Assistant Director of Patient Care Services (RN)
Below is a draft in the same style/structure as your Master Job Descriptions file, using the format shown for roles like Director of Nursing and Alternate Director of Nursing: title, immediate supervisor, bloodborne pathogen risk, duties, responsibilities, job conditions, equipment, company information, qualifications, and acknowledgment.
JOB DESCRIPTION
TITLE OF POSITION: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PATIENT CARE SERVICES
TITLE OF IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Director of Patient Care Services / Director of Nursing / Administrator
RISK OF EXPOSURE TO BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS – HIGH
DUTIES OF POSITION
The Assistant Director of Patient Care Services, under the supervision of the Director of Patient Care Services, Director of Nursing, and/or Administrator, assists with the planning, coordination, supervision, delivery, and evaluation of patient care services. The Assistant Director helps ensure that patient care is provided in accordance with the physician’s plan of care, agency policies and procedures, and applicable federal, state, and accreditation requirements.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF POSITION
Assists the Director of Patient Care Services in the planning, coordination, leading, controlling, and evaluation of patient care services.
Assists in directing and supervising professional and auxiliary personnel rendering patient care services.
Helps ensure that patient care services are provided in accordance with the patient’s plan of care and physician orders.
Assists in evaluating the program, services, and field personnel to ensure the provision of adequate and appropriate care and services.
Consults with supervisors and staff, individually or in groups, regarding patients, families, special programs, or service needs.
Assists in the implementation of service goals and objectives.
Helps develop and maintain standards that ensure safe and effective services to patients and families.
Establishes and maintains effective channels of communication between office staff, field staff, patients, families, physicians, and other members of the health care team.
Assists in ensuring that appropriate health care professionals perform patient assessments and reassessments when required, including upon significant change in condition, physician request, hospital discharge, recertification, resumption of care, transfer, or discharge.
Assists in reviewing clinical documentation to ensure completeness, accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with agency policy and regulatory requirements.
Assists with the coordination of patient care among nursing, therapy, social work, home health aide, and other disciplines.
Participates in case conferences and assists in resolving patient care issues.
Assists in identifying the need for additional services and coordinates referrals to appropriate disciplines or personnel.
Consults with physicians in matters relating to patient care services.
Assists in ensuring that changes in patient condition, care needs, frequency, physician orders, and plan of care updates are communicated and documented appropriately.
Assists in monitoring field staff performance and compliance with agency policies, procedures, and standards of care.
Participates in orientation, in-service education, continuing education, and staff development activities.
Assists in training, mentoring, and supporting nursing and paraprofessional personnel.
Helps keep staff informed of agency developments, needs, and changes in policies or procedures.
Assists in the review and implementation of corrective action plans related to quality assurance, performance improvement, utilization review, clinical record review, complaints, incidents, and patient care concerns.
Participates in Quality Assurance/Performance Improvement activities as assigned.
Assists in maintaining compliance with federal, state, local, Medicare, Medicaid, and accreditation requirements.
Assists in preparing for surveys, audits, and other regulatory reviews.
Participates in selected conferences, workshops, and professional development activities to maintain current knowledge of community health trends, patient care standards, and regulatory requirements.
Assists in fostering positive working relationships with physicians, hospitals, discharge planners, patients, families, community agencies, and other health care providers.
May be requested to make home visits to assess care being rendered, evaluate patient needs, observe staff performance, or assist with patient care concerns.
Acts on behalf of the Director of Patient Care Services as assigned and within scope of authority.
Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Patient Care Services, Director of Nursing, Administrator, or Executive Director.
PROMOTES STAFF DEVELOPMENT
Assists in the development and implementation of orientation and staff education programs.
Utilizes the capabilities of nursing, therapy, and paraprofessional personnel in improving patient care services.
Recognizes leadership potential and assists in offering opportunities for staff growth and development.
Encourages personnel to continue self-improvement through formal education, in-service programs, educational meetings, and participation in professional organizations.
Assists with interviews, onboarding, supervision, and evaluation of selected patient care personnel as assigned.
JOB CONDITIONS
Position is stressful in terms of meeting deadlines and maintaining compliance with patient care and documentation requirements.
It requires minimal lifting of office records and printouts.
It is primarily an office-based position involving sitting, standing, stooping, walking, and frequent telephone and written communication.
Travel may be required by car or airplane to patient homes, local meetings, out-of-town seminars, conferences, or regulatory activities.
Hearing, eyesight, and physical dexterity must be sufficient to perform or demonstrate patient care and to assess patient condition when required.
The ability to access patient homes, which may not be routinely wheelchair accessible, is required when home visits are assigned.
The ability to communicate well, both verbally and in writing, is required.
On occasion, may be required to bend, stoop, reach, move patient weight up to 250 pounds, and lift and/or carry up to 30 pounds.
EQUIPMENT OPERATION
The job requires the ability to utilize a PC, calculator, multi-line telephone, copy machine, electronic medical record system, and other related office equipment. When performing patient care or supervisory visits, may use basic nursing equipment such as blood pressure cuff, thermometer, stethoscope, glucometer, penlight, and hand washing materials.
COMPANY INFORMATION
Has access to all patient medical records, personnel records, patient financial accounts, and company information, which may be discussed with the Director of Patient Care Services, Director of Nursing, Administrator, Executive Director, Quality Assurance/Performance Improvement personnel, and other management staff as appropriate.
QUALIFICATIONS
Must be a Registered Nurse licensed in the State.
A Bachelor’s degree in Nursing or related health care field is preferred.
Must have at least one year of supervisory or administrative experience in home health care or a related health care program.
In lieu of a Bachelor’s degree, at least two years of home health care experience and at least one year of supervisory experience is preferred.
Must have working knowledge of home health care, Medicare and Medicaid guidelines, applicable state regulations, accreditation standards, and required clinical documentation.
Must demonstrate leadership ability, sound clinical judgment, organization, time management, and effective communication skills.
Must be able to contribute to the quality of care being rendered through constructive communication with nursing managers, field staff, patients, families, physicians, and other members of the health care team.
Must meet initial and ongoing educational requirements as required by the Agency and applicable state or regulatory agencies.