Assistant Director of Health Services

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Health Services Assistant Director supports the Health Services Director in the overall clinical management and oversight of nursing services. This role ensures the delivery of high-quality, resident-centered care in compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations. The Health Services Assistant Director assists with staff supervision, clinical coordination, quality assurance initiatives, and operational efficiency while promoting a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Assist the Director of Health Services in clinical management and oversight of nursing services by:

• Schedules and documents monthly and as needed meetings with employees-using meetings to discuss department successes and to brainstorm solutions to new problems.
• Anticipates problems and facilitates resolution.
• Takes an active role in strategic planning and annual staff training.
• Participants in Department Head meetings as needed.
• Maintains lines of authority and responsibility.
• Acts as a resource regarding staffing concerns and discipline; organizes department staff to work cooperatively to achieve common goals.
• Assists with the development, organization, and implementation of staff educational programs.
• Organizes staff function and departmental structure.
• Actively participates in the recommendation process for placement of residents within the continuum. 
• Recognizes change in functional abilities, and anticipates potential problems, recognizes signs of accident, injury or illness, evaluates diagnostic data and appropriately intervenes, follows up with documentation per policy and procedure in all areas of living. Following up with action plan.
• Clearly communicates acceptable standards of behavior/performance in a consistent and positive manner.
• Prioritization and assignment of job duties.
• Delegation of authority as appropriate and holds staff accountable.
• Clearly defines departmental/job expectations in keeping with the goals and objectives of the department and the organization.
• Provides leadership by example to all staff (e.g., embraces customer service philosophy, maintains professional and technical knowledge, appropriate dress and behavior, availability to staff, responds to unusual occurrences, problem solving).
• Represents and markets DARC through public outreach (e.g., ongoing collaboration with local hospital social service department, hospital visits to residents, involvement in professional organizations, establishing and expanding professional networks).
• Is a collaborator who works collaboratively within the organization’s leadership group.
• Employee Dementia Education/Wound Care/Psychotropic Medication annually and as needed.
• MDS assist and back up as needed.
• Provides direction, positive communication and appropriate discipline as needed for all staff.
• Responsible for oversight of Health Services Department in absence of Director of Nursing.
• Is knowledgeable of current and pending regulatory requirements/voluntary accreditation/organizational standards (e.g., IDPH, CMS,OSHA) and takes action, as necessary.
• Evaluating restorative department performance as it relates to outcome measures and taking appropriate action, as necessary.
• Continually assesses quality of resident care and recommends/implements changes in care based on resident needs utilizing information from weekly resident review, care guide conferences, input from residents/resident significant other, and front-line staff.
• Participates in orientation of department staff related to each individual position’s required competencies.
• Quality Assurance – oversight of Wound Care Program.
• Assesses and documents resident/family and staff educational needs, abilities, learning preferences, and readiness to learn. After education assesses outcome of education
• Attend quarterly Quality Assurance Meetings as needed.
• In the absence of Director of Nursing oversees staff performance in the Health Services Department.
• Participates in recruitment, selection, and orientation of department staff as needed.
• Responsible for education related to Infection Control, completion of staff competencies, etc.…
•  Completes staff performance evaluations and when appropriate develop formal performance improvement action plans that document specific expectations, needs for improvement, potential consequences, and resources to facilitate employee success.    
• Provides direction, positive communication and appropriate discipline as needed.
• In the absence of Director of Nursing allocates staff in a fiscally responsible manner to meet resident needs. 
• Perform all other related duties as assigned in an effective, timely and professional manner.

Job Requirements:

• Requires certification of graduation from an accredited nursing program.
• Knowledge of normal and abnormal developmental characteristics of the elderly
• Demonstrates competency in basic nursing skills.
• Current RN license in state of Illinois, BSN preferred.
• Two years of professional, clinical nursing, and supervisory experience are desirable.
• Knowledge of the principles of safe and effective nursing practice
• Requires extensive knowledge of nursing theories and practices.
• Requires extensive knowledge of Federal, State, and local requirements for a skilled and sheltered care nursing facility.
• Ability to see and hear or use prosthetics adequately so that the tasks of this position can be fully met, including the use of supplies and equipment.
• Ability to speak, read, write, and understand English.
• Ability to work in a Health Care and Continuing Care Retirement Community environment.
• Knowledge and practice of safe lifting and back care techniques
• Ability to compel staff to adhere to all DeKalb Area Retirement Center Policies and Procedures.
• Ability to attend/conduct meetings and Inservice presentations as required.
• Ability to employ patience, motivation, and tact in dealing with residents, staff, and the public.
• Serves as a resource to own department and other departments by recommending/planning/conducting formal and informal continuing education in-services.
• Shares the responsibility for relief coverage, when necessitated.
• Ability to coordinate the integration of all care in Independent, Sheltered, Intermediate, and Skilled Care
• Assures Health Services compliance with the standards of care established by the State of Illinois, the Federal Government, and the Board of Trustees
• Good physical health and emotional stability
• Other duties as assigned.