Assistant Director of Nursing

Primary Purpose of this Position

The primary purpose of this position is to assist the Director of Nursing in planning, organizing, developing and directing the day-to-day functions of the nursing services department in accordance with current federal, state and local standards, guidelines and regulations that govern the facility.

Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

• Assist the Director of Nursing in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating and directing the day-to-day functions of the nursing services department in accordance with current rules, regulations and guidelines that govern the facility.
• Assist in developing and implementing a nursing services organizational structure.
• Work with the Minimum Data Set/Resident Assessment Instrument (MDS/RAI)Coordinator to schedule, conduct and submit resident assessments.
• Allocate resources efficiently while ensuring that residents obtain their highest practical physical, mental and psychosocial well-being.
• Collaborate with medical professionals, consultants and organizations including government and advocacy groups.
• Coordinate with other resident services to ensure continuity of resident care.
• Read and interpret long-term care regulations and requirements of participation.
• Assist in the development of nursing policies and procedures which meet the current standards of nursing practice, comply with state and federal regulations, reflect facility philosophy and support operational objectives.
• Assist the Director of Nursing in obtaining staffing information that must be posted on a daily basis.
• Participate in developing, implementing and periodically updating the resident's written discharge plan.
• Develop and periodically update nursing services objectives and statements of philosophy.
• Ensure that reference material (i.e., Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR), regulations, professional standards of practice, etc.) maintained at the nurses' stations is current; recommend to the Director of Nursing written material that will assist the nursing services department in meeting the day-to-day needs of residents.
• Monitor the facility's quality measure reports.

Nursing Care Functions

• Ensure that direct nursing care is provided by a licensed nurse, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and/or a nurse aide trainee qualified to perform the procedure.
• Greet newly admitted residents upon admission; escort them to their rooms as necessary.
• Make rounds with physicians as necessary.
• Monitor medication passes and treatment schedules to ensure that medications are being administered as ordered and that treatments are provided as scheduled.
• Participate in the interviewing and selection of residents for admission to the facility including the Preadmission Screening and Resident Review(PASARR).
• Provide direct nursing care as necessary.
• Provide the Director of Nursing with information relative to the nursing needs of the residents and to the nursing services department's ability to meet those needs.
• Report medication errors to the Director of Nursing.
• Report problem areas to the Director of Nursing; assist in developing and implementing corrective action.
• Schedule daily rounds to observe residents and to determine if nursing needs are being met.

Personnel Functions

• Assist the Director of Nursing in determining the staffing needs of the nursing services department.
• Assist the Director of Nursing in preparing performance evaluations as directed.
• Assist the Director of Nursing in the recruitment and selection of nursing services personnel.
• Delegate to the Charge Nurse/Nurse Supervisor the administrative authority, responsibility and accountability necessary to perform their assigned duties.
• Develop work assignments and schedule staff hours as needed.
• Ensure that all nurse aide trainees are under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse.
• Interpret the department's policies and procedures to personnel, residents, visitors and government agencies as necessary.
• Make daily rounds of the nursing services department to ensure that all nursing services personnel are performing their work assignments in accordance with acceptable nursing standards; report findings to the Director of Nursing.
• Monitor the professional nurses' licensing status to ensure that they remain current; inform nurses at least 30 days in advance of their license expiration date.
• Participate in the development and implementation of performance evaluations for the nursing services department.
• Recommend to the Director of Nursing the number and level of nursing personnel to be employed.
• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures governing accident and incidents.
• Review complaints and grievances made or filed by department personnel; make appropriate reports to the Director of Nursing as required or as necessary.
• Schedule work assignments and duty hours.

Education

Must possess, as a minimum, a nursing degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience

• Must possess a current unencumbered active license to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state.
• Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
• Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age-related needs of the residents served.
• Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of team work and team concept.
• 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 nursing care facilities.
• 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, 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 function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel and support agencies.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.