A. BASIC PURPOSE

The Director of Nursing functions as the Clinical Manager and provides oversight of all patient care services and personnel including nursing, home health aide, medical social work, physical therapy, speech-language pathology and occupational therapy staff and contractors for the Medicare certified home health agency. This oversight must include the following: making patient and personnel assignments; coordinating patient care; coordinating referrals; assuring that patient needs are continually assessed; and assuring the development, implementation, and updates of the individualized plan of care. Manages the safety and infection control program; ensures medical records are maintained appropriately; oversees clinical record review, and maintenance of medical supplies. Participates with the Administrator in the Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement process and assures that all clinical disciplines function according to licensure, state law, and Medicare/Medicaid standards for Home Health. The Director of Nursing/Clinical Manager reports to and receives consultation, direction and supervision from the Administrator. In the absence of the Administrator, the Director of Nursing /Clinical Manager is authorized in writing by the Managing Members and Administrator to act on behalf of the Administrator with the same responsibilities and obligations as the Administrator.

B. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Planning, Organizing & Implementation
1. Provides direction, supervision and consultation to the clinical staff
2. Clinically manages and oversees patient care by performing the following functions :
a. Making patient and personnel assignments
b. Coordinating patient care;
c. Coordinating referrals;
d. Assuring that patient needs are continually assessed; and
e. Assuring the development, implementation, and updates of the individualized plan of care.
3. Serves as a resource to all agency personnel regarding clinical activities.
4. Oversees the provision of the nursing, aide, medical social work and therapy services to patients in Home Health consistent with standards of practice, community need, agency policies and procedures, Medicare/Medicaid guidelines and State Home Health licensure laws.
5. Develops written goals, objectives and activities for the delivery of home health services.
6. Assists Administrator in establishing the responsibilities and qualifications for clinical services positions.
7. Develops clinical policies and procedures for the delivery of patient services.
8. Incorporates Process Improvement principles into clinical service delivery.
9. Participates in program planning, identifying new program areas, establishing policies and procedures related to service delivery and evaluation of agency programs.
10. Participates as a member of the Professional Advisory Committee and reports all appropriate and relevant information relative to the provision of clinical services.
11. Supervises the provision of clinical nursing care to patients and provides care on an as-needed basis.
12. Works with clinical staff to assist as needed with difficult care issues and to alter patient plans of care.
13. Advises, assists and collaborates with clinicians on an as-needed basis to assess patient situations, staff problems, and coordinates physician referrals.
14. Ensures that each patient receives quality care consistent with agency policies based on patient need and state/federal guidelines.
15. Responsible for participation in performance improvement activities including Outcomes Based Quality Indicators (OBQI).
16. Utilizes nursing knowledge and skills in overseeing the provision of nursing care to home health patients on a high quality, consistent basis in accordance with the mission of Ideal HomeHealth Care.
17. Develops and maintains the agency’s Nursing and Clinical Policy and Procedure Manuals.
18. Demonstrates basic keyboarding and computer skills and is able to use agency software.
19. Oversees proper maintenance of medical/clinical records.
20. Complies with and instructs staff in general orientation to agency policies and procedures.
21. Oversees planning and evaluation of the Infection Control and Safety program.
22. In absence of the Administrator, the Director of Nursing assumes the role of the Administrator in charge with the same responsibilities and obligations as the Administrator.

Human Resource Management
1. Assists Administrator with recruiting, recommending for hire, and terminating home health employees and contract personnel.
2. Assists Administrator with determining staffing patterns that will accomplish objectives and promote maximum utilization of personnel.
3. Helps identify staff development needs and ensures that inservices are held and continuing education opportunities for staff are sought and encouraged.
4. Conducts employee performance evaluations appraisals at the completion of the probationary period and annually thereafter within 30 days of the evaluation due date.
5. Ensures accurate and timely completion of:
a. Payroll Reports/Time Sheets
b. Employee Incident/Accident Reports
c. Required Personnel Forms
7. Informs the Administrator of patient care and/or staffing issues or personnel issues on a timely basis.
8. Oversees on-call schedules and maintains that services are coordinated and care is available through Home Health Care RNs 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.
9. Ensures that an adequate stock of medical supplies needed for patient care provision is available for use by staff for patient care.
10. Ensures that home health care nurses and aides receive supervision, either directly or via other appropriate nursing staff.
11. Provides for supervision of all contract personnel.
12. Supervises provision of therapy services and arranges for peer supervision as needed.

Fiscal Management
1. Understands the need for staff and contractor productivity and effective utilization.
2. Utilizes available data resources, such as reports for scheduling and supervising staff relative to assignments and visits.
3. Participates in budget preparation and census/visit projections for clinical services.
4. Evaluates services provided though patient outcomes, statistical and financial data, and other quality improvement activities.
5. Assists in the investigation of patient and customer concerns and complaints.
6. Ensures effective and efficient utilization of personnel in accordance with established productivity guidelines.
7. Approves requests for time off, ensuring that there is coverage for all clinical positions/services.
8. Focuses on maintaining nursing, therapy and aide staffing to parallel census needs for agency.
a. Coordinates with referral services to ensure a consistent census.
b. Appropriately manages staffing to accommodate referrals.
c. Works with the Administrator to recruit, train, and maintain staff based on agency and community needs.
d. Oversees that clinicians function within clinical caseload guidelines and productivity standards as determined through agency management, budgetary and regulatory processes.

Leadership/Professionalism
1. Maintains current knowledge of home health principles and practices.
2. Maintains current knowledge of individual discipline practice acts, standards of practice, applicable laws, regulations, and practices.
3. Develops and maintains cooperative working relationships with other home care agencies, professionals and referral sources in order to encourage the exchange of information and services and to upgrade the level of professionalism and quality of home care services.
4. Attends external meetings as directed and presents information on Ideal HomeHealth Care services to outside sources.
5. Able to exercise independent judgment, critically analyze situations and make recommendations using appropriate problem-solving skills.
6. Able to manage competing demands for time and resources and independently prioritizes work responsibilities.
7. Able to function effectively as a member of a team.
8. Maintains confidentiality of patient and agency information according to HIPAA guidelines.
9. Maintains an appearance that projects a professional image.
10. Maintains satisfactory attendance.
11. Able to resolve conflict situations.
12. Identifies and progresses toward meeting personal and professional goals.
13. Demonstrates awareness of own behavior and its effect on others and the agency’s productivity and effectiveness.
14. Performs other duties as assigned.

C. HUMAN RELATIONS

1. Must maintain a professional attitude and demeanor and be able to communicate effectively and relate courteously and cooperatively with patients, caregivers, colleagues, supervisors, co-workers and all others.
2. Must be able to demonstrate optimism, enthusiasm and willingness to work constructively with other members of the health care team and reflect concern for the well-being of patients and employees.
3. Professional shows genuine concern for those with whom he or she has a working relationship.
4. Demonstrates responsibility for enhancing professional growth.
5. Verbal and written communications are understandable with attention given to feelings, opinions, and attitudes of others. Personnel are kept informed of changes that affect them through meetings, correspondence, email and voicemail which are utilized appropriately.
6. Develops and maintains good working relationships with other staff, community health, welfare and social agencies, and reaches out to the community to maintain existing resources and develop new ones to meet patient and family needs.

D. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (See Attached Physical Requirements Form)

1. This position requires the nurse to work in both an office and home environment. Position may require travel to other locations, meetings and seminars, etc. The position requires performing both patient and supervisory visits in a patient’s home that would be in a variety of environments (housing styles, cleaning and maintenance, heating and cooling).
2. Visual/hearing ability must be sufficient to comprehend written/verbal communication and include excellent listening skills.
3. Must be able to deal effectively with stress.

E. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

1. Education : Degree in nursing from an NLN accredited program or the equivalent. Additional years of experience in nursing management may be considered in lieu of the bachelor’s degree
2. Experience :
a. Minimum three (3) years’ experience in nursing, with at least two (2) years in home health or community health nursing required.
b. Minimum one (1) year in a supervisory or management position.
c. Demonstrates basic computer skills.
d. Possesses leadership skills: enjoys working with people, assertive, mature, approachable and open-minded.
3. Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification
a. Must possess current and valid license as a professional Registered Nurse to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under the Professional Nursing Law (63 P. S. § § 211—225.5), with certification in nursing administration, community health or home health desirable.
b. Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license and reliable transportation that is insured in accordance with state laws and requirements.
c. Satisfactory references from employers and/or professional peers.
d. Satisfactory criminal background check

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