Clinical Nursing Manager

Overview of the Position

The main objective of this role is to oversee the daily nursing operations within the facility during your assigned shift.

This oversight must align with the prevailing federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern our facility, as well as any directives from the Director of Nursing Services, to ensure the highest quality of care is consistently delivered.

Authority Delegation

As the Nurse Supervisor, you are entrusted with the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary to fulfill your designated duties.

Key Responsibilities

Every effort has been made to delineate the essential functions of this position.

However, this does not imply that these are the only tasks you will be expected to perform.

The absence of specific duties does not exclude them from your responsibilities if the work is similar, related, or essential to the position.

Administrative Duties

• Assist the Director of Nursing Services in managing the daily nursing operations in accordance with current regulations and guidelines.
• Contribute to the development, maintenance, and revision of written policies and procedures governing the nursing service department.
• Ensure that reference materials at the nursing stations are up-to-date and recommend resources that support the nursing service department's daily needs.
• Maintain the Nursing Service Procedures Manual to ensure it accurately reflects the nursing procedures performed in the facility.
• Ensure compliance with the procedures outlined in the Nursing Service Procedures Manual by all nursing personnel.
• Prepare written and oral reports or recommendations for the Director regarding the nursing service department's operations.
• Regularly review department policies, procedure manuals, and job descriptions, making recommendations for updates as necessary.
• Assist in coordinating nursing services with other resident services to ensure continuity of care.
• Ensure adherence to job descriptions by all nursing personnel.
• Participate in the development and implementation of the facility's quality assurance program for the nursing service department.
• Engage in facility surveys conducted by authorized government agencies as requested.
• Review and update residents' discharge plans as required.
• Assist in planning the nursing services component of residents' discharge plans as necessary.
• Conduct meetings with nursing staff and support personnel to plan departmental services and activities.
• Manage the admission, transfer, and discharge of residents as required.
• Complete incident reports as necessary.
• Interpret departmental policies and procedures to personnel, residents, visitors, and regulatory agencies as required.
• Perform administrative tasks such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, and charting as necessary.

Committee Participation

• Attend various facility committee meetings as required.
• Assist in preparing reports on nursing service programs and activities for submission to committees as directed.
• Provide information to the Quality Assurance and Assessment Committee as requested.
• Participate in developing agendas for Care Plan Committee meetings as necessary.
• Engage in regular reviews of discharge plans and make them available to the Care Plan Committee as required.
• Implement recommendations from established committees as directed.

Personnel Management

• Ensure adequate staffing of licensed practical and/or registered nurses during your shift to maintain quality care.
• Ensure sufficient CNA/GNA staffing to meet the daily nursing care needs of residents.
• Develop work assignments and assist in task completion.
• Delegate authority and responsibility to LPNs or RNs for their assigned duties.
• Ensure nurse aide trainees are supervised by a licensed practical nurse.
• Conduct daily rounds to ensure nursing personnel are fulfilling their assignments according to accepted standards.
• Monitor absenteeism to ensure adequate staffing levels and report issues to the Director.
• Ensure compliance with established policies and procedures, including dress codes, by all departmental personnel.
• Address complaints and grievances from department personnel and report to the Director as necessary.
• Foster a collaborative working relationship with inter-department personnel and other facility departments.
• Create a warm and positive environment throughout the unit and shift.
• Hold regular meetings with your shift to identify and address problem areas and improve services.
• Evaluate departmental workforce and make recommendations to the Director.
• Participate in employee performance evaluations and staffing requirements, making recommendations regarding dismissals and transfers.
• Ensure fair administration of disciplinary actions in accordance with applicable laws.
• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, and hazardous materials according to facility policies.

Nursing Care Responsibilities

• Inform nursing personnel of new admissions, their expected arrival times, and room assignments.
• Ensure readiness of rooms for new admissions.
• Welcome newly admitted residents and escort them to their rooms as necessary.
• Accompany physicians on rounds as necessary.
• Encourage timely documentation by attending physicians of progress notes and orders.
• Notify the Director of any delays in physician visits.
• Collaborate with residents, families, and physicians in planning care and treatment.
• Inform attending physicians and next-of-kin of any changes in residents' conditions.
• Conduct daily visits to residents to assess their physical and emotional status.
• Ensure that direct nursing care is provided by qualified personnel.
• Review nursing notes for accuracy and compliance with residents' wishes.
• Provide direct nursing care as necessary.
• Perform tasks such as starting IVs and obtaining lab specimens as ordered.
• Monitor vital signs as necessary.
• Manage admissions, transfers, and discharges as required.
• Report issues to the Director and assist in corrective actions.
• Keep the Director informed of residents' statuses through reports.
• Assist in monitoring seriously ill residents with the Charge Nurse.
• Authorize restraint use in accordance with facility policies and regulations.
• Ensure compliance with medication administration procedures by all nursing staff.
• Monitor medication administration and treatment schedules for adherence.
• Review medication records for completeness and accuracy.
• Inspect nursing service treatment areas for cleanliness and safety.
• Ensure frequent checks on residents unable to call for help.
• Meet with residents and family members as necessary and report issues to the Director.
• Assist in arranging transportation for discharged residents as necessary.
• Notify family members of residents' deaths as required.

Staff Development

• Participate in the development and scheduling of in-service training classes for nursing staff.
• Implement an effective orientation program for new employees.
• Provide leadership training for LPNs and RNs.
• Encourage attendance at external training programs for nursing staff.
• Assist in developing and revising nursing assistant training curricula.
• Support clinical supervision for nurse aide trainees.
• Contribute to annual in-service training programs for the facility.
• Assist in developing training programs on advance directives for staff and the community.
• Collaborate with support services to develop relevant in-service training programs.
• Ensure compliance with continuing education requirements for licensed personnel.
• Engage in continuing education programs to stay current in the profession.

Safety and Sanitation

• Assist in developing safety standards for the nursing service department.
• Support the Director in identifying and evaluating job-related functions for safety.
• Ensure personnel receive appropriate training for tasks involving potential exposure to blood or body fluids.
• Maintain an adequate supply of personal protective equipment for staff.
• Ensure compliance with established procedures for the use and disposal of protective equipment.
• Monitor personnel adherence to safety regulations in equipment use.
• Ensure cleanliness and sanitation in nursing service work areas.
• Ensure that resident care rooms and treatment areas are maintained in a safe and sanitary manner.
• Ensure compliance with hand hygiene procedures by nursing personnel.
• Participate in fire safety and disaster preparedness drills.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of the infection control program.
• Ensure adherence to infection control procedures during isolation precautions.
• Assist in reporting hazardous conditions or equipment issues.
• Ensure personnel use safety equipment when lifting or moving residents.
• Report any missing or illegible labels and MSDSs to the safety officer.

Equipment and Supply Management

• Recommend equipment and supply needs to the Director.
• Maintain adequate stock levels of medications and medical supplies.
• Assist in developing a preventive maintenance program for nursing service equipment.
• Participate in the development of safe operation procedures for nursing service equipment.
• Ensure only trained personnel operate nursing service equipment.
• Monitor the safe operation of nursing service equipment by all personnel.
• Ensure efficient use of nursing service supplies to minimize waste.
• Maintain appropriate MSDSs for hazardous chemicals used in the nursing service department.

Care Plan and Assessment Responsibilities

• Participate in developing assessments of residents' nursing needs.
• Contribute to the creation of written care plans for residents.
• Encourage resident participation in care plan development and review.
• Review care plans for appropriateness and necessary revisions.
• Ensure all personnel involved in resident care are aware of the care plan.
• Review nursing notes to confirm adherence to care plans.
• Assist in planning and revising the MDS, including RAPs and Triggers.
• Review treatments to ensure compliance with care plans and resident wishes.

Budget and Planning Responsibilities

• Stay informed of economic conditions and recommend adjustments to nursing services as needed.
• Advise the Director on equipment needs for the nursing service department.

Resident Rights Advocacy

• Ensure nursing personnel understand residents' rights and responsibilities.
• Address resident complaints and grievances, reporting actions taken to the Director.
• Maintain records of resident complaints and their resolutions.
• Investigate allegations of resident abuse or misappropriation of property.
• Ensure nursing staff respect residents' treatment refusal requests in accordance with facility policies.
• Adhere to all HIPAA requirements.

Working Environment

• Work in various areas of the facility, including nursing service areas.
• Engage with residents, personnel, visitors, and regulatory agencies under diverse conditions.
• Communicate with medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department directors.
• Be available for emergency call-backs as needed.
• Participate in continuing education programs.
• Maintain communication with residents, families, and support departments to address residents' needs.

Qualifications

• Nursing degree from an accredited institution or graduation from an approved LPN/LVN program.

Experience Requirements

• A minimum of one year of supervisory experience in a healthcare setting.
• Training in rehabilitative and restorative nursing practices is required.

Specific Qualifications

• Must hold a current, unencumbered RN or LPN/LVN license in the state.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English is essential.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills to provide age-appropriate care.
• Ability to work collaboratively and exemplify teamwork.
• Capability to make independent decisions when necessary.
• Knowledge of nursing and medical practices, as well as relevant laws and regulations.
• Leadership and supervisory skills with a commitment to teamwork.
• Ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret care programs and policies.
• Willingness to explore and integrate new methods and principles into nursing practices.
• Ability to communicate information regarding residents' conditions effectively.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

(With or Without Reasonable Accommodation)

• Must be able to move throughout the workday.
• Must have adequate vision and hearing or use prosthetics to meet job requirements.
• Must meet health requirements set by facility policies, which may include medical evaluations.
• This position may require lifting residents or equipment, with a minimum of 5 pounds and a maximum of 45 pounds as needed.

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