GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES

Responsible for the overall management of designated Veteran Care Center with performance measured in three major areas: Veteran care management, Veteran environment management and personnel management. Assumes responsibility for maintaining the standards of nursing care and practice, policies and procedures with authority and responsibility on a 24-hour basis. Delivers general age-specific nursing care for adult and geriatric Veterans, predominantly male; with varying degrees of chronic physical disabilities and diseases; as well as psychiatric diagnoses, depression, and various dementia related disorders, to include Alzheimer's disease; with accompanying behavioral issues. Provides guidance and supervision of assigned staff of the Veteran Care Center.

DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Veteran Care Management

• Assesses, plans, and evaluates nursing care and Veteran progress towards goals, directing staff as needed.

• Responsibility for ensuring that the Veteran's Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) process, MOS/RAPS inclusive is appropriate and timely.

• Participates in interdisciplinary team process to integrate nursing into a coordinated plan of care with all other support services.

b. Assures that Veteran care goals are mutually established with Veterans, families & staff.

• Maintains own competence and acts as clinical resource and expert role model to staff.

• Holds staff accountable for own clinical practice, including use of nursing process and appropriate documentation to meet all regulatory body standards.

• Assures staff knowledge and integration of age specific nursing of the Veteran population as a critical element in the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care.

• Develops systems for the evaluation of Veteran care delivered in relation to the Veteran care required, such as on-going medical record review, report findings, actions, and follow-up through the Nursing Department Performance Improvement process.

• Utilizes appropriate resources within facility to identify and provide education, technical or information services needed to staff or Veterans.

• Interacts with appropriate management personnel regarding Veteran care and related issues.

• Member of appropriate clinical committees to support Veteran care.

Veteran Environment Management

• Develops a care center's philosophy/goals which reflect the uniqueness of the care center, that is consistent with the philosophy of both the nursing department and the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke.

• Manages the care center fiscally by collaborating with the Director of Nursing maintaining accountability for approved personnel supplies and expense budget.

• Maintains a safe environment for Veterans, staff members and visitors.

• Works with other ancillary support services in the care center, initiating appropriate communication and planning to ensure a constant level of services to meeting Veteran care needs.

• Prepares written reports on care center issues, trends, and progress towards goals.

Personnel Management

• Participates in interview process for new employees; assists new staff members in orientation process, completes a competency-based skills inventory and assigns senior staff to precept orientees.

• Promotes teamwork with all staff assigned to shift.

• Monitors activities of the Veteran Care staff for adherence to standards and need for education.

• Promotes communication to staff members by conducting regular staff meetings to share information; maintains active communication by use of logs, etc. to personnel on the Veteran care center.

• Promotes development of all staff members by:

a. meeting with each staff member on regular basis to evaluate performance, identify areas for growth, set mutual goals and provide progressive work assignments.

b. develops leadership skills in personnel by conducting/precepting in orientation of new personnel and guiding the staff in the development of leadership abilities.

• Conducts progressive discipline with individual staff members as needed, documenting appropriately.

• Develops a Veteran Care Center based schedule and collaborates with other nurse coordinators/supervisors to assure balanced staffing patterns. Monitors use of sick time of staff.

• Evaluates each member utilizing EPRS system.

Facility Management.

• Functions as facility supervisor on weekends and holidays on a rotating basis with other Veteran Care Coordinators.

• Relieves other Veteran Care Coordinators, on a shared basis, during vacation, extended illness, etc.

• Identifies goals for professional development and attends continuing education opportunities to attain goals.

• Member of other SHH facility committees

• Performs other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED AT HIRE

• Knowledge of principles and age-specific practices of nursing
• Knowledge of standard nursing policies, procedures, methods, and techniques, including safe administration of medication.
• Knowledge of emergency nursing procedures.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of health care practices and methods in evaluating nursing practice. Knowledge of the coordination of the interdisciplinary health care team utilizing the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) process.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of Veteran medical information.
• Knowledge of Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI), including MOS/Raps process and interdisciplinary team approach to care planning.
• Ability to supervise, coach health care personnel utilizing sound personnel practices including counseling and progressive disciplinary action skills.
• Intravenous skills and knowledge.
• Ability to conduct staff interviews and knowledge of hiring practices. Ability to maintain harmonious working relationships with others.

Pre-Offer Process:

For BU and MI-MIV

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience as a registered nurse in a recognized hospital, clinic or medical facility and (B) of which at least one year must have been in a supervisory, administrative or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A Graduate degree with a major in Nursing may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience. No substitutions will be allowed for the required (B) experience.

Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL LEVELS IN SERIES: Current and valid registration as a professional nurse under the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and CPR certification.

*Recent graduates from an approved school of nursing must have applied for the first available registered nurse examination. Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's license may be required.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

COVID Vaccine: As a condition of employment, depending on job assignment and location, employees may be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination and/or other vaccinations, or to have been approved for a vaccination exemption prior to their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.