Lpn Unit Manager

ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS

A. Job Knowledge and Role Responsibilities:

1. Demonstrates knowledge of age specific developmental factors specific to adult and geriatric residents (i.e. physical, cognitive, and socialization factors) in planning delivery of care.

2. Demonstrates knowledge, skills, and techniques necessary to care for residents with the following needs: therapeutic, neuro & dementia, dialysis, IV therapy, infectious disease, and wound care if applicable.

3. Provides nursing care in accordance with Resident Care Policies and Procedures and ensures accountability for the safety and well-being of residents is maintained.

4. Attends all mandatory inservices by employee’s anniversary date.

5. Maintains and updates New York State license in compliance with New York State regulations.

6. Acts appropriately under the direction of the Assistant Director of Nursing/Director of Nursing and acts as an active member of the interdisciplinary team.

7. Demonstrates ability to adjust to changes in units/shift assignments and meet resident and facility needs.

8. Responds appropriately to behavioral, medical and fire safety situations.

9. Demonstrates knowledge and ability to direct and maintain the day to day delivery of care on a specialized dementia unit, as appropriate.

10. Successfully completes facility-conducted orientation of specialized dementia unit, as appropriate.

11. Demonstrates knowledge of and complies with the Code of Conduct and Corporate Compliance program when performing work functions.

B. Resident Care Responsibilities:

1. Makes daily rounds for all areas of nursing care under his/her supervision, including visiting residents to evaluate immediate physical and emotional condition related to resident needs and problems, and implementing necessary nursing interventions.

2. Delegates nursing and non-nursing care of residents during the shift to nursing personnel through work assignments.

3. Assists in assessing level and number of personnel assigned to the unit. Makes recommendations regarding such personnel for better resident care and utilization of such personnel.

4. Reviews and documents medical records, resident care plans, consultant recommendations and staff assignments.

5. Provides nursing care on the unit when necessary and cooperates with other members of the medical care team in coordinating residents’ total needs.

6. Identifies and studies nursing service problems and assists in their solutions.

7. Observes nursing care and visits residents to ensure that nursing care is carried out as directed and treatments and medications are administered in accordance with physician’s instructions.

8. Operates or supervises operation of specialized equipment on the unit.

9. Supervises assigned nursing personnel including responsibility for instruction, assignment, direction, performance assessment, discipline and dismissal of these assigned employees. Works cooperatively with other assigned supervisors on the unit to ensure satisfactory work performance of all unit employees.

10. Directs, prepares and maintains all resident records, both clinical and state mandated, according to required timeframes.

11. Establishes a health record for each resident and ensures that written notations are made promptly of significant changes affecting:

a) Level of activity

b) Eating habits

c) Physical, mental and emotional status

12. Completes the following duties:

a) Reports to replacement on next shift the condition of residents or any unusual actions taken.

b) Compiles daily report on care and condition of residents. This includes ensuring that changes in resident condition are relayed to the supervisor, physician and family.

c) Accompanies the physician on rounds to answer questions and receive updated or new orders.

d) Attends Resident Care Conferences for interdisciplinary discussion.

e) Reviews laboratory and x-ray reports and notifies physician of significant changes.

f) Attends meetings of supervisory and administrative staff.

g) Assists with studies related to improvement of nursing care.

h) Ensures established inventory standards for medications, solutions, supplies, and equipment (i.e. narcotics, syringes, and digital thermometers).

13. Follows established systems, e.g:

a) Ensures that restraints are released and residents are repositioned as per Care Plan.

b) Ensures that all restraint orders are reviewed by the Director of Nursing prior to implementation of the order.

c) Ensures Skin Care Policies and Procedures are implemented and changes in skin condition are documented. Completes pressure sore records as assigned.

d) Ensures that all residents are out of bed according to established Care Plan. If a resident does not get out of bed, obtains physician order for bed rest after approval by the Director of Nursing.

e) Ensures that ambulation occurs as an observed system (i.e. before a meal into the dining room).

f) Follows all policies regarding administration and monitoring of psycho active drugs and completes the Behavior Monitoring record per facility policy.

14. Monitors environment:

a) Periodically reviews that resident rooms, therapeutic equipment, and nursing areas are clean and orderly.

b) Ensures that a cleaning schedule is developed and implemented on each shift.

15. Writes and reviews documentation:

a) Conducts periodic reviews to match Care Plans with monthly summaries, Nursing Assistant Care Sheets, Nursing Assistant Worksheets, Treatment Sheets and Physician Orders.

b) Ensures that Care Plans are used when writing summary notes and ensures Nursing Summary or Care Plan reflects whether or not the goals have been reached as set forth in the Care Plan.

16. Conducts prevention activities:

a) Conducts audits to ensure the Pressure Sore Treatment protocol is being used.

b) Conducts periodic reviews to ensure all residents with decubitus and/or at high risk of decubitus have a preventive device on the bed and in the chair.

c) Documents a pressure sore immediately upon observation on pressure sore record.

17. Oversees meals/supplements:

a) Manages resident meal times and ensures staff have completed lunch/ breaks prior to resident meal times.

b) Ensures rounds are made during the meal to assist those needing intermittent supervision.

c) Checks residents before/after meal time to ensure they are clean, groomed, and dry.

d) Documents meal consumption at the end of each meal.

e) Ensures Nursing Assistants have assigned residents for feeding.

f) Ensures supplements are passed within 20-30 minutes from removal from the refrigerator/arrival, and documented immediately after consumption.

C. Quality of Care/Restorative Nursing/Rehab Principles:

1. Demonstrates knowledge of each resident’s historical and diagnostic data in relation to its impact on nursing care.

2. Observes and assesses the total resident focusing on all body systems, skin integrity, weight, and hydration status and reports changes in resident condition promptly to the Supervisor and in writing on the 24 hour report sheet.

3. Gathers baseline information to identify potential and acute problems and thoroughly and accurately completes all areas of the nursing admission assessment and monthly summary. Ensures inventory of personal effects is signed upon admission.

4. Demonstrates knowledge of each resident’s therapy schedule and those persons responsible for implementation and management of those services.

5. Prepares for and attends team and family conferences in a professional, supportive manner as assigned.

6. Ensures that a thorough and comprehensive verbal and written report is given to the on-coming shift at conclusion of duty.

7. Documents resident care according to Resident Care Policies and Procedures.

8. Communicates with nursing and clinical personnel on the implementation of the resident Care Plan and facilitates carry over of the plan through verbal and written communication with other shifts.

9. Assists in teaching residents and families. Provides needed information based on the assessment care plan, clinician guidance and physician recommendations as appropriate.

D. Role Responsibilities-Interpersonal skills:

1. Is aware of, and adheres to, Resident’s Bill of Rights and Confidentiality of Resident Information.

2. Interacts with residents and family members, co-workers, clinical and ancillary staff in non-judgmental, supportive and calm manner.

3. Address family satisfaction issues immediately and assists in resolving the matter in a professional manner.

4. Is aware of Resident Abuse Reporting Law.

5. Participates as assigned in the orientation of new staff and demonstrates a positive, helpful and enthusiastic attitude.

E. Role Responsibilities-Safety:

1. Demonstrates ability to locate emergency equipment (i.e. emergency oxygen tank.)

2. Understands and demonstrates knowledge of role in Fire and Disaster drills.

3. Demonstrates ability to identify and respond appropriately to potential behavioral outbursts.

4. Uses facility equipment safely.

5. Recognizes, removes, and/or reports potential hazards.

F. Role Responsibilities-Infection Control:

1. Demonstrates knowledge of and implements Universal Precautions.

2. Washes hands between resident contacts as appropriate.

3. Handles linen and disposes of waste properly.

5. Demonstrates ability to care for residents on isolation precautions.

5. Demonstrates knowledge of correct positioning/care of catheters and drainage.

G. Role Responsibilities-Resident Dignity:

1. Addresses residents in a respectful manner.

2. Discusses confidential resident information in appropriate areas only.

3. Knocks on door prior to entering resident rooms, and maintains resident privacy and dignity when providing treatments or other resident care.

H. Other Duties as Assigned by Assistant Director of Nursing or Director of Nursing.

I. Physical Requirements:

“Occasionally” equals approximately 1% to 33% of the workday, “Frequently” equals approximately 34% to 66% of the workday, and “Continuously” equals approximately 67% to 100% of the workday (Typical full-time workday is 7.5 hours).

1. ob Requirements: In number of hours per day.

a) Sit 2 to 3

b) Stand 4 to 5

c) Walk 4 to 5

2. Movements:

a) Bend/stoop Frequently

b) Squat/crouch/kneel Frequently

c) Crawl Occasionally

d) Reaching Frequently

e) Balancing Frequently

f) Pushing/pulling Continuously

3. Weight Carried:

a) Up to 34 pounds Continuously

b) 35 to 50 pounds Frequently

c) 51 to 100 pounds Frequently

d) 100+ pounds Occasionally with assistance*

*Assistance can include mechanical devices, equipment or human assistance.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

1. Is a graduate of an accredited school of Licensed Practical Nursing.

2. Currently licensed as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the State of New York.

3. Successfully completed facility conducted orientation, mandatory training and inservice programs.

4. Previous work experience in a long term care setting. Supervisory experience and organizational skills in a long term care setting preferred.

5. Must meet health assessment requirements, including two stage Mantoux skin test.

6. Is listed in good standing as confirmed on the New York State Department of Professional Credentialing.

7. Possesses excellent technical assessment, documentation skills, and leadership qualities.

8. Possesses good communication skills and is patient and self-disciplined.

9. Is willing to commit to an interdisciplinary treatment approach to rehabilitation by exercising sound nursing judgment based on preparation, knowledge, skills, understanding and past experience in nursing situations.

10. Must be capable of performing the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations.

11. Must be able to communicate in English, both verbally and in writing, and possess sufficient communication skills to perform the tasks required.