Wellness Director / DON for Assisted Living Community - Traditions of Deerfield

Wellness Director Senior Living Community

SUMMARY OF POSITION FUNCTIONS

The Wellness Director assumes authority, responsibility, and accountability for the delivery of nursing services in the Community. In collaboration with the Executive Director, allocates departmental resources in an efficient and economic manner to enable each resident to attain or maintain the highest practical physical, mental and psychosocial well-being. Collaborates with other departments, professionals, consultants, and organizations, including government agencies and advocacy groups, to develop support and coordinate resident care, related administrative functions, and to represent the interests of the Community.

ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS

• Develops, maintains, and implements nursing policies and procedures that reflect current standards of nursing practice, company, and Community philosophy of care and practices while maintaining compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. Communicates and interprets policies and procedures to nursing staff. Monitors practices for effective implementation and achievement of results.
• Ensures delivery of compassionate quality care evidenced by adequate services and staff coverage, appropriateness of staff, absence of odors, cleanliness, absence of pressure wounds, and apparent maintenance of optimal physical, mental and psychosocial function.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and application of Key Clinical Quality Indicators. Proactively monitors and implements systems to achieve and/or surpass state thresholds.
• Reviews 24-hour report from every service line daily to ensure timely, effective responses to significant changes in condition, transfers, discharges, unexplained injuries, potential abuse or neglect, medication errors, loss of resident property, or any evidence of resident or family dissatisfaction.
• Gathers and analyzes facts, assesses situations, develops, and implements appropriate actions to investigate, notify appropriate parties, resolve issues, record facts properly, and prevent future reoccurrence. Communicates findings/results to Executive Director.
• Communicates directly with residents, families, medical staff, nursing staff, interdisciplinary team members, and Department Heads to coordinate care and services, improve organization and implementation of plans of care, to maintain quality of care, quality of life, and a homelike environment for all residents.
• Establishes, implements, and monitors infection control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment and to prevent the development and transmission of disease and infection. Reviews infection control surveillance reports to identify trends and to develop effective actions to control and prevent infections in the Community.
• Monitors staff for compliance with OSHA mandates on workplace safety. Proactively develops procedures and incentive programs to promote workplace safety and safety practices.
• Monitors the provision of care and services to residents on all shifts and evaluates regulatory compliance efforts through daily rounds to observe care on all service lines, to review records, and to interview staff members, residents, families, and other interested parties. Evaluates the finding of compliance rounds conducted by designated Community staff on a daily basis. Designs, implements, and evaluates actions to continuously improve quality, compassionate care and cleanliness, and eliminate odors.
• Conducts quality assessment and assurance activities. Develops program to gather and analyze data for trends and to institute actions to resolve problems promptly. Evaluates effectiveness of actions. Participates as member of Quality Assessment and Assurance Committee with Medical Director and at least three other Community staff members. Reports and makes recommendations to Quality Assessment and Assurance Committee.
• Oversees and supervises development and delivery of in-service educational programs designed to equip nursing staff with sufficient knowledge and skills to provide nursing, nursing related services, and highest level of compassionate, quality of care to each resident to attain or maintain the highest practical physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being.
• Assists Executive Director with preparation for State Survey. Actively participates in survey process by instructing staff in matters of conduct and disclosure, maintaining a presence at all times while surveyors are on-site and directing the timely collection of information required by the survey team. Demonstrates concern for identified problems and undertakes corrective action while survey is in progress if appropriate. Gathers and presents supplemental documentation to avoid potential deficiencies. Collaborates with Executive Director to develop responses to survey report and implements prevention measures for future citations.
• Consults with Executive Director daily about resident status, census, budget, personnel, and other relevant issues.
• Participates in the development of and compliance with the department nursing budget. Provides relevant information to Executive Director regarding departmental needs and status.
• Proactively develops positive employee relations, incentive, and recognition programs. Promotes positive interactions. Maintains approachability, strong communication, and interpersonal skills with staff and prompt resolution of issues. Trains nursing management staff in the knowledge and delivery of the same.
• Ensures 24-hour availability as nursing administration resource by providing on-call and telephone access or designating an alternative, qualified nursing staff member to do so.
• Acts in administrative capacity in absence of Executive Director.
• Complies with the Community's privacy practices and procedures related to resident and employee records and all state/federal privacy laws as outlined by HIPAA.

Note: The essential functions of this job may be revised or updated as Community needs dictate.

NON-ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS

• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages subordinate supervisors and supervises staff. The Wellness Directori is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of this Community. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be available on an "on-call" basis.
• Must be available to work overtime.

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing
• Two years professional nursing experience in geriatric setting.
• Minimum of two years’ experience in nursing service administration or comparable management position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Knowledge of current Federal and State laws and regulations that apply to practice of nursing in long-term care.
• Ability to apply standards of professional nursing practice in job situations.
• Ability to provide leadership and formulate operational strategies.
• Ability to develop and implement policies and procedures that reflect current clinical practice, professional standards, and Community philosophy of care.
• Knowledge of appropriate procedures and ability to assume control during emergency and disaster situations at the Community.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, ability to prioritize and accomplish multiple responsibilities.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business Community.
• Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and staff.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Current Traditions Registered Nursing or Licensed Practical Nurse License
• Current CPR Certification