Associate Director of Nursing

Position Summary:

The Associate Director of Nursing is a valuable member of the Senior Leadership Team at the Long Island State Veterans Home. The successful candidate will develop and maintain a facility-wide Education Program, and Quality Assurance Performance Improvement Program that ensures a safe, comfortable environment for the residents, and a process that evaluates the quality of resident care based on best nursing practice and regulatory standards. The Associate Director of Nursing will coordinate the duties of the nurse educators related to orientation; mandatory in-services and other educational needs identified through the QAPI and regulatory processes. He/She will also assist other departments related to their educational needs. In collaboration with the Director of Nursing this position will participate in the planning, implementing, and upgrading or modifying policies and procedures related to practice standards to meet all federal, state and local regulations. The Associate Director of Nursing will coordinate the duties of the Quality Assurance Coordinator related to data collection, investigations, root cause analysis, reporting to regulatory agencies and monitoring for compliance of practice standards as required or needed. This position will coordinate and manage all Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) projects for nursing and other departments. The Associate Director of Nursing will have direct oversight of all aspects of the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and function as a leader of any new EMR projects and programs that may be implemented in the future. Qualified candidates will demonstrate superior communication and organizational skills while adhering to our high standard of excellence outlined in the LISVH mission, vision, values and code of conduct. As this position is part of the senior leadership team, successful candidates will have access and knowledge of highly sensitive and confidential information including, but not limited to; resident and staff information, facility operational decisions, financial data, regulatory findings and any associated plans of corrections.

Under the direction of the Director of Nursing, the duties of the Associate Director of Nursing may include but are not limited to the following:

Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Processes

• Maintains required statistics, completes reports and ensures compliance with Federal, State and Local requirements.
• Reports and communicates data analysis and other relevant information to the Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (LNHA), the Medical Director and Director of Nursing in a timely and organized manner.
• In collaboration with the Quality Assurance Coordinator and Nursing Managers will review and assist in the completion of all Quality Assurance Reports.
• In collaboration with the Director of Nursing submits required reports to federal, state and local agencies as required.
• Ensures that all quarterly Quality Assurance Meetings, Performance Improvement Projects, QAPI Steering Committee meetings, and Root Cause Analyses are scheduled and completed as required by federal, state and local regulations
• Maintains current knowledge and competence in best practice, education concepts and management of Quality programs by participating in continuing education programs.
• Obtain and maintain certification in the QAPI process as well as other quality processes such as Six Sigma, Lean etc.
• Responsible for effective communications between nursing and other departments related to Education, Quality, as well as Federal, State and Local regulation updates.
• Manage the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement Program and analysis of data relevant to the quality outcomes. Directs staff in performance improvement activities that improve outcomes, satisfaction and enhances organizational efficiency.
• Reviews and analyzes all completed quality assurance events to ensure that residents are free from abuse, mistreatment, neglect and exploitation.
• Collaborates with the Director of Nursing, Human Resources Leadership, Medical Services Leadership and Facility Administration to investigate and respond to all allegations of abuse, mistreatment, neglect and exploitation.

Nursing Education and Competency of Nursing Staff

• Establishes and updates education programs to be consistent with the evidence-based practice recommendations as well as Federal, State and local regulations.
• Oversees the provision of education to all employees, residents, families, and volunteers related to new and or revised protocols, policies and procedures.
• Oversees the development of all employee competencies required by both Federal, State, and local regulations which will include best practices of nursing care delivery.
• Collaborates with the Nurse educators to ensure all nursing annual mandatory education is timely and completed as defined by Federal, State and Local regulations.
• Collaborates and coordinate with Schools of Nursing to provide a clinical setting for the students. Develops relationships with local school of nursing administrators to facilitate open collaboration between the LISVH and area nursing programs.

Nursing Informatics and EMR Leadership

• Provides oversight to the Nursing Informatics Department and assists with all functions of the electronic medical record.
• Serves as a founding member of the EMR committee, and ensures that minutes are completed and disseminated to all appropriate staff members.

* Works closely with the medical records and informatics departments during downtime operations to provide constant communication to senior leadership. This will include any resolutions initiated to restore EMR downtime issues.

Policy and Procedure Development

• Develops and manages Policies and Procedures related to nursing practice, education and quality in collaboration with Director of Nursing.
• Develop and implement processes to enable staff to provide the highest level of care as well as safe practice.

Regulatory Preparedness and Response

• Prepares and participates in annual Department of Health and Veterans Administration Surveys, ensuring the facility complies with all Federal, State and Local regulations.

Admission Screening

• Conducts off-site screening on potential new admissions to the LISVH along with other members of the IDT and shares recommendations with Admissions staff.

Leadership and Research

• Collaborate and network with other Long-Term Care (LTC) nurse leaders to remain current in trends and practices.
• Acts as a role model and a preceptor within his/her role for all staff, students, and volunteers.
• Participate in research regarding nursing practice, quality of care, and education.
• In the absence of the Director of Nursing will ensure the effective and efficient operations of the Nursing Department.
• In collaboration with the Director of Nursing collects supporting documentation for nursing department matters related to labor relations .
• In collaboration with the Director of Nursing, manage employee relations matters under the direction of the Human Resources Department.
• Collaborate and network with other Long-Term Care (LTC) nurse leaders to remain current in trends and practices.
• Functions as the chair-person of the safe patient handling process and communicates openly with all effected departments.
• In the absence of the Director of Nursing, will collaborate with the staffing office in order to ensure there is appropriate nursing leadership coverage, and the appropriate amount of nursing personnel as established by Federal, State and Local regulations.
• In the absence of the Director of Nursing, functions as the Nurse Administrator on duty and ensures that all decisions are made to facilitate the highest practical level of well-being for facility residents and their families / health-care agents.
• As part of the Senior Staff, attends management meetings, serves on committees and performs other administrative tasks as directed by the Director of Nursing.
• Responsible to manage and safeguard highly sensitive and confidential information as it relates to residents, staff as well as administrative matters.
• Participates in bi-weekly off hour on-call to ensure that the operations of the nursing department are functioning during a 24-hour-seven-day-per-week to ensure that resident quality of care and quality of life is being provided
• Participates and reports at other committees as requested.
• Participates in the screening and hiring of vacant positions at the nurse leadership level.

Required Qualifications:

Master's Degree in Nursing or health related field.

NYS RN License

Minimum of five (5) years of post-license experience to include three (3) years of progressive leadership experience

In lieu of a Master's Degree, a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from an accredited University with 10 years of progressive leadership experience will be accepted.

Strong organizational and communication skills (both verbal and written)

Detail-oriented with the ability to prioritize and multitask

Self-motivated and works independently

Ability to safeguard highly sensitive and confidential information

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Programs

Preferred Qualifications:

QAPI certification.

Membership in a nationally recognized organization for Long-Term Care Nursing, such as, but not limited to : National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration (NADONA), American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN), or Sigma Theta Tau.

Long Term Care, Geriatric or related experience.

Education and/or Quality experience in a healthcare facility.

Experience working as a leader of the EMR process.

Resume/CV and cover letter should be included with the online application.

Working conditions may involve exposure to infectious disease, blood, body fluids and/or tissue as well as other unpleasant elements such as accidents, injuries and illness. May be exposed to and be required to handle varying unpredictable, emergency and crisis situations. Occasionally subjected to irregular hours and pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries.

Special Notes:

The Long Island State Veterans Home is a tobacco-free environment. Tobacco products are strictly prohibited anywhere on our 25-acre campus, including parking lots and outdoor areas on the premises.

Essential Position: This position has been designated as an essential position based on the duties of the job and the functions performed. This means that when the Long Island State Veterans Home is faced with an emergency, employees in such positions are required to remain at their work location or to report to work.

The LISVH is a 24/7 skilled nursing facility. As such, all positions are subject to changes in pass days and shifts as necessary to meet the operating needs of the facility.

The use of Vacation or Personal Leave accruals during the first 6 months of employment will not be authorized unless prior approval has been granted by Human Resources.

The selected candidate must successfully clear a background investigation. Prior to start date, the selected candidate must meet the following requirements: Successfully complete pre-employment physical examination and obtain medical clearance from the Long Island State Veterans Home Employee Health Department, clear a background investigation, submit three (3) written references, and provide a copy of the required license(s)/certificate(s). Please be advised that failure to comply with any of the above requirements could result in a delayed start date and/or revocation of the employment offer.

In accordance with the New York State Department of Health (DOH) order that all hospitals and nursing homes "continuously require all covered personnel to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19." Upon acceptance of a conditional job offer, candidates who are not already vaccinated must obtain the first dose of the vaccine within three (3) calendar days of job offer and must obtain any subsequent doses in accordance with the vaccine protocol. The order allows for limited medical exemptions with reasonable accommodations, consistent with applicable law.

The Long Island State Veterans Home, located on the campus of Stony Brook University, is a 350-bed skilled nursing facility with a 40-slot Adult Day Health Care Program dedicated to the care of honorably discharged Veterans of the United States Armed Forces, their spouses and Gold Star parents. Join an organization whose people make a difference every day and where commitment, compassion, initiative and leadership are recognized and rewarded. We care for America's heroes every day.

Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in diversity and the creation of an inclusive learning, and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.

If you need a disability-related accommodation, please call the University Office of Equity and Access at (631)632-6280.

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