Director of Patient Services

Director of Patient Services

Position Description: The Director of Patient Services is responsible for the direction and supervision of all health care services and programs of the agency.

Qualifications: Meets all general qualifications for employment contained herein.

Graduate of a NLN or ANA approved nursing program.

Currently registered and license in New York State license for registered professional nursing

One year of previous experience in home care services (willing to negotiate based on other relevant experience)

Demonstrated ability to plan for patients' home care needs.

Demonstrated leadership abilities in management of the health care team.

Demonstrated caring attitude towards those in need of care.

Demonstrated ability to motivate and evaluate staff.

Physical Requirements: Physical agility with repetitive occurrence including but not limited to: Walking, running, bending, stooping, and climbing stairs, kneeling, crouching, reaching, sitting and twisting.

Lifting greater than 50 lbs repeatedly throughout the work day.

Vision acuity correctable to normal with normal color perception.

Hearing acuity correctable to normal.

Acute sense of smell for normal perception.

Ability to verbalize so that the average person can comprehend.

Ability to write, perform data entry and look at computer screen up to five hours daily.

Cognitive Requirements: Ability to provide direct care according to the established plan of care and delegate to others.

Ability to carry out a variety of treatments, procedures and examinations.

Responsibilities:

Ensure safe and adequate services to each client admitted for care.

Recommend policy and procedures to assure high standards of care.

Develop patient care procedures as needed to direct the safe and adequate care of each client.

Review and approve patients for admission after review of the needs of the patient and personnel available for service.

Admit only those patients for whom safe and adequate care can be rendered.

Ensure that staff are assigned in accordance with their licensure, training, orientation and demonstrated skills.

Ensure that the same caretaker renders care when possible.

Assist in the development of the agency training programs.

Assist in the development of agency orientation programs.

Develop programs of ongoing training for staff.

Direct the implementation of all patient care management policies and procedures.

Implement all record keeping policies and procedures including those of the client record and the personnel file.

Participate in the investigation and resolution of patient care complaints.

Ensure that each patient is informed of patient's rights upon admission.

Evaluate staff service to patients, families and the agency.

Schedule and lead team conferences to plan client care or resolve problems in organization or management of care.

Develops plans of care, implements and evaluates according to established agency nursing policy and procedures and supervises other agency professionals involved in client care.

Develop patient care procedures as needed to direct the safe and adequate care of each client.

Involves patients and caregivers in the plan of care whenever possible.

Provides information regarding the client to other professionals, the agency and medical practitioner according to the policy of the agency.

Demonstrates the development of accurate, complete and timely clinical records.

Assesses patients' condition, therapy, and responses at each home visit, performs treatments and administers medications according to medical directives; communicates and documents appropriately and effectively.

Communicates client condition changes, needs and responses to care to medical practitioners and other professionals to promote timely and effective management of client's needs.

Accept medical orders according to agency policy.

Implements appropriate nursing interventions.

Supervises the development, planning and implementation, evaluation and revision of other professional service plans. Accepts responsibility for the receipt of client care records for the agency.

Responds to patient condition changes appropriately, communicates to supervising nurse, the medical practitioner, and other involved professionals.

Implements appropriate infection control techniques.

Communicates patients needs appropriately to the Director of Operations, medical practitioner and others.

Implements required clinical care efficiently and as ordered.

Monitors patient compliance with the medical and nursing regimes.

Demonstrates conflict resolution skill in practice and in working with the health care team.

Uses equipment and supplies accurately, and cost effectively.

Reports malfunctions, or inappropriate types, or uses of supplies.

Teaches family and caregiver's appropriate use, cleaning, storage, and disinfection with regard to equipment and supplies.

Complies with all agency policy and procedures. Makes appropriate recommendations for improvement.

Maintains confidentiality of client information, and records.

Complies with policy regarding patient rights, patient complaints, and advance directives.

Demonstrates knowledge of regulatory requirements as it relates to practice, documentation and communication.
Demonstrates cooperative team building skills in working with others.
Identifies educational needs of patients, caregivers, others and self.
Participates in educational programs to meet learning needs.
Demonstrates knowledge of current practice.
Participates in the activities of the Quality Improvement Committee.
Participates in agency development activities.

Assume responsibilities of administration as assigned by the Administrator and/or Operator.