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Hi, I just took a new job as a Unit Manager RN at a nursing home. So, I will need to be knowledgeable in nursing home compliance (CMS, osha, Joint commission, etc). Does anyone know any up to date resources where I can learn these regulations and what will be needed to be compliant? Thanks 

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Do you have any LTC background?? Very helpful.

Your DON should be able to direct you where/who to contact. (Things have long changed since my retirement.) 

I do caution any new mgt member to ALWAYS check their old surveys. Make sure things are corrected or in progress.

Welcome to AN.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

You are going to learn from many sources, many ways. Talk to credible, knowledgeable people at your workplace. Ask questions.

At meetings, there will be multiple references to regulations. You will need to differentiate opinion (personal interpretation and fear mongering) from fact. To do this, nicely ask for the regulation/policy/CMS/OSHA requirement in writing. 

Study and learn your facility's policies inside and out. Hopefully they are current and referenced by credible sources listed on the bottom of the policy under references. Look up those references and read them.

Ask if your facility has any digital access/subscriptions such as HCPro. If not, it's OK, because you can lookup government regulations yourself on the internet. The magnitude of regulations is overwhelming at first, but there are key regulations that present over and over. Learn those. Remember when you realized that out of thousands of medicines, as a nurse, you probably administer the same 20-30 meds daily depending on your unit and patient population? It's like that.

Subscribe to at least one professional journal ASAP. Find out what your boss reads. Once you have a subscription, you have access to years and years of information. Join your professional organization.

Search online CE providers for CEs pertinent to your learning needs. There are alot of CEs available on LTC, OSHA, TJC, and CMS. 

By keeping an open, inquisitive mind and relying on evidence-based information, you will become one of those rare but wonderful managers who is credible and rational. Proactive and not reactive.

Good luck in your new job!

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Specializes in LTC/ Staff Development Director.

Find the book The Long Term Care Survey, published by AHCA.  It is the book you need for survey guidance. 

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