Unit Manager RN

About the Role

The primary purpose of this position is to assist the Director of Nursing Services in planning, organizing, developing, and directing the day-to-day functions of the Nursing Service Department. This role ensures the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations governing the facility.

As Unit Manager, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties. While essential functions are identified, you may also perform additional duties similar, related, or essential to the position.

Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

• Assist the Director of Nursing Services (DNS) and Assistant DNS in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing the day-to-day functions of the Nursing Services Department.
• Participate in developing, maintaining, and updating written policies and procedures for the Nursing Services Department.
• Ensure reference materials (e.g., PDRs, regulations, professional standards) at nurses’ stations are current and recommend additional materials to the DNS.
• Ensure the Nursing Service Procedures Manual reflects current nursing care procedures.
• Report orally and in writing to the DNS regarding the operation of the Nursing Services Department.
• Coordinate nursing services with other resident services to ensure continuity of care.
• Ensure nursing services personnel follow their respective job descriptions.
• Participate in the Facility’s quality assurance program for the Nursing Services Department.
• Participate in Facility surveys (inspections) by authorized government agencies.
• Assist in developing, implementing, and updating residents’ written discharge plans.
• Monitor QI, QM, and survey reports, providing recommendations to the DNS for problem resolution.
• Assist the DNS in obtaining and posting daily staffing information.
• Participate in developing, maintaining, and updating policies for medication and supply administration, storage, and control.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate protocols and standards for assigned unit(s).
• Supervise and evaluate unit secretaries.

Committee Functions

• Serve on and participate in Facility committees in the absence of the DNS and Assistant DNS.
• Serve on the Quality Assurance and Assessment Committee as directed.
• Assist the DNS in preparing reports for committee submissions.
• Attend and participate in Care Plan Committee meetings, including agenda development.
• Review and make discharge plans available to the Care Plan Committee.

Personnel Functions

• Assist the DNS in determining staffing needs for the Nursing Services Department.
• Assist in scheduling nursing staff in compliance with state guidelines.
• Assist the DNS in selecting nursing service personnel.
• Ensure sufficient LPNs/RNs and CNAs/GNAs are available for each shift to maintain quality care.
• Develop work assignments and schedule duty hours for nursing staff.
• Ensure nurse aide trainees are supervised by an LPN.
• Assist in preparing and conducting performance evaluations.
• Make daily rounds to monitor nursing service personnel performance and report findings to the DNS.
• Monitor absenteeism to ensure adequate staffing and report issues to the DNS.
• Review and address complaints and grievances from department personnel.
• Administer disciplinary action fairly and without bias.
• Ensure all nursing personnel participate in the Facility’s TB testing program.

Nursing Care Functions

• Participate in interviewing and selecting residents for admission, including PASARR screenings.
• Provide the DNS with information on residents’ nursing needs and the department’s ability to meet them.
• Inform nursing staff of new admissions, arrival times, and room assignments; ensure rooms are prepared.
• Greet newly admitted residents and escort them to their rooms as needed.
• Make rounds with physicians and inform the DNS of untimely visits.
• Encourage physicians to record and sign progress notes and orders promptly.
• Ensure direct nursing care is provided by licensed nurses, CNAs/GNAs, or qualified nurse aide trainees.
• Review nurses’ notes for informative and descriptive content reflecting resident care and responses.
• Schedule daily rounds to observe residents and assess nursing needs.
• Monitor medication passes and treatment schedules to ensure adherence to orders.
• Report medication errors to the DNS and assist in corrective action.
• Provide direct nursing care as necessary.
• Authorize restraint use in accordance with established policies and state laws.
• Ensure residents unable to call for help are checked frequently.
• Conduct periodic meetings with staff across all shifts and interdisciplinary teams to disseminate information and evaluate performance.
• Participate in developing programs for continuing care during resident transfers.
• Prepare reports, review records, and participate in data collection for quality improvement and special projects.

Staff Development

• Participate in planning, conducting, and scheduling in-service training classes.
• Maintain an effective orientation program for new employees.
• Encourage nursing staff to attend outside training programs and schedule time accordingly.
• Assist the DNS in developing and revising the nursing assistant training curriculum.
• Assist in planning and conducting universal precautions and annual in-service training (e.g., OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, Infection Control).
• Assist in developing advance directive in-service training for staff and the community.
• Collaborate with support services to develop training programs related to Nursing Services.
• Ensure training programs meet continuing education requirements for licensed personnel.
• Attend continuing education programs to maintain professional licensure and stay updated on industry changes.

Safety and Sanitation

• Assist in developing safety standards for the Nursing Service Department.
• Identify, evaluate, and classify job-related functions with potential exposure to blood or body fluids.
• Ensure personnel with potential exposure participate in appropriate in-service training.
• Maintain an adequate supply of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Monitor nursing staff to ensure compliance with safety regulations for equipment and supplies.
• Maintain clean and sanitary work areas (e.g., nurses’ stations, medicine preparation rooms).
• Ensure resident care rooms and treatment areas are clean, safe, and sanitary.
• Ensure nursing staff follow departmental policies, including dress codes.
• Ensure nursing staff participate in fire safety and disaster preparedness drills.
• Assist in developing, implementing, and revising aseptic and isolation techniques.
• Participate in developing, implementing, and maintaining the infection control program.
• Ensure staff follow infection control procedures when isolation precautions are necessary.