RN Unit Manager

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the Director of Nurses at the Care Center, the RN Unit Manager is responsible for providing professional nursing care, assessments, and evaluations to each resident. This role involves managing the nursing activities performed by Care Center staff, ensuring that the highest quality of care is consistently maintained. The RN Unit Manager will oversee the nursing units and collaborate with a staff team that includes Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). This oversight is conducted in accordance with The Joint Commission (TJC), as well as federal, state, and local guidelines, along with organizational and departmental policies and procedures. This position also includes being part of the RN weekend on-call rotation to ensure continuous RN coverage. The RN Unit Manager will communicate with medical staff, various departments, and external agencies while maintaining confidentiality. As a member of the Care Center staff, this position is expected to meet the standards outlined in the Care Center Staff Commitment Statement. The role requires self-motivation, creativity, and the ability to function effectively in a semi-autonomous capacity within a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE

Leadership Functions

1. Exemplifies effective leadership in the Care Center, setting a strong example for all. 
2. Cultivates a welcoming atmosphere for both new and existing employees, fostering a sense of belonging. 
3. Actively listens to ensure that every individual’s voice is valued and heard. 
4. Encourages engagement among residents, staff, and families to strengthen community relationships. 
5. Facilitates conflict management while respecting diversity, strengths, and others’ ideas.
6. Utilizes exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to effectively connect with staff, families, providers, and residents. 
7. Serves as a dedicated coach, prioritizing a resident-centered approach in all care processes. 
8. Guides Care Center staff to align their routines with residents' preferences and desires, enhancing satisfaction and care quality. 
9. Ensures that documentation in electronic medical records aligns with the nursing process.
10. Actively participates in daily clinical meetings, sharing vital information with the interdisciplinary team (IDT) regarding changes in resident conditions, family concerns, and new orders. 
11. Provides pivotal clinical oversight of nursing practices in the Care Center, ensuring the unit manager is visible at least 75% of the time to foster a strong, supportive presence. 

Medication and Treatment Administration Function

1. Ensures that all medications and treatments are administered safely and accurately in accordance with the provider’s orders.
2. Upholds the highest standards of adherence to facility policies and procedures related to medication administration, fostering a culture of safety. 
3. Proactively manages risk by promptly addressing any medication errors and engaging in performance improvement initiatives, reinforcing our commitment to quality care.
4. Vigilantly monitors residents for any adverse events, ensuring timely and appropriate reporting to enhance resident safety.
5. Follows facility procedures that allow residents to self-administer their medications. Completes or delegates the self-administration assessment during the initial evaluation, quarterly, and whenever there are changes in conditions, to ensure that the resident is capable of self-medication.
6. Diligently oversees the use of psychotropic medications in compliance with established policies in the Care Center, ensuring the best outcomes for all residents.
7. Keeps providers well-informed regarding behavioral issues and the effectiveness of prescribed medications, facilitating informed decision-making.
8. Collaborates with the care team to strategically time the administration of medications and treatments, seamlessly integrating them into residents' daily routines for maximum effectiveness.
9. Supports continuous improvement by assisting in competency evaluations for licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants, promoting the highest level of care
10. Prepares documentation of behaviors, changes in mood, and ongoing behavioral monitoring for psychotropic medication meeting monthly.

Personal Care Functions

1. Effectively admit, discharge, and transfer residents to and from the Care Center, ensuring a smooth transition at every step.
2. Proactively arrange provider visits, share vital information about the resident with the provider, and initiate new orders to enhance care quality.
3. Keep families engaged and informed about the resident's condition, fostering trust and collaboration.
4. Regularly observe nursing care and interact with residents and their families to guarantee that nursing care meets the highest standards and aligns with the care plan and family preferences.
5. Identify and swiftly resolve any care-related issues or concerns raised by residents, families, or staff, promoting a supportive environment.
6. Meet bi-weekly with certified nursing assistants to discuss residents' progress toward their goals in restorative nursing.
7. Monitor and evaluate certified nursing assistants performing their tasks with residents, documenting their progress toward goals monthly to ensure accountability and improvement.

Care Planning Function

1. Develop a thorough understanding of the MatrixCare electronic medical record system and case mix Resource Utilization Groups (RUGs).
2. Actively participate in care planning meetings to ensure a collaborative approach.
3. Engage residents, families, and staff in the data collection process whenever possible, fostering a sense of involvement and ownership in their care.
4. Responsively incorporate assessment data into the care plan whenever acute changes in a resident’s condition are identified.
5. Lead care conferences in the absence of the MDS (Minimum Data Set) nurse, as well as during the initial, quarterly, and significant change multidisciplinary care planning processes.
6. Collaborate with the MDS nurse in crafting a robust care plan that articulates clear problems with measurable goals, tailored to reflect the resident’s unique status.
7. Vigilantly ensure the implementation of the care plan for each resident, guaranteeing that their individual needs are met within the care center.
8. Conduct regular audits of care plans to verify they accurately represent the current needs of residents, promoting high standards of care.
9. Systematically evaluate residents' progress toward achieving their goals and update the care plan as needed, ensuring continuous improvement in their well-being.

Documentation Functions 

1. Completes required assessments on all new residents within 24 hours of admission. 
2. Swiftly delegate or develop a short-term care plan for each new resident within the same 24-hour timeframe, fostering tailored support and effective treatment.
3. Consistently follow facility policies and procedures for documentation, reflecting our commitment to quality and compliance.
4. Accurately and comprehensively document all interventions and responses to ensure the best outcomes for our residents.
5. Efficiently process and transcribe provider orders, implementing them in accordance with established policies to maintain high standards of care.
6. Meticulously chart all incidents involving residents, promptly notifying providers and families as required to uphold transparency and trust.
7. Complete all admission, transfer, and necessary forms according to established procedures to streamline processes and provide exceptional care. 

Personnel Functions

1. Actively enhances and advises on all aspects of personnel management within the facility, focusing on effective hiring, comprehensive training, and meaningful mentoring.
2. Communicates vital information clearly and appropriately with facility staff to ensure everyone is informed and aligned.
3. Plays a crucial role in confirming that the licensed nurse and nursing assistant possess the necessary qualifications to carry out essential nursing care procedures. 
4. Adheres to the Nurse Practice Act, applying recognized standards of clinical practice as mandated by the state of Georgia.
5. Exercises sound judgment in managing staff replacements due to illness or absence, ensuring continuity of care and support for the team.
6. Proactively identifies performance issues among staff and fosters improvement through constructive feedback, coaching, counseling, and, when necessary, disciplinary measures.
7. Primarily responsible for assisting and providing vital support to the unit when a licensed nurse is not available, ensuring smooth operations and quality care.

Performance Improvement Functions  

1. Identifies problems and ensures that quality standards are met and maintained.
2. Provides critical data to the performance improvement team promptly and efficiently as requested.
3. Actively participates in the Care Center Quality Assurance Performance Improvement Committee meetings.
4. Compiles infection control data diligently and ensures that all staff rigorously follow established infection control protocols.

Education Functions

1. Independently seeks educational opportunities through workshops, in-services, and professional journals. 
2. Provides knowledge and skills during in-service sessions, assists in the orientation of newly hired staff, and engages in daily interactions and educational sessions with staff. 
3. Effectively identifies and addresses staff training needs to support their professional growth. 
4. Embarks on a continuous learning journey, demonstrating a strong personal and professional development commitment. 
5. Demonstrates a commitment to the development of residents, families, staff, and others.
6. Consistently meets educational requirements to uphold certification and licensure, ensuring the highest standards of care and education.

Minimum Level of Education: Education level equivalent to high school completion and completion of Registered Nurse Training course of study.

Formal Training: Management skills with experience in planning, organizing, implementing, facilitating, interviewing, counseling, and both verbal and written communications. Demonstrated leadership abilities to help develop and motivate staff. Possess the knowledge and ability to plan and oversee resource utilization and design efficient work processes. Additionally, must possess good critical thinking and problem-solving skills and can prioritize responsibilities while remaining flexible while working under stressful situations. Must be self-directed and work autonomously.

Licensure, Certification, Registration: Must have and maintain an unencumbered Georgia Registered Nurse license and Basic Life Support CPR certification.

Work Experience: A minimum of 2 years of long-term care experience is required.