Assistant Director of Nursing / LPN

License Qualification: Licensed Vocation/Practical Nurse

Reports to: Director of Nursing

Supervises: All Nursing Department

Classification: Non-Exempt Hourly

Responsible for supporting and carrying out the administration and management of Nursing Services to residents in accordance with orders of the physicians and total needs of the residents. In partnership with the Director of Nursing, is responsible for the 24-hour supervision of Nursing Services and directs the Nursing Department to maintain quality standards of care in accordance with current Federal, State and The Company standards, guidelines and regulations. In absence of the Director of Nursing, assumes the responsibility for clinical operations. The position conducts the nursing process - assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation - under the scope of the State’s Nurse Practice Act of Registered Nurse licensure.

Principal Responsibilities

• Coordinates plans for the total care of each resident which comply with physician’s orders, governmental regulations and facility resident care policies.
• Communicates and interprets policies and procedures to nursing staff, and monitors staff practices and implementation.
• Participates in all admissions decisions, and may visit prospective residents before admissions, as needed.
• Participates in daily and weekly management team meetings to discuss resident status, census changes, personnel, or resident complaints or concerns.
• Ensures delivery of compassionate quality care and nursing supervision as evidence by adequate services and staff coverage, absence of odors, general cleanliness, prevention of pressure wounds, and apparent maintenance of optimal resident functions.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and application of Key Clinical Quality Indicates, and proactively monitors and implements systems to achieve and/or surpass company thresholds.
• Collaborates with physicians, consultants, community agencies, and institutions to improve the quality of services and to resolve identified problems.
• Assist in the coordination of nursing services with all other departments including Therapy.
• Responsible for competency testing on registered, licensed, certified, non-certified nursing personnel.
• Implements and monitors the infection control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment designed to prevent the devilment and transmission of disease and infection.
• Prepares or reviews infection control surveillance reports to identify trends and to develop effective actions to control and prevent infections. Submits an infection control report to the QA Committee.
• Coordinates on-going QA activities for nursing services to monitor nursing compliance with standards and regulatory requirements through rounds, interviews, and record reviews. Compiles summary of findings for the Quality Assurance committee.
• Helps the Director of Nursing prepare staff for inspection surveys, instructing staff on matters of conduct and disclosure, being interviewed by inspectors, immediate corrections of problems noted by surveyors, etc. Reviews and reinforces important standards previously cited.
• Participates in the preparation of the Plan of Correction response to an inspection survey, and implements any followup QA required for any nursing allegations.
• Communicates directly with residents, families, medical staff, nursing staff, interdisciplinary team members, and Department Heads to coordinate care and services, promote participation in care plans, and maintain a high quality of care and life for residents.
• Oversees nursing schedules to assure they meet resident needs and regulatory and budgetary standards; Assists in controlling nursing service hours and supply costs, including recommendation for the number and type of nursing personnel to be employed and nursing service equipment and supply needs.
• Performs rounds to observe care and to interview staff, residents, families or other interested parties.
• Makes daily rounds and spot checks documentation accuracy and completeness on new admissions, residents with change in condition, residents triggering occurrence investigations, and residents to be discharged.
• Promotes customer service and hospitality and responds to and adequately resolves complaints or concerns from residents or families about nursing services.
• Monitors staff for compliance with OSHA mandates and facility policies on workplace safety. Proactively develops procedures and incentives to promote workplace safety and safe work practices.
• Supervises development and delivery of in-service education to equip nursing staff with sufficient knowledge and skills to provide compassionate, quality care and respect for resident rights.
• Develops positive employee relations, incentives, and recognition programs. Promotes teamwork, mutual respect, and effective communication.
• Assist in the development, maintenance and improvements of nursing service objectives, standards for nursing practice, nursing procedure manuals and written job descriptions for each level of nursing personnel.
• Provides 24-hour “on call” service to the nursing center in case of emergency.
• Promotes a safe environment within the facility, which includes fire and accident prevention, maintenance of sanitary conditions and assurance that all nursing personnel understand their roles in the event of a disaster or other disruption of services.
• Ensures adequate orientation and in-service training program is provided for all nursing personnel.
• Confers daily with the Administrator regarding current status of nursing services and submits written reports as requested.
• Ensures ethical care delivery with adherence to corporate compliance and safe business practices.
• Understands and promotes the Federal, State and company position on Abuse and Neglect prevention.
• Understands federal and state survey enforcement practice and to attain and maintain compliance; educates staff.
• Promotes nursing process and critical thinking in nursing care delivery.
• Institutes organizational structure and effective communication systems, which include all levels of nursing staff to promote effective care delivery and follow-up.
• Designs systems to plan, promote, develop, assess, interpret, validate and evaluate the implementation of clinical programs, policies, procedures and forms.
• Monitors facility incidents and complaints daily to identify those defined as unusual occurrences by State policy and promptly reports such occurrences to Administrator/Executive Director for appropriate action.
• Monitors complaint reports daily for allegations of potential abuse or neglect, or the loss or misappropriation of resident property, and participates in these investigations.
• Promotes compliance with accident prevention procedures, safety rules, and safe work practices to prevent employee injury and illness and control worker’s compensation costs.
• Ensure 24 hour services such as RN coverage compliance; abuse and neglect coordination compliance, and other services as required by federal, state, local and other governing agencies.
• Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or assigned at any time with or without notice.

Human Resource Responsibility

• Accomplishes human resources strategies by determining accountabilities; communicating and enforcing policy and procedures; implementing recruitment, selection, orientation., training, coaching, counseling, disciplinary, and communication programs; planning, monitoring appraising, and reviewing job contributions; planning and reviewing compensation strategies.
• Ensures professional staff, hold current licenses in the state of practice; that non-licensed nursing personnel providing care delivery hold current certifications after the fourth month of hire; and all nursing personnel including purchased services or contracted services providing care have criminal background checks and appropriate TB screening.
• Ensures effective departmental orientation and on-the-job training for new nursing employees.
• Ensures personnel are adequately educated to care for acute events, chronic illnesses of the frail elderly, cognitive impairment, end of life, and hospice care. In some settings, post-acute services/programs may dictate additional specialized education and competencies.
• Conducts continuing education programs and special in-service training to direct reports.
• Recruits, interviews, hires, and trains facility personnel.
• Completes evaluation of performance of direct reports at least once annually and makes recommendations for performance improvement plans for employees who fail to meet company expectations.
• Promotes and maintains pro-active, positive employee relations programs.
• Maintains frequent, daily, informal interaction and provides positive feedback to staff while they are working; Maintains open door policy in dealing with staff.
• Communicates and enforces company standards on counseling, disciplinary action, granting time-off, calling off-duty employees and/or transferring employees to cover staffing, assigning employees to specific work tasks, training, orienting, interviewing and screening prospective employees, disciplining employees who violate policies, adjusting complaints, evaluating performance, rewarding, approving time off and overtime, and attending to other supervisory duties as required.
• Manages the performance management process within the facility; coordinates with human resources department on employee compensation for merit within Company pay guidelines.
• Ensures mandatory in-service are provided annually, including but not limited to abuse prevention, documentation guidelines, corporate compliance and safe business practices, blood borne pathogens, and exposure control plan.
• Demonstrates developmental action to encourage and prepare nursing staff for advanced practice responsibilities or nurse management roles.
• Coordinates terminations of staff for performance related issues or for unethical behavior.
• Follows-up on all complaints of sexual harassment, as appropriate.
• Attends and participates in all Human Resources Workshop.

General Responsibilities

• Attends and participates in scheduled training, educational classes, and meetings to maintain current certification as applicable; Attends and participates in in-service training as mandated by regulatory agencies and company policy.
• Adheres to work schedules in completing and performing assigned tasks; completes all assigned tasks in a timely manner as instructed by the direct supervisor.
• Meets acceptable center attendance requirements; notifies facility before late arrival to or absence from work according to established center policy.
• Cooperates with other facility personnel to ensure that services can be adequately maintained to meet the needs of residents; creates and maintains an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment.
• Adheres to established employee policies.
• Adheres to established dress code.

Customer Service Responsibilities

• Models customer service principals throughout the center and promotes appreciation of our customer’s needs.
• Treats residents, residents’ family members, visitors and fellow employees with courtesy, respect, and dignity.
• Presents professional image through appearance, behavior and speech.
• Explains procedures to residents before administering services.

Residents Rights

• Understands, upholds and promotes the rights of the residents.
• Ensures residents can exercise rights without interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal from the facility.
• Ensures protected health information is kept confidential.
• Ensures resident concerns/complaints are responded to with tact and urgency.
• Reports allegations of resident abuse, neglect and/or misappropriation of resident property.
• Coordinates effective communication with Residents and Companions by assuring all arrangements for providing interpreters and/or other auxiliary aids and services needed by Residents and Responsible Party are made, including scheduling interpreters through outside agencies and scheduling staff interpreters, if any; and ensuring appropriate maintenance, repair, replacement and distribution of auxiliary aids.

Safety and Sanitation

• Follows established safety policies and procedures.
• Identifies and corrects safety hazards; reports safety concerns as required.
• Observes safety needs of residents as indicated in care plan.
• Wears and/or uses safety equipment and supplies when indicated and properly trained to use.
• Demonstrates job-specific knowledge of fire and disaster preparedness during drills or actual situations.

Staff Development

• Attends and participates in scheduled in-service training, educational classes and meetings to maintain current certification as applicable and as managed by regulatory agencies and company policies.
• Ensures that small group meetings are held per company policy.
• Communicates new Policy & Procedures and regulations to staff to ensure compliance.

Qualifications

• Currently licensed as an LVN/LPN in the state practiced.
• Associate or Bachelor Degree from an accredited nursing school preferred.
• Five years in long-term or acute health care preferred; At least 2 years nursing supervisory experience required. Travel
• As required to attend company meetings and workshops and marketing duties Principal Contacts
• Works closely with Administrator, nursing personnel, residents and/or responsible parties, facility personnel; Physicians, vendors, hospitals and community agencies.

The Rehabilitation Center of Independence provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.