As the ADNS, you are the second in command of the nursing department. You will work closely with the DONS to improve the quality of patient care and services provided by your team. In their absence, you will oversee the entire team ensuring quality customer service and compliance with all federal, state and local rules and regulations, as well as the policies and procedures set by your employer.
Duties
The daily routine of the ADNS will vary depending upon the facility’s needs. However, in most instances, the ADNS is heavily involved in hiring and training a staff. This includes a nursing staff as well as nurse's aides and certified nursing assistants. Additionally, you will put together a work schedule and directly supervise the staff by monitoring the distribution of medications, blood draws and other elements of patient care. You may also have the responsibility of maintaining a budget, as well as supplies and inventory. Finally, you will develop many reports for licensing and accreditors, and periodically plan and implement staff training seminars. Do regular audits regarding nursing practices. Develop education and training for new policies and procedures. Assist with any Plan of Correction education, audits. Do daily rounds on all units. Monitor medical records for accuracy and educate on finding as applicable.
Work Environment
You will at times participate in direct patient care, as well as monitor the work of your nursing staff. You will go on rounds with them, which will require that you be on your feet for many hours throughout the day. Your work will be done mostly in the facility and in an office environment. Although you will report directly to the DON, being a part of the executive leadership team, you may also work closely with other managers such as the medical director, administrator, and admissions.
Minimum Job Skills Requirements
Administrative Functions:
Assist the Director of Nursing Services in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating and directing the day to day functions of the nursing service department, in accordance with current rules, regulations and guidelines that govern the long-term care facility. Participate in developing, maintaining, and updating our written policies and procedures that govern the day-to-day functions of the nursing service department. Ensure that reference material (i.e., PDR'S, regulations, professional standards of practice, etc.) are maintained at the nurses' stations is current. Recommend to the Director written material that will assist the nursing service department in meeting the day- to-day needs of residents. Ensure that the Nursing Service Procedures Manual is current at all times and reflects the day-to-day nursing care procedures used by this facility. Develop and periodically update nursing service objectives and statements of philosophy.
Personnel Functions:
Assist the Director in determining the staffing needs of the nursing service department. Recommend to the Director the number and level of nursing personnel to be employed. Assist the Director in the recruitment and selection of nursing service personnel. Ensure that a sufficient number of licensed practical and/or registered nurses are available for each tour of duty to ensure that quality care is maintained. Ensure that a sufficient number of certified nursing assistants are available for each tour of duty to ensure that routine nursing care is provided to meet the daily nursing care needs of each resident. Ensure that all nursing assistants are enrolled in or have graduated from an approved nursing assistant training program. Develop work assignments and schedule duty hours, and/or assist nursing supervisory staff in completing and performing such tasks. Ensure that all nurse aide trainees are under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. Schedule work assignments and duty hours. Delegate to the Charge Nurses and Nurse Supervisors the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary to perform their assigned duties. Assist the Director in preparing performance evaluations as directed. Participate in the development and implementation of performance evaluations for the nursing service department. Make daily rounds of the nursing service department to ensure that all nursing service personnel are performing their work assignments in accordance with acceptable nursing standards. Report findings to the Director. Monitor absenteeism to ensure that an adequate number of nursing care personnel are on duty at all times. Report problem areas to the Director. Monitor the professional nurses' licensing status to ensure that they remain current. Inform nurses at least 30 days in advance of their license expiration date. Review complaints and grievances made or filed by department personnel. Make appropriate reports to the Director as required or as may be necessary Ensure that all nursing personnel participate in the facility's TB testing program. Ensure that all nursing personnel participate in the facility’s TB testing program. Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures. Report known or suspected incidents of fraud to the Administrator.
Nursing Care Functions:
Ensure that departmental computer workstations left unattended are properly logged off or the password protected automatic screen-saver activates within established facility policy and guidelines, including the PASARR screenings. Provide the Director with information relative to the nursing needs of the resident and to the nursing service department's ability to meet those needs. Inform nursing service personnel of new admissions, their expected time of arrival, room assignment, etc. Ensure that rooms are ready for new admissions. Greet newly admitted residents upon admission. Escort them to their rooms as necessary. Make rounds with physicians as necessary. Inform the Director when physician visits are not made in a timely manner. Encourage attending physicians to record and sign progress notes, physicians' orders, etc., on a timely basis and in accordance with current regulations. Ensure that direct nursing care be provided by a licensed nurse, a certified nursing assistant, and/or a nurse aide trainee qualified to perform the procedure. Review nurses' notes to ensure that they are informative and descriptive of the nursing care being provided, that they reflect the resident's response to the care, and that such care is provided in accordance with the resident's wishes. Schedule daily rounds to observe residents and to determine if nursing needs are being met. Monitor medication passes and treatment schedules to ensure that medications are being administered as ordered and that treatments are provided as scheduled. Report medication errors to the Director. Provide direct nursing care as necessary. Report problem areas to the Director. Assist in developing and implementing corrective action. Authorize the use of restraints when necessary and in accordance with our established policies and procedures. Ensure that residents who are unable-to call for help are checked frequently
Staff Development:
Participate in developing, planning, conducting, and scheduling in-service training classes that provide instructions on "how to do the job," and ensure a well-educated nursing service department. Develop, implement, and maintain an effective orientation program that orients the new employee to the facility, its policies and procedures, and to his/her job position and duties. Provide leadership training that includes the administrative and supervisory principles essential for Nurse Supervisors/Charge Nurses. Encourage Nurse Supervisors/Charge Nurses to attend and participate in outside training programs. Schedule times as appropriate. Assist the Director in developing and revising the nursing assistant training curriculum used by the facility. Assist the Director in planning and conducting universal precautions in-service training. Assist the In-service Director/Educator in developing annual facility in-service training programs (e.g., OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, Infection Control, etc.). Assist the In-service Director/Educator in developing advance directive in service training programs for the staff and community. Assist support services in developing, implementing, and conducting in-service training programs that relate to the nursing service department. Assist the In-service Director/Educator in the development of in-service training programs for the nursing staff. Ensure that these programs meet the continuing education requirements that allow licensed personnel (e.g., RNs, LPNs, CNAs, etc.) to keep their license on an active status. Attend and participate in continuing education programs designed to keep you abreast of changes in your profession, as well as to maintain your license on a current status. Assist the Safety Officer in developing safety standards for the nursing service department.
Safety and Sanitation:
Assist the Director and/or Infection Control Coordinator in identifying, evaluating, and classifying routine, and job-related functions to ensure that tasks in which there is potential exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identified and recorded. Ensure that all personnel performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood/body fluids participate in appropriate in-service training programs prior to performing such tasks. Ensure that an adequate supply of personal protective equipment is on hand and readily available to personnel who perform procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids. Monitor nursing service personnel to ensure that they are following established safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies. Ensure that nursing service work areas (i.e., nurses' stations, medicine reparation rooms, etc.) are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner. Ensure that all resident care rooms, treatment areas, etc., are maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner. Ensure that all nursing service personnel follow established departmental policies and procedures, including appropriate dress codes. Ensure that nursing service personnel participate in and conduct all fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner. Assist the Infection Control Committee in the development, implementation, and revisions of written aseptic and isolation techniques. Participate in the development, implementation, and maintenance of the infection control program for monitoring communicable and/or infectious diseases among the residents and personnel. Ensure that nursing service personnel follow established infection control procedures when isolation precautions become necessary Participate in the development, implementation and maintenance of the procedures for reporting hazardous conditions or equipment. Ensure that all personnel wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies (e.g., back brace, mechanical lifts, etc.) when moving or lifting a resident. Report missing/illegible labels and MSDS’s to the safety officer or other designated person.
Equipment and Supply Functions:
Recommend to the Director the equipment and supply needs of the department. Ensure that an adequate stock level of medications, medical supplies, equipment, etc., is maintained on premises at all times, to adequately meet the needs of the resident. Assist the Maintenance Director in developing a preventive maintenance program for maintaining the nursing department's equipment and supplies in a safe and operable manner. Participate in the development and implementation of the procedures for the safe operation of all nursing service equipment. Ensure that only trained and authorized personnel operate the department's equipment. Ensure that all personnel operate nursing service equipment in a safe manner. Monitor Nursing procedures to ensure that nursing service supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste. Ensure that appropriate MSDS’s are on file for hazardous chemicals used in the nursing service department.
Care Plan and Assessment Functions:
Participate in the development of written preliminary and comprehensive assessments of the nursing needs of each resident. Assist the Resident Assessment/Care Plan Coordinator in planning, scheduling, and revising the MDS, including the implementation of RAPs and Triggers Participate in the development of a written care plan (preliminary and comprehensive) for each resident that identities the problems/needs of the resident, indicates the care to be given, goals to be accomplished, and which professional service is responsible for each element of care. Encourage the resident and his/her family to participate in the development and review of the resident's plan of care. Assist in the scheduling of care plans and assessments to be presented and discussed at each committee meeting. Ensure that all personnel involved in providing care to the resident are aware of the resident's care plan. Ensure that nursing personnel refer to the resident's care plan prior to administering daily care to the resident. Review nurses' notes to determine if the care plan is being followed. Review and revise care plans and assessments as necessary, but at least quarterly. Develop and maintain a good rapport with all services involved with the care plan to ensure that a team effort is achieved in developing the resident's comprehensive care plan. Be sure that staff members are providing care that reflects the wishes of the resident.
Budget and Planning Functions:
Participate in the preparation of and planning of the nursing service department's budget and submit to the Director for his/her review, recommendations, and/or approval. Keep abreast of economic conditions/situations, and recommend to the Director adjustments in nursing services that ensure the continued ability to provide quality care. Recommend to the Director the equipment needs of the nursing service department. Report suspected or known incidence of fraud relative to false billings, cost reports, kickbacks, etc.
Resident Rights:
Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information including protected health information. Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information. Monitor nursing care to ensure that all residents are treated fairly, and with kindness, dignity, and respect. Ensure that all nursing care is provided in privacy and that nursing service personnel knock before entering the resident's room. Ensure that all nursing service personnel are knowledgeable of the residents' responsibilities and rights including the right to refuse treatment. Review complaints and grievances made by the resident and make a written/oral report to the Director indicating what action(s) were taken to resolve the complaint or grievance. Follow facility's established procedures. Maintain a written record of the resident's complaints and/or grievances that indicates the action taken to resolve the complaint and the current status of the complaint. Ensure that appropriate notices are received by the resident before his/her room or roommate is changed. Report and investigate all allegations of resident abuse and/or misappropriation of resident property. Ensure that nursing staff personnel honor the resident's refusal of treatment request. Ensure that such requests are in accordance with the facility's policies governing advance directives. Review the facility's advance directive policies and procedures with resident and/or family members as necessary.
Performance Platform
Since being founded, Bear Mountain has been a leader in the healthcare industry. Today, Bear Mountain is a beacon of innovation, quality, and success. This continued leadership is the result of our Team Members staying true to our Vision, Mission, and Values. We expect you to demonstrate these Values:
· Performance - We're passionate about delivering exceptional healthcare and guest experiences.
· Integrity - We do the right thing, all the time.
· Transparency – We’re open, honest and straightforward in everything we do.
In addition, we expect you to demonstrate the following key attributes:
· Respect
· Honesty
· Communication
Bear Mountain Vision and Culture
Bear Mountain is a leading healthcare company, spanning the nursing home sector from Extended/Long Term Care and Short Term Rehabilitation to Neurobehavior Programs. Bear Mountain is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its facilities. Our vision “To exceed your expectation with the highest quality healthcare in a safe, clean, supportive and positive environment.” unites us as a team, our Team members put the CARE back into Healthcare, and, our amazing Team Members are at the heart of it all! We expect you to maintain and support the education of this culture.
Qualifications & Experience
Assistant Director of Nursing, you must be licensed as a registered nurse in the state in which you wish to work and have administrative and leadership experience. This can be previous experience as a nursing supervisor in a hospital or long-term care facility, or graduate level education in nursing administration. A physical exam, drug screening and criminal background check is also required.
Education Requirements:
· Must possess, as a minimum, a Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university.
Experience
· Must have, as a minimum, two (2) years of experience as a supervisor in a hospital, nursing care facility, or other related health care facility.
· Must have, as a minimu m of six (6) months experience in rehabilitative and restorative nursing practices.
Specific Requirements
· Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as a Registered Nurse in this state.
· Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language .
· Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age-related needs of the residents served.
· Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of team work and team concept.
· Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
· Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
· Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to nursing care facilities.
· Must possess leadership end supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.
· Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures, etc., that are necessary for providing quality care.
· Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents.
· Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.
· Must be able to relate information concerning a resident's condition.
· Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.