UNIT MANAGER LPN/RN

Unit Manager

Under the supervision of the Assistant Director of Nursing or Director of Nursing, the Unit Manager has authority, responsibility, and accountability for the overall management of residents on a designated unit. The Unit Manager is responsible for directing, coordinating, and supervising the activities of nursing staff engaged in specific nursing practices and is responsible for transmitting each unit's staff concerns to the appropriate department supervisor. Demonstrates ability to perform job functions of a Certified Nursing Assistant, Licensed Practical Nurse, and Registered Nurse, as needed.

Essential Duties

1. Perform various duties to provide quality nursing care to residents to maintain or attain the highest practical level of functioning as illustrated by the following:

• Plans effective administration of nursing care in cooperation with other health-related disciplines on each unit.
• Responsible for assessment of resident needs, development and implementation of comprehensive Care Plan. Consults with residents' physician in planning resident care. Periodically reviews and updates comprehensive Care Plan.
• Evaluates incidents and determines emergency measures to be used. Assesses and directs emergency treatment to residents and staff involved in accidents. If necessary, notifies the physician and the appropriate persons. Completes the incident report with causes investigated and corrective actions taken and/or suitable recommendations made to avoid recurrence, for review by the Facility Quality Assurance Committee. Updates the Care Plan with new interventions.
• Supervises planning of daily assignments for personnel on the unit.
• Conforms to established policies and procedures and maintains staff awareness of these in their daily work.
• Schedules and leads staff conferences to promote initiative and solve resident care oriented problems.
• Works with interdisciplinary team members in developing a discharge plan for individual residents and assists in achieving discharge planning.
• Assists in orienting and directing new staff.
• Maintains accurate records of resident care and related statistics as required.
• Reviews and interprets work performance against accepted standards. Responsible for completion of performance evaluations of nursing staff. May review and provide input for performance evaluations for nursing staff on alternate shifts. Completes proficiency audits for nurses and assigns and reviews audits for Certified Nursing Assistants.
• Directs requisitions of equipment and supplies and encourages proper utilization of same.
• May provide input to the appropriate staff in planning nursing in-service programs and on-the-unit conferences based upon an assessment of staff's learning needs and/or resident care problems.
• Handles resident or staff grievances and/or refers them to the appropriate department supervisor.
• Is available for emergencies and assistance to nursing staff as needed.
• Communicates and acts as a liaison among residents, family, physicians, and staff.
• Accompanies physicians on rounds, examinations, and treatments, as needed.
• Informs the Charge Nurse and Director of Nursing Services of pertinent information concerning resident status, staff actions, employee attitudes, and suggestions.
• Conducts resident rounds to assess and/or supervise nursing care, assess condition of residents, and promote a safe, clean, comfortable environment.
• Receives reports from personnel on previous shift and verifies that the continuity of care continues by staff on next shift.
• Participates in Nursing Management Meetings, HART Team Meetings, and Comprehensive Care Plan Conferences.
• May provide input in formulating nursing policies and procedures.
• Notifies the resident's physician, family, and/or health care agent of any change in the resident's condition.

2. Establishes and maintains resident care systems per standardized procedure that are consistent throughout the Facility. These include:

• Unit Management System for group assignments and nursing assistant responsibilities.
• Restraint Reduction System to verify restraints are at a minimum, and that restraints are released at least every two hours, or per Care Plan. Restraint releases are to occur on the unit at the same time or per Care Plan, and be observed by a licensed staff member.
• Turning and Positioning System to verify schedules are followed every two hours or per Care Plan.
• Resident Ambulation System to verify residents adhere to their ambulation program.
• Scheduling system to verify scheduling for nurses and CNAs is completed in a fair and consistent manner.
• Nourishment/Supplements System to verify nourishments/supplements are passed according to developed schedule.
• Cleanliness System to verify that environment is clean, orderly, and organized. Verifies cleaning schedules are in writing and audited daily.
• Infection Control System to verify that appropriate infection control protocol is followed.
• Pharmacy System to verify correct meds are received timely, meds are discarded timely and properly and costs are appropriate for resident payer sources; and med room and med carts are monitored for policy compliance.
• Lab System to verify labs are drawn timely, and in accordance with doctors orders.
• Reviews Change of Condition/24-Hour Report daily and deletes residents from the report as needed.

Standard Requirements

1. Supports the Mission, Values, and Vision of the Facility.

2. Is knowledgeable of resident rights and supports an atmosphere which allows for the privacy, dignity, and well-being of all residents in a safe, secure environment.

3. Supports, cooperates with, and implements specific procedures and programs for: OSHA and safety, including standard precautions and safe work practices, established fire/safety/disaster plans, risk management, and security, report and/or correct unsafe working conditions, equipment repair and maintenance needs.

4. Adheres to:

• Confidentiality of all data, including resident, employee, and operations data.
• HIPAA regulations
• Quality Assurance requirements and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Compliance with current law and policy to provide a work environment free from sexual harassment and illegal and discriminatory behavior.
• Code of Conduct and Compliance Program when performing work functions.

5. Supports and participates in common teamwork:

• Cooperates and works together with all co-workers; plans and completes job duties with minimal supervisory direction, including appropriate judgment.
• Uses tactful, appropriate communications in sensitive and emotional situations.
• Follows up as appropriate with supervisor, co-workers, or residents regarding reported complaints, problems, and concerns.
• Promotes positive public relations with residents, family members, and guests.
• Completes requirements for in-service training, acceptable attendance, uniform and dress codes including personal hygiene, and other work duties as assigned.
• Participates as assigned in the orientation of new staff and demonstrates a positive, helpful, and enthusiastic attitude.

6. Immediately reports incidents of alleged resident abuse or neglect or alleged violations of residents' rights to Director of Nursing or Executive Director.

7. Knowledgeable of age-specific developmental factors specific to adult and geriatric residents (i.e. physical, cognitive, and socialization factors) in planning delivery of care.

8. Maintains current practice standards or changes by participating in educational opportunities provided by the Facility and outside resources.

Other Duties

Provides hands-on nursing care to residents as needed as a registered professional nurse, consistent with the state's Nurse Practice Act. Perform tasks which are supportive in nature to the essential functions of the job, but which may be altered or redesigned depending upon individual circumstances. Performs other work duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education/Training: Maintains a current, valid license as a registered/licensed professional nurse in good standing. Must have current CPR certification.

A.D.A (Americans with Disabilities Act) REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to bend, stoop, push, pull, and walk and stand for most of the working day. Requires manual dexterity sufficient to provide hands-on care to residents as well as to operate standard office machines such as fax, telephone, etc. Requires normal range of hearing and vision. Must be free from communicable diseases that pose a "direct threat" to the health or safety of others and which cannot be eliminated by a reasonable accommodation. Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds, and transfer and transport residents. Must be able to carry and transport supplies. Must be able to pass a post-offer, pre-employment physical health examination as a condition of employment. Must be capable of performing the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations.

Skill(s): Proficient reading, writing, grammar, and mathematics skills; proficient interpersonal relations and communicative skills; knowledge of drug interactions, side effects, and incompatibilities; decision-making skill; proficient assessment skills; basic computer skills; able to operate various medical and office equipment; auditory and visual skills. Must be able