Nursing Unit Manager

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This is a management nursing, supervisory position in which an employee is responsible for the management and maintenance of high standards of professional nursing services and activities on a unit or group of units in a nursing home facility.  The incumbent is under the direct supervision of the Director of Nursing, or designee, and directly supervises all staff under his/her assignment with wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment in directing subordinate staff, and in carrying out a variety of personnel related tasks.  This position differs from a Head Nurse or Supervising Nurse position in that the incumbent compiles the monthly staffing schedule for assigned unit/s, and carries out more complex personnel related tasks such as formal employee evaluations and counseling sessions, and conducts and initiates in-depth, initial investigations of employee disciplines, union grievances, and resident/family complaints.  The incumbent is expected to work as a team member in promoting excellence in nursing standards.  Does related work as required and assigned.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:
Manages a unit or group of units by supervising, evaluating, instructing, and assisting the nursing staff and auxiliary nursing staff in addressing nursing problems, resident issues, supply distribution issues, out of facility consultations, and/or related problems/activities throughout the facility;
Responsible for compliance with Long Term care regulations and requirements of New York State and the federal government (CMS);
Collaborates with the Interdisciplinary Care Plan Team in the coordination and implementation of the residents’ 24 hour Care Plan;
Prepares nursing staff work schedules for unit or units on a monthly basis to facilitate adequate 24 hour coverage;
Completes or delegates the completion of accurate, descriptive medical records including the review of MD orders, and the execution of these orders, and medication sheets;
Coordinates the services rendered by other departments in the interests of effective unit management and resident welfare;
May perform basic resident care including, but not limited to the passing of medications;
Completes a variety of records and reports, including the Patient Review Instrument (PRI) and Minimum Data Set (Resident assessment instrument), some of which may be computerized;
Participates in the orientation of nursing staff and auxiliary nursing staff;
Conducts initial, in-depth investigations, and prepares reports related to employee grievances and disciplines;
Promotes and maintains good relationships with residents and their relatives and friends;
Provides input in the formulation and execution of facility policies and procedures;
May be assigned day, evening, and/or night management of a unit or group of units and related activities within the facility as needed.

The above examples of duties are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

FULL PERFORMANCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND/OR PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Thorough knowledge of professional nursing techniques and their relation to medical surgical practices, and the ability to skillfully apply these techniques; thorough knowledge of the geriatric population; good knowledge of unit management and administration of prescribed therapeutic

measures; working knowledge of nursing supervision techniques, and the ability to adequately plan, organize, schedule, and evaluate the work of others; ability to read and comprehend and interpret technical oral and written directions; ability to secure the cooperation of others; attention to details, good communication and observation skills; mental alertness, high degree of integrity; thorough, cheerful, patient, emotionally stable, empathetic attitude toward the elderly, sick and dying; tactful, courteous, credible, good judgment.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, bend, stoop, pull and push, use hands to finger, handle to fell objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is required to walk, stand for long periods of time, talk and hear.  The employee must occasionally lift and /or move up to 75 pounds and position residents as needed.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus and to visually observe residents.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is moderately quiet.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from high school or possession of an appropriate equivalency diploma recognized by the NYS Department of Education, and either:

  1. Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS registered college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, and two years of full time paid experience as a Registered Professional Nurse, one year of which must be in the capacity of a charge Nurse or Nursing Supervisor,
    OR
  2. Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS registered three year school of professional nursing, and three years of full time paid experience as a Registered Professional Nurse, one year of which must be in the capacity of a Charge Nurse or a Nursing Supervisor,
    OR
  3. Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS registered two year college with and Associate’s Degree in Nursing and four years of full time paid experience as a Registered Professional Nurse, one year of which must be in the capacity of a charge Nurse or Nursing Supervisor.


SPECIAL REQUIREMENT FOR APPOINTMENT AND CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT: Possession of a nursing license issued by the State of New York to practice as a Registered Practical Nurse.