Long Term Care Director of Nursing

The Director of Long Term Care directs and leads the overall operations of the long-term care unit in accordance with current regulations governing long term care facilities. This position assures that quality care is provided to residents at all times.

Essential Functions

1. The Director performs a variety of Administrative functions, which provide for the planning, developing and organizing of the daily operations of the Living Center. The incumbent directs services and updates and enforces facility policies.

This position develops and implements methods for coordination of nursing services with other resident services. Develops and implements a total care service organizational structure, and makes reports and recommendation to the Administrator concerning departmental operations. This position participates in surveys and inspections by government agencies.

2. The Director monitors total care throughout the Living Center to assure proper treatment and care are provided to all residents.

This includes: participates in maintaining an active waiting list, interviewing and screening residents for admission to the facility; level of care and financial arrangements and satisfactory room placement.

The Director monitors residents’ nursing care to ensure residents are receiving proper care and appropriate services are provided. This includes making referrals and working closely with family members/support persons. Also to be involved in RA (Resident Assessment information) and care planning.

3. The Director is responsible to develop and maintain adequate staffing for the Living Center.

This include: monitoring staff as necessary to assure that assigned duties are performed; assures that all staff maintain appropriate licensure; reviews and acts upon personnel complaints and grievances; enforces personnel policies within department to assure that all employees are treated fairly.

The Director oversees the hiring, discipline and training of staff, conducts and plans various training/in-service sessions and monitors continuing education programs in conjunction with the Nursing Care Supervisor.

This position acts as a staff liaison to other departments and maintains an effective relationship with all other hospital departments and services.

4. The Director prepares and plans the overall Living Center budget and continually makes adjustments to assure adequate and cost effective measures are in effect.

This includes monthly monitoring of overall budgets and inventory concerns, making periodic inspection of supplies and equipment to ensure that adequate levels are maintained and that inventory is in good working order.

A monthly resident census/level of care report is prepared for the business office to provide current input for the monthly billing process.

5. The Director is responsible for the overall Safety, QA and Infection Control programs for the Living Center. This includes managing delegated personnel to implement and maintain safety standards and infection control issues. The Director will participate in Leadership, Department Head meetings, Improving Operational Performance, Transitional Planning, Hospital Board, Hospital Auxiliary and other necessary meetings.

6. The Director of Long Term Care is responsible for promoting an ongoing adjustment of individual residents and their families to nursing home life, promoting independence and the “Choices’ philosophy.

This position is to be a resident advocate developing and facilitating social services and activities, which promote the residents’ psycho-social well being. This position requires effective communication with residents, families, support persons, Living Center staff and others.

It directs residents’ medical/physical/psycho/social/spiritual are. This includes the involvement of staff and families as well as volunteers and community support to provide a holistic nurturing environment.

Physical/Mental Demands/Environment;

St. Luke Hospital and Living Center is a facility licensed for 10 acute care beds and 32 long-term care beds. The facility is Medicare (Acute) Medicaid certified and offers Medicare Certified Home Care Services. The Staff at the Living Center provides resident care in a home-like atmosphere.

This position is subject to flexible hours, time demands and frequent interruptions. The LTC Director is expected to work from 8:00 a. m. to 5 p. m. (40 hours per week at a minimum) and extra hours if needed to get their work done.

This position is an Exempt position and the LTC Director is not required to clock in and out.

Supervisory Responsibility;

Directly Reporting

Assistant Director of Nursing, MDS Coordinator, RN’s, LPN’s, Social Service Designee

Indirectly Reporting

Certified Nurse Assistants, Certified Medication Aides, Activities Director, Restorative Aide, Transportation Staff

Scope and Complexity;

The Director of Long Term Care uses independent authority and discretion in carrying out responsibilities. Most decisions are made by using individual and leadership team discretion, judgment and knowledge.

This position is responsible for the overall operation and effectiveness of the Living Center. This person is responsible for motivation of staff, assuring appropriate scheduling of employees and monitoring personnel actions. The major challenge of this position is to coordinate and organize the daily operations of the Long Term Care Unit within established budgetary guidelines while ensuring quality resident care and maintaining community pathways.

Minimum Qualifications;

This position requires management and problem solving ability with strong communication skills. This position requires the ability to integrate nursing services and resident services programs within the department, acting as head of the LTC leadership team. A Kansas Registered Nurse license and associate degree is a requirement with a bachelor’s degree preferred. Three years of long term care experience is preferred with 1 year of supervisory experience.

Principal Accountabilities

1. Oversees the efficient management of the facility and provides general support and leadership to all staff to assure the coordination of cost effective, quality total care services to comply with established guidelines and policies.

2. Maintains an active waiting list of residents, screens and facilitates the admission process. Monitors resident care, nursing staff, restorative care and activities to assure care is provided according to doctors’ orders and specified treatment and care plans.

3. Directs the work and progress of all Living Center staff and assures that adequate staff, training, discipline and in-service are provided to maintain departmental efficiency and quality resident care services.

4. Prepares Living Center budgets and monitors inventory control to ensure that the department operates in a cost effective manner.

5. Monitors safety and infection control programs to provide a safe, clean and sanitary environment for residents and staff.

Directs and oversees residents’ medical/physical/psycho/social/spiritual are according to the Resident Plan of Care.