The Role

Leads the planning and delivery of resident care programs (nursing/clinical and personal care), including ongoing review/evaluation to ensure safe, quality, resident-centred care per legislation and divisional goals. Manages staffing and financial management required to meet program goals and service levels. 

Duties/Responsibilities

• Supervises Resident Care Coordinators, RAI Coordinator, and Infection Prevention & Control Coordinator. Indirectly supervises unionized staff, including Team Leaders, Registered Nurses, Registered Practical Nurses, and Personal Support Workers. Ensures staffing needs are met, including 24-hour staff coverage.
• Leads the planning, development, and implementation of resident care programs (e.g., nursing, personal care, special programs) for long-term care, convalescent care, and respite. 
• Manages program financial and human resources to meet goals and objectives.
• Develops evaluation systems to measure program/service objectives and manage compliance with legislation. Monitors quality improvement systems and processes.
• Analyses and evaluates nursing and personal care services in support of resident-centred care, and client satisfaction, per legislation and best practices. Develops and implements quality improvement/ best practice initiatives, including leading/participating in accreditation program teams, and conducting program reviews.
• Reports and follows up/investigates critical incidents with the Ministry.
• Manages documentation practices, including electronic documentation for resident assessments, and reports and statistics per legislation. Oversees the resident assessment instrument minimum data system.
• Jointly with the Quality Improvement & Risk Management Coordinator, develops and implements the annual quality improvement plan, and manages continuous quality improvement and change management.
• Responds to and tracks resident, family, and staff complaints, including those related to abuse.
• Collaborates with the Medical Director on medical issues to ensure appropriate resident services.
  Manages safe medication systems, procedures, and practices.
  Manages staff training programs and disciplinary actions as required. Ensures health and safety of staff through programs.  
• Establishes communication channels to staff, residents, families, and volunteers to ensure the proper dissemination of information, per confidentiality policies, procedures, and legislation.
• Develops and advises on nursing philosophy, standards, policies, and procedures.  
• Handles staff complaints and grievances, and participates in contract negotiations and arbitrations as required. 
• Participates in change management and strategic planning initiatives for the Division.  Represents the senior leadership team on committees. 
• Participates in peer groups with other municipalities and external agencies.
• Administers and provides input into resident care budget. Participates in the procurement process for equipment/supplies, and approves program purchases, requisitions, and monitors expenditures. Manages inventory of drug and nursing supplies and equipment. Manages appropriate, efficient use of resources for funding.
• Backs up the Administrator as required.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of interdisciplinary resident-centred long-term care, including gerontology, nursing services/clinical care, budgeting, and labour relations, acquired through a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, plus progressively responsible related experience in a long-term health care environment.
• Must have current Registered Nurse certification with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies and procedures, legislation, standards, guidelines (e.g., regulated health professions, long-term care, personal health information protection and consents, health and safety), and collective agreements.
• Negotiation, analytical, problem solving, and continuous improvement skills to plan and develop program and clinical care objectives; determine administrative, technical, operational, and financial goals; and manage compliance. 
• Leadership, human relations, and communication skills to manage, train, develop, motivate and support staff; set and defend priorities and balance objectives; represent the Division on committees; conducts and ensures complaint/abuse investigations and resolutions; conduct presentations; and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to write annual and quality management reports, letters, policies, and work plans. Ability to read and understand legislation, guidelines, journals, letters, contracts, and reports. 
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office, clinical documentation system, and resident assessment instrument minimum data system. 
• A tuberculosis (TB) test and annual influenza immunization are required.
• Must provide an acceptable Police Vulnerable Sector Check (Level 3).
• Ability to participate in an official standby/on-call rotation to respond to legislated or time sensitive demands beyond regularly scheduled work hours.
  Ability to travel within and occasionally outside Waterloo Region.
• Ability to implement and monitor compliance with the Departmental vision and philosophy for integrated customer service delivery within the division, across divisions, across departments and within the broader community.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.