What are the responsibilities and job description for the Admissions Director position at August Healthcare?
PURPOSE OF POSITION:
The primary purpose of your job position is to plan, organize, develop, and direct the overall operation of the Admissions Department in accordance with current existing federal, state, and local standards, as well as our established policies and procedures, to assure that the medical and financial appropriateness has been considered for each resident prior to providing the services needed.
DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY:
As Director of Admissions, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your designated duties.
JOB FUNCTIONS:
Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Administrative Functions:
1. Plan, develop, organize implement, evaluate, and direct the admissions and marketing activities of this facility.
2. Assist in the development, administering, and coordinating of department policies and procedures.
3. Keep abreast of current federal and state regulations, as well as professional standards, and make recommendations on changes in policies and procedures to the assigned supervisor.
4. Review department policies and procedures, at least annually, and participate in making recommended changes.
5. Develop and implement policies and procedures for reviewing, identifying and evaluating the needs of the facility to ensure our census is 100% capacity.
6. Consider new avenues and ideas for census development including partnership with sister facilities.
7. Assess incoming patients and make sure they meet the medical facility's admission criteria.
8. Participate in community planning related to the interests of the facility and marketing the services of the facility.
9. Participate in admission planning, development and implementation to assess the medical and financial needs and appropriateness of potential residents.
10. Interview residents/families in hospital settings, at the facility or at a mutual acceptable location.
11. Perform administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms, reports, etc., and submitting such to the assigned supervisor as required.
12. Ensure all admissions paperwork is reviewed and complete based on state, federal and company requirements.
13. Arrange for the assistance of the Social Worker, Director of Nursing, Business Office Manager if needed to explain medical, social or financial issues that might impact the residents stay.
14. Provide information to resident/family as to Medicare/Medicaid, and other financial assistance programs available to the resident if needed.
15. As the Admissions Director, seek out potential patients who need skilled services. Connect with discharge planners, case managers, caregivers and staff to establish good referral sources.
16. Provide assistance to families of hospital patients who might not be familiar with long term care describing
services and benefits of a rehab / long term care admission.
17. Assume the authority, responsibility, and accountability of directing the Admissions department.
18. Maintain a quality working relationship with the medical profession and other health-related facilities, referral sources and organizations.
19. Discover new ways to market and consult the services offered by the facility.
20. Compile written and oral reports/recommendations to the assigned supervisor concerning the Admissions department.
21. Interpret the department’s policies and procedures to employees, residents, visitors, government agencies, etc.
22. Keep abreast of economic conditions/situations making adjustments in strategies as needed to ensure strong census for the facility.
23. Be available for facility tours for referral sources, discharge planners, family members or community leaders.
24. Continue to nurture and develop new referral sources including hospitals, senior programs/centers, churches, and community associations.
25. Be sure to forward any complaints and grievances from residents, family members, referral sources to the assigned supervisor. Follow facility’s established procedures.
26. Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies.
27. Follow up with residents, family members, as necessary, to assist with adjustment to the facility. Involve the Social Worker Director is necessary.
28. The Admission Director may be needed to speak or conduct meetings to promote the facility and services.
Committee Functions:
1. Serve on, participate in, and attend various committees of the facility (i.e. Infection Control, Policy Advisory, Pharmaceutical, Budget, Quality Assessment and Assurance, etc.) as required, and as appointed by the assigned supervisor.
2. Provide written and/or oral reports on Admissions activities as required.
3. Consider committee recommendations as they pertain to Admissions and Census Development.
4. Attend department head meetings, etc., as scheduled or as may be called.
5. Schedule and announce departmental meeting times, dates, places, etc.
Personnel Functions:
1. Assist in the recruitment, interviewing, and selection of Admission personnel.
2. Determine departmental staffing requirements necessary to meet the social service department’s needs, and assign a sufficient number of social services personnel for each tour of duty.
3. Recommend to the assigned supervisor the number and level of Admissions personnel to be employed.
4. Schedule department work hours (including vacation and holiday schedules), personnel, work assignments, etc., to expedite work.
5. Delegate administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability to other Admissions personnel as deemed necessary to performed their assigned duties (i.e., Admissions Liaison, Administrative support, etc.).
6. Counsel/discipline Admissions personnel as requested or as necessary.
7. Terminate employment of personnel when necessary, documenting and coordinating such actions with the assigned supervisor.
8. Assist in standardizing the methods in which Admission tasks will be performed.
9. Review and check competence of Admissions personnel and make necessary adjustments/corrections as required or that may become necessary.
10. Maintain a productive working relationship with other department supervisors and coordinate Admissions to assure that daily functions can be performed without interruption.
11. Assure that appropriate identification documents are presented prior to employment, and that such records are maintained in the employee’s personnel record.
12. Make daily rounds to assure that Admissions personnel are performing required duties, and to assure that appropriate Admissions procedures are being rendered to meet the needs of the facility.
13. Conduct departmental performance evaluations in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures.
14. Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents.
15. Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment, throughout the facility.
Staff Development:
1. Develop and participate in the planning, conducting, scheduling of timely in-service training classes that provide instructions on “how to do the job,” and ensure a well-educated social services department.
2. Develop, implement, and maintain an effective orientation program that orients the new employee to the department, its policies and procedures, and to his/her job position and duties.
3. Provide leadership training that includes the administrative and supervisory principles essential for the Admissions department.
4. Encourage the Admissions staff to attend and participate in outside training programs. Schedule times as appropriate.
5. Assist support services in developing, implementing, and conducting in-service training programs that relate to the social services department.
6. Attend and participate in continuing educational programs designed to keep you abreast of changes in your profession, as well as to maintain your knowledge and licensure (if appropriate).
7. Ensure that all social services personnel attend and participate in annual OSHA and CDC in-service training programs for hazard communication, TB management, and bloodborne pathogens standard.
Safety and Sanitation:
1. Assist the Safety Officer in developing safety standards for the Admissions department.
2. Ensure that the department’s policy and procedure manual identifies safety precautions and equipment to use when performing tasks that may result in bodily injury.
3. Monitor Admissions personnel to assure that they are following established regulations in the use of equipment and supplies.
4. Ensure the Admissions work areas are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner.
5. Ensure that all Admissions personnel follow established departmental policies and procedures, including appropriate dress codes.
6. Ensure that Admissions personnel participate in and conduct all fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner.
7. Ensure that Admissions personnel follow established infection control procedures when isolation precautions become necessary.
8. Ensure that department personnel follow established procedures governing the use of labels and MSDSs.
9. Report missing/illegible labels and MSDSs to the safety officer or other designated person.
10. Ensure that department personnel performing tasks that may involve potential exposure to blood, body fluids, infectious disease, etc., attend appropriate in-service training classes prior to performing such tasks.
11. Develop, implement, and maintain a procedure for reporting hazardous conditions or equipment.
12. Report any exposure to blood/body fluids.
Equipment and Supply Functions:
1. Recommend to the assigned supervisor the equipment and supply needs of the department.
2. Place orders for equipment and supplies as necessary or as may be required.
3. Make periodic rounds to check equipment, collaterals, brochures to assure that necessary equipment and brochures are available.
4. Develop and implement procedures that ensure supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.
Care Plan and Assessments Functions:
1. Develop and maintain a good report with all services involved with the care plan to ensure that a team effort is achieved in developing a comprehensive plan of care.
Budget and Planning Functions:
1. Forecast needs of the department.
2. Assist in preparing and planning the Admissions department’s budget for food, equipment, supplies, and
labor, and submit it to the assigned supervisor for review, recommendations, and approval, as requested by the assigned supervisor.
3.
4. Make departmental adjustments in order to conform to approved budget, and/or as dictated by an analysis of the monthly operating statement.
Resident Rights:
1. Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information.
2. Knock before entering a resident’s room.
3. Ensure that all social services personnel are knowledgeable of the resident’s rights and responsibilities, including the right of refusal.
4. Review complaints and grievances made by the resident and make a written/oral report to the assigned supervisor indicating what action(s) were taken to resolve the complaint or grievance. Follow facility’s established procedures.
5. Maintain a written record of the resident’s complaints and/or grievances that indicates the action taken to resolve the complaint and the current status of the complaint.
6. Provide residents with information concerning resident rights, living wills, etc. Explain as necessary.
7. Participate in resident/group council meetings as requested and provide support services to such council.
Miscellaneous:
1. Make weekly inspections of all functions to assure that quality control measures are continually maintained.
2. Be prepared to handle emergencies as they come up (i.e., rescheduling work assignments and work schedules, etc.).
3. Work with the facility’s consultants as necessary and implement recommended changes as required.
Other Duties:
1. Other duties as assigned
Working Conditions:
Works in office areas as well as throughout the facility. Moves intermittently during working hours. Is subject to frequent interruptions. Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/ personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances. Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, etc.
Communicates with the medical staff, nursing staff, and other department supervisors. Works beyond normal working hours, on weekends, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary. Is subject to call-back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.). Attends and participates in continuing educational programs. Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday, as well as to reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants. Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
Maintains a liaison with other department supervisors to adequately plan for social services/activities. May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
Education Requirements:
Must possess, as a minimum, a Bachelors Degree from an approved university or college.
Experience:
Must have experience in a supervisory capacity in a hospital, skilled nursing care facility, or other related medical facility.
Specific Requirements:
Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language. Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action. Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public. Must possess leadership ability and willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel. Must have patience, tact, cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as be willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity level in which they are currently functioning. Must possess the ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing social services. Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of the individuals in the workplace.
Physical and Sensory Requirements: ( With or Without the aid of Mechanical Devices)
Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday. Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner. Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position. Must possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position can be fully met. Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with the residents, personnel, and support agencies. Must meet the general requirements set forth by the policies of this facility which include a medical and physical examination. Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility. Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 50 pounds to a minimum of 3.5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 3.5 feet. May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.