplies (e.g., gait belts, mechanical lifts, etc.) when moving or lifting a resident.

Report missing / illegible labels and MSDSs to the safety officer or other designated person.

Equipment and Supply Functions

Recommend to the Director the equipment and supply needs of the department.

Ensure that an adequate stock level of medications, medical supplies, equipment, etc. is maintained on premises at all times to adequately meet the need of the resident.

Assist the Maintenance Director in developing a preventive maintenance program for maintaining the nursing depa1tment's equipment and supplies in a safe and operable manner.

Participate in the development and implementation of the procedures for the safe operation of all nursing service equipment.

Ensure that only trained and authorized personnel operate the department's equipment. Ensure that all personnel operate nursing service equipment in a safe manner.

Monitor nursing procedures to ensure that nursing service supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.

Ensure that appropriate MSDSs are on file for hazardous chemicals used in the nursing department.

Care Plan and Assessment Functions

Participate in the development of written preliminary and comprehensive assessments of the nursing needs of each resident as necessary.

Participate in the development of 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.

Encourage the resident to participate in the development and review of his / her care plan. Review resident care plans for appropriate resident goals, problems, approaches, and revisions based on nursing needs.

Ensure that all personnel involved in providing care to the resident are aware of the resident's care plan.

Ensure that nursing personnel refer to the resident's care plan prior to administering daily care to the resident.

Review nurses' notes to determine if the care plan is being followed.

Assist the Resident Assessment / Care Plan Coordinator in planning, scheduling, and revising the MDS, including the implementation of RAPs and Triggers.

Review resident's medical and nursing treatments to ensure that they are provided in accordance with the resident's care plan and wishes.

Budget and Planning Functions

Keep abreast of economic conditions / situation, and recommend to the Director adjustments in nursing services that ensure the continued ability to provide quality care.

Recommend to the Director the equipment needs of the nursing department.

Resident Rights

Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information.

Monitor nursing care to ensure that all residents are treated fairly, and with kindness, dignity, and respect.

Ensure that all nursing care is provided in privacy and that nursing service personnel knock before entering the resident's room.

Ensure that all nursing service personnel are knowledgeable of resident rights and responsibilities, including the right to refuse treatment.

Review complaints or grievances made by the resident and make a written / oral report to the Director indicating what action(s) were taken to resolve the complaint or grievance. Follow facility's established procedures.

Maintain a written record of the resident's complaints and / or grievances that indicates the action to resolve the complaint and the current status of the complaint.

Report and investigate all allegations of resident abuse and / or misappropriation of resident property.

Ensure that nursing staff personnel honor the resident's refusal of treatment request. Ensure that such requests are in accordance with the facility's policies governing advance directives.

Working Conditions

Works in office area(s) as well as throughout the nursing service area (i.e., dining rooms, nurses' stations, resident rooms, etc.).

Moves intermittently during work hours.

Is subject to frequent interruptions.

ls involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies / personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.

ls 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, weekends and holidays when necessary.

Is subject to call-back during emergency conditions (e.g. severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).

Is involved in community, civic health matters, and projects as appropriate.

Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.

Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, assaults from hostile residents, etc. throughout the work day, as well as 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.

Maintains, and acts as a liaison with the residents, their families, support departments, etc., to adequately plan for the residents' needs.

Education Requirements

Must possess, as a minimum, a Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university, or be a graduate of an approved LPN program.

Experience

Must have, as a minimum, one (1) year(s) of experience as a supervisor in a hospital, long-term care facility, or other related health care facility.

Must have training in rehabilitative and restorative nursing practices.

Specific Requirements

Must posses and maintain a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as an RN or LPN in this state.

Must possess and maintain a current "Eligible' AHCA Background Screening Status

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 and supervise other 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.

Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

Must be able to move intermittently throughout the work day.

Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner. 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 the 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 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 upset, and at times hostile people within the facility.

Must be able to push, pull, move, and / or lift a minimum of 35 lbs. to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and / or carry such weight a minimum distance of 450 feet.

May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.