Assistant Nurse Unit Manager

SUMMARY:

The Assistant Nurse Unit Manager is the professional nurse who has 24-hour responsibility for the management of operations of a designated clinical area. To fulfill this responsibility the Nurse Unit Manager coordinates team efforts to promote restorative/rehabilitative practice and resident self-care, supervises assigned nursing personnel, and acts as a resource for clinical and policy-related questions affecting the residents/families and staff. The position entails proficiency in Direct Care (Technical and Process Skills) and Indirect Care and Managerial Roles (Interpersonal, Administrative and Professional Development Skills).

The Nurse Unit Manager position exemplifies The Better Way through leadership and demeanor; represents the center in a positive manner both in the medical community and in the community as a whole.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Graduate of an accredited school of nursing and currently licensed to practice nursing in this state.
2. Demonstrates clinical expertise and knowledge of gerontology and rehabilitative services..
3. Demonstrates ability to organize, be accountable for work effort outcomes, lead and supervise others, and communicate effectively both written and verbal.
4. Ability to perform physical and mental requirements of the job.
5. CPR certified.
6. Previous experience as an Head Nurse is preferred

JOB KNOWLEDGE AND CAPABILITIES:

1. Is responsible for maintaining clinical competency as evidenced by application integrated nursing knowledge and skills, leadership and communication skills.
2. Utilized the nursing process in assessment, planning and implementing care.
3. Exhibits organizational ability related to work flow, prioritizing to meet patient care needs.
4. Practices continuous quality improvement thinking and problem solving skills.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Special Demands:

1. Available on-call 24 hours, 7 days a week (or delegates to a qualified LPN/RN).
2. Ability to communicate effectively with the medical/health care community, patients and families.
3. Ability to interpret and implement regulations (state and federal).
4. Ability to organize and implement systems to manage and enhance patient services.
5. Ability to manage through delegation, goal setting, and building respect from all nursing staff through use of positive leadership principles.
6. Ability to plan and direct nursing service in an interdisciplinary team environment.
7. Must be able to make administrative decisions as required during administratorâ€s absence.
8. Working knowledge of center’s fire, safety and disaster procedures.
9. Implements federal, state and local regulations pertaining to nursing service

Physical Demands:

1. Able to be on feet standing or walking 8-12 hours per day.
2. Able to lift 60-70 lbs. on occasional basis.
3. Able to bend, stoop, squat, and twist numerous times daily.
4. Able to see and hear adequately in order to respond to auditory and visual requests form patients.
5. Able to speak in clear concise voice in order to communicate with patients who may be hearing impaired.
6. Able to carry out fine motor skills and manual dexterity.
7. Able to manage own stress effectively.

QUALITY MANAGEMENT:

1. Maintains a system to insure knowledge of patient status (such as: makes daily rounds of all patients).
2. Coordinates and implements Patient Care Plan conferences (or have working knowledge of process if delegated)
3. Develops and implements a rehabilitative nursing program to assist patients to reach maximum level of functioning.
4. Monitors to see that treatments and medications are administered as ordered
5. Participates in conferences with patients and families
6. Monitors to see that there is accurate and adequate documentation in the medical records
7. Coordinates or is responsible for assuring accurate and timely completion of Patient Assessment (MDS) forms.
8. Reviews and takes action when indicated by Patient Assessment (MDS) reports
9. Plans and encourages participation in in-service and continuing education for all levels of nursing personnel (including CNA training program)
10. Is an active member of the center’s Quality Improvement Committee
11. Coordinates Level of Care meeting on a weekly basis.
12. Reviews and reports finding of level of care meetings to attending physicians.

OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT:

General Description:

1. Serves as a member of management team and develops effective working relationships with the administrator and the medical director.
2. Serves as a member of management team and develops effective working relationships with the administrator and the medical director.
3. Participates in the development of center goals
4. Develops and implements procedures to meet the goals of the center.
5. Develops positive partner relations policies and environment to achieve firm, fair, consistent supervision and a department team
6. Administers policies and formulates procedures for the nursing department
7. Formulates and administers a departmental budget based on the nursing departmentâ€s goals and projected revenues
8. Participates in establishing a competitive wage, salary, and benefit plan for nursing service staff.
9. Operates the nursing department in a cost-effective manner
10. Manages the recruitment, selection, training, evaluation and retention for all nursing staff
11. Develops and implements a master staffing plan based on patient’s needs, nursing service goals and standards, department budget and state law.
12. Initiates and approves position descriptions for nursing personnel.
13. Promotes consistent assignment scheduling to meet patient care needs.
14. Formulates, implements and evaluates a department plan for orientation and partner development
15. Promotes and delegates accountability for maintaining an effective performance appraisal system for nursing
16. Promotes resolution of conflicts through delegation and accountability for positive supervision
17. Promotes and delegates personnel policy compliance with supervisors
18. Creates a work climate that promotes a positive quality of work and minimizes institutionâ€s legal risk
19. Establishes linkage with existing community resources
20. Assesses supplies and equates needs for Nursing Department and sees that units are adequately stocked and maintained.