hired on as a unit manager

Good Luck - You will need it.
Job focus? You coordinate care on your unit, you set the stage- the staff will take your colors, if you are lazy or sloppy they will be too (not implying anything personal here- just an example) . if you are caring and patient, take your responsibilities seriously, show respect, follow protocol, they will develop those attributes as well. You must be strong- remember you take the fall for problems and mistakes on the unit, take your time with orientation, keep notes, Develop a good relationship with the unit doctor, your supervisors- DON and ADON etc Stay on top of your paperwork. Keep a cool head. Become familiar with in house policies,
When you start- document all problems , keep copies of your memos that you send,
Keep us posted how it goes.

In each facility unit manager could mean different things.
You will probably be a "desk nurse" but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be out on the floor. That is the best way to see how things run and find out what the issues are. I suggest doing a bit of this too.
You will be dealing with the docs, other departments and families. Staffing might be on your list, MDS and careplanning, appt setting (resident doc visits). Maybe ordering supplies for you unit too. Staff development/ inservices. Employee evaluations.. Know your Policy and procedures. Get to know your staff, don't be a stranger to them or most importantly....Your residents.
Depending on what state you are in, you might need to do things for the LPNs, Ivs, blood draws, IV pushes...etc.

Depending on how large or small your facility is and how many other staff there is, your duties might be more or less. Covering for call offs or weekend rotation could be added in there too.

So nice to hear your enthusiasm, you are obviously enjoying your new job!! I am sure it will keep up- stay positive!!

.....Just curious. Why did you choose to leave Home Health. I will be doing the same. I'm leaving Home Health, have accepted a job as Clinical Coortinator/Unit Manager in a LTC Rehab Center, which I previously worked at for several years. I'm excited about going back to this new position. How is your job going? Good luck to you.

Thanks for responding. I can really say "DITTO" to feeling much the same as you. The job offered me in Home Health sounded like a real "dream job". It didn't turn out that way. I, too, got very tired of the "politics" and "competition" there. They offered me something to start that I believe they couldn't ever provide me. I was
assured there were NO politics there (by the DON who is also part owner of the company) before I started, but then I guess it's however YOU classify politics and who makes them! There are politics everywhere, and I believe there is no "perfect job anywhere". I never got the amount ($ or # of visits) they promised me, then when questioned, was given "excuses" as if I didn't understand what I was told, when I felt it was made VERY clear.
I also liked the work...alot, but after weighing the pros/cons I decided to take the new job offered me, which is exciting to me. The Home Care company was pvt. owned, and many of their policies just didn't seem very honest, but then I wasn't the one running the place and if you work for them, you have to go by their "rules", right or wrong. Where I'll also miss the independence, I won't miss the "politics". The benefits of working in LTC don't even touch the surface of what I was offered (not given) in Home Care. Once I made the decision to accept the new job, I didn't feel bad leaving the company, however telling the clients was difficult. I based my decision on economy, which made it easier. Good luck to you.