Assistant Director of Nursing

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Assistant Director of Nursing must be a strong collaborative partner with the Director of Nursing, the Executive Director or Nursing Home Administrator, the Interdisciplinary Team/Staff, and Therapy to lead the team to clinical excellence. The Assistant Director of Nursing will ensure patient satisfaction and achieve favored clinical outcomes.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assess the overall health status of patients to determine appropriate services and level of care for assigned patients.

• Perform daily quality assurance rounds and visit each patient no less than weekly.

• Provide consultation to licensed nurses regarding policies, procedures, and patient care and clinical monitoring.

• Assures implementation of patient care policies and procedures.

• Reviews individual infection reports

• Assurance appropriate/monitoring interventions are conducted.

• Calculates monthly and quarterly infection rates.

• Makes recommendations to quality assurance committee for program improvement.

• Annually reviews policies and procedures and reports to quality assurance committee.

• Maintains required records.

• Conducts infection control audit activities

• Assures patient/employee immunization programs are adhered to.

• Monitors systems for OSHA compliance.

• Assures clinical standards of practice are monitored.

• Makes recommendation for continuous quality improvement.

• Assist with the development of monitors and indicators for evaluation of quality improvement.

• Maintains current state and federal regulations, which affect patient care and facility operation knowledge.

• Participates in periodic surveys by the State of Michigan and LARA.

• Monitors patient medical record documentation for adherence to legal and regulatory requirements, as well as best practices.

• Maintains regular communication with the director of nursing.

• Keeps management appraised of issues/situations with potential for litigation.

• Is available as resource to staff/nursing management.

• Participates in evening, night and weekend call and associated responsibilities.

• Supports corporate and management decisions.

• Attends administrative management meetings as assigned.

• Participates in quality assurance committee.

• Display positive and professional image, acting as a spokesperson for the facility.

• Conduct facility tours to interested persons and prospective patients as needed.

• Communicate and collaborate with other health care institutions, as feasible, to enhance educational and other programs for the benefit of personnel and patients.

• Maintain current knowledge of scope of practice for self and support staff.

• Seek opportunities for personal and professional growth, related to clinical standards of practice, gerontology, rehabilitation, hospice, organization theory, management, regulatory agencies, interpersonal skills, infection control and teaching techniques.

• Adheres to the nurse practice act.

• Display courteous, cooperative, helpful manner with patients, visitors and other employees.

• Serves as a role model for all nursing personnel.

• Maintain own professional requirements for continuing education and staff development by participating in work related seminars, etc.

• Review audits by medical records staff and makes corrections.

• Coordinates restorative programs with specialized therapies.

• Assists staff in accurate documentation of required data for comprehensive assessments.

• Provides supervision of charge nurses and C.N.A.’s.

• Knows and follows existing lines of communication and authority.

• Adhere to patient rights and report suspected deviations to the director of nursing and/or abuse coordinator.

• Maintains confidentiality in accordance with HIPPA guidelines.

• Serves as charge nurse when assigned by director of nursing.

• Serves as director of nursing in absence of director of nursing.

Required/Desired Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

• At a minimum must be a Licensed Registered Nurse graduate from an accredited school of nursing with a current license to practice in the State of Michigan in good standing preferred.

• Two years’ experience in geriatric or long-term care nursing, or hospice care and two years in supervisory role or administrative role.

Knowledge and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of general nursing principles and understanding of the concepts of aging and concerns of the elderly population and those with a health condition requiring post-acute clinical care intervention.

• Knowledge of State and Federal health regulations and clinical standards of practice.

• Knowledge of nursing standards and delivery systems, supervision, management, staff development, quality assurance and infection control practices.

• Ability to assess the effectiveness of nursing care and personnel performance.

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

• Displays positive professional image and enhance positive public relations for the facility.

• Basic business computer knowledge preferred.

Other Special Requirements:

Environmental Conditions: Works primarily indoors in a climate-controlled setting. There is the potential for exposure to blood, body tissues and fluids with occasional exposure to hazardous materials and infectious diseases. Exposure to chemicals is occasional. Must be able to smell smoke or other noxious odors. There is known stress associated in performing tasks for patients who are terminally ill or may have cognitive impairments or inappropriate behaviors. 

Equipment used: At a minimum use of writing implements, computer, medical chart holders, weight scales, needles, syringes, emergency care of equipment, stethoscope, thermometer, infusion pumps, glucometers, feeding devices, oximeters, blood pressure devices, protective barrier equipment, restraint devices, anti-pressure devices, wheelchairs, telephone call systems, security or personal alarm systems. 

EMERGENCY SITUATIONS 

In the event of an emergency, employee must be physically able to assist in patient evacuations and life support procedures.

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