hired on as a unit manager

achot chavi · Feb 4, 2009

hello..... I was wondering...I am a RN BSN...and have been hired on as a unit manager at a LTC facility. what can I expect? I have been in Home health and have been a field nurse, an ADON and a Branch manager. so I have had a lot of experience. what all could I expect as a unit manager? I know a lot of the nurses in the LTC facility are LPN's and thats fine, I look up to these nurses alot because they know a lot more than I do a lot of the times!!! but what is my job really focusing on???? or what can I expect in a LTC facility?
I am so excited from my interview...and I cannot wait to start!!!!!!
:redbeathe

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.

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2009

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.

bebop1 · Feb 22, 2009

thank you! everything you have said has come true so far. I have enjoyed it so far. I have come from home health with ADON, and Branch manager experience and I think that has helped me. I hope it keeps up!

thanks! :yeah:

achot chavi · Feb 22, 2009

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

ame222 · Mar 8, 2009

hello..... I was wondering...I am a RN BSN...and have been hired on as a unit manager at a LTC facility. what can I expect? I have been in Home health and have been a field nurse, an ADON and a Branch manager. so I have had a lot of experience. what all could I expect as a unit manager? I know a lot of the nurses in the LTC facility are LPN's and thats fine, I look up to these nurses alot because they know a lot more than I do a lot of the times!!! but what is my job really focusing on???? or what can I expect in a LTC facility?
I am so excited from my interview...and I cannot wait to start!!!!!!
:redbeathe

.....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.

bebop1 · Mar 8, 2009

I wanted to leave the home health company I was with because, I pretty much did not like the "politics" in the office. It was horrible. It was like high school, and everyone trying to be the best, most popular and not listening to the field staff. I had a wonderful home health experince for 4 years in Louisiana and I loved it. This "big company" home health was nothing I stood for, and they did things that I did not agree with. And they changed their mind when I came back from medical leave, I was per diem, and I went from seeing 30-40 patients a week!!!! talk about over load...to them telling me I may have only 3-7 visits a week now. so...whatever...I didn't cry at all leaving that job.

And I am very happy to far at the LTC, its great! and I don't mind the work. the only thing I miss is being out on my own, and getting to 'shop, go to the doctor, leave when patients done.....cause now I am here at work from 8 -4:30...so thats different.

anyway!

good luck!

ame222 · Mar 9, 2009

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.