Assistant Director of Patient Care Services (RN)

Risks of Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens

The Assistant Director of Patient Care Services is exposed to high risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

Duties

Assists the Director of Patient Care Services in the planning, coordination, leading, controlling, and evaluation of patient care services
Assists in directing and supervising professional and auxiliary personnel rendering patient care services
Helps ensure that patient care services are provided in accordance with the patient’s plan of care and physician orders
Assists in evaluating the program, services, and field personnel to ensure the provision of adequate and appropriate care and services
Consults with supervisors and staff, individually or in groups, regarding patients, families, special programs, or service needs
Assists in the implementation of service goals and objectives
Helps develop and maintain standards that ensure safe and effective services to patients and families
Establishes and maintains effective channels of communication between office staff, field staff, patients, families, physicians, and other members of the health care team
Assists in ensuring that appropriate health care professionals perform patient assessments and reassessments when required, including upon significant change in condition, physician request, hospital discharge, recertification, resumption of care, transfer, or discharge
Assists in reviewing clinical documentation to ensure completeness, accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with agency policy and regulatory requirements
Assists with the coordination of patient care among nursing, therapy, social work, home health aide, and other disciplines
Participates in case conferences and assists in resolving patient care issues
Assists in identifying the need for additional services and coordinates referrals to appropriate disciplines or personnel
Consults with physicians in matters relating to patient care services
Assists in ensuring that changes in patient condition, care needs, frequency, physician orders, and plan of care updates are communicated and documented appropriately
Assists in monitoring field staff performance and compliance with agency policies, procedures, and standards of care
Participates in orientation, in-service education, continuing education, and staff development activities
Assists in training, mentoring, and supporting nursing and paraprofessional personnel
Helps keep staff informed of agency developments, needs, and changes in policies or procedures
Assists in the review and implementation of corrective action plans related to quality assurance, performance improvement, utilization review, clinical record review, complaints, incidents, and patient care concerns
Participates in Quality Assurance/Performance Improvement activities as assigned
Assists in maintaining compliance with federal, state, local, Medicare, Medicaid, and accreditation requirements
Assists in preparing for surveys, audits, and other regulatory reviews
Participates in selected conferences, workshops, and professional development activities to maintain current knowledge of community health trends, patient care standards, and regulatory requirements
Assists in fostering positive working relationships with physicians, hospitals, discharge planners, patients, families, community agencies, and other health care providers
May be requested to make home visits to assess care being rendered, evaluate patient needs, observe staff performance, or assist with patient care concerns
Acts on behalf of the Director of Patient Care Services as assigned and within scope of authority
Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Patient Care Services, Director of Nursing, Administrator, or Executive Director

Promotes Staff Development

Affords assistance in the development and implementation of orientation and staff education programs
Utilizes the capabilities of nursing, therapy, and paraprofessional personnel in improving patient care services
Recognizes leadership potential and assists in offering opportunities for staff growth and development
Encourages personnel to continue self-improvement through formal education, in-service programs, educational meetings, and participation in professional organizations
Assists with interviews, onboarding, supervision, and evaluation of selected patient care personnel as assigned

Job Conditions

The position is stressful in terms of meeting deadlines and maintaining compliance with patient care and documentation requirements
It requires minimal lifting of office records and printouts
It is primarily an office-based position involving sitting, standing, stooping, walking, and frequent telephone and written communication
Travel may be required by car or airplane to patient homes, local meetings, out-of-town seminars, conferences, or regulatory activities
Hearing, eyesight, and physical dexterity must be sufficient to perform or demonstrate patient care and to assess patient condition when required
The ability to access patient homes, which may not be routinely wheelchair accessible, is required when home visits are assigned
The ability to communicate well, both verbally and in writing, is required
On occasion, may be required to bend, stoop, reach, move patient weight up to 250 pounds, and lift and/or carry up to 30 pounds

Equipment Operation

The job requires the ability to utilize a PC, calculator, multi-line telephone, copy machine, electronic medical record system, and other related office equipment.
When performing patient care or supervisory visits, may use basic nursing equipment such as blood pressure cuff, thermometer, stethoscope, glucometer, penlight, and hand washing materials.

Company Information

Has access to all patient medical records, personnel records, patient financial accounts, and company information, which may be discussed with the Director of Patient Care Services, Director of Nursing, Administrator, Executive Director, Quality Assurance/Performance Improvement personnel, and other management staff as appropriate.

Qualifications

Must be a Registered Nurse licensed in the State
A Bachelor’s degree in Nursing or related health care field is preferred
Must have at least one year of supervisory or administrative experience in home health care or a related health care program
In lieu of a Bachelor’s degree, at least two years of home health care experience and at least one year of supervisory experience is preferred
Must have working knowledge of home health care, Medicare and Medicaid guidelines, applicable state regulations, accreditation standards, and required clinical documentation
Demonstrates leadership ability, sound clinical judgment, organization, time management, and effective communication skills
Must be able to contribute to the quality of care being rendered through constructive communication with nursing managers, field staff, patients, families, physicians, and other members of the health care team
Meets initial and ongoing educational requirements as required by the Agency and applicable state or regulatory agencies

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change without notice.