Director of Care

Let us welcome you home at Hawthorne at Optima Living, Cochrane AB. 

Optima Living operates Independent Living, Assisted Living, Supportive Living and Memory Living communities in Alberta and British Columbia. Our communities are among the best places to live in Western Canada. 

Our Vision: For every person to feel at home. 

This is truly supported by our credo. "Let us welcome you home." All of us here feel it is an honor to work with our residents and we advocate a resident-centered approach where the Resident, is the focus of all our endeavors. 

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

Reporting to the General Manager, and/or designate, the Director of Care is accountable for directing and mentoring care staff to ensure resident focused care is achieved, maintaining accountability of the nursing staff to ensure that resident focused care is appropriate and implemented, promoting departmental activities to maintain high quality resident care. Central responsibilities include mentoring the staff to ensure the assessment of nursing care, planning and implementation of programs to meet resident needs and the coordination of ongoing care education at the facility. An ability to communicate effectively with residents and their families, staff, and others in the community is essential. The Director of Care acts as a professional role model for all staff.

Responsibilities-

Resident Care:

• Ensures there is ongoing development of comprehensive care plans tailored to the resident's short- and long-term requirements
• Ensures the care plans are monitored and evaluated for effectiveness and changing care needs and ensures appropriate action is taken in a timely manner
• Provide residents with a safe and comfortable environment
• Ensure schedules and work assignments meet or exceed the provincial and legal requirements for professional nursing and other care related services

Leadership:

• Provides leadership and direction to staff involved in the provision of continuing care by fostering and promoting new initiatives, interpreting and implementing care related policies and procedures
• Coordinates and communicates with other departments and staff to ensure that goals and planned changes are monitored and reviewed
• Provide staff with a safe and comfortable environment
• Network with other Care Directors and health care professionals
• Share information and participate on multi-site committees to develop and implement best practices throughout the organization.
• Required to work positively and collaboratively with all team members and supervisors.

Budget & Financial:

• Ensures that care programs are delivered in a professional manner: within the current budget allocation; and in accordance with provincial standards and legal requirements dictated for the provision of nursing and other medical services
• Reconcile long-term care activity reports to ensure resident days and levels of care concur with revenues derived from the regionally funded daily rate
• Is responsible for forecasting budget requirements and monitoring and approving expenditures including identifying and recommending new sources for products and services and providing rationales for budget variances

Occupancy:

• Liaises with Health Authority to ensure pre-screening for suitability and timely admissions to vacant funded accommodation
• Works with Marketing Manager to assess care requirements and suitability of private pay applicants
• Works closely with Assisted Living and Marketing Managers to facilitate appropriate and timely transfer of assisted living and independent living residents from their current accommodation to licensed care beds.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Audit and monitor the administration of medication
• Monitor and control the use of narcotics
• Investigate: document report and take the appropriate corrective action in situations where a serious incident has occurred
• Ensures that there are Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) initiatives undertaken in relation to care and the development of "best practice"
• Ensures that initiatives are based on audit/outcomes and indicators
• Exchange information and resolve Serious Incident situations with outside agencies including but not limited to Ministry of Health, Regional Health Board, Community Acute Services, education institutions, local health units; WCB
• Ensures licensing requirements as outlined by the Adult Care Regulations, Pharmacy review and Workers' Compensation Board are met. As the designated "manager" as defined by the Community Care Facilities Act, is the Person in Charge and is responsible for reconciling long-term care activity reports; Serious Incident reporting; and monitoring budgets and staffing levels.

Operational and Administrative Systems:

• As an integral member of the site management team, participates in decision-making - particularly in matters related to health and safety, resident care, financial, and human resources management
• Ensures that there are effective communication systems in place for staff, residents and families.

Qualifications & Requirements

• 2 to 4 years' management and/or supervisory experience preferred. Experience in a Long-term care, Assisted Living or senior services setting an asset.
• Successful completion of a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and current registration in the province of Alberta.
• All successful applicants must pass the vulnerable sector Criminal Record Check applicable to Provincial guidelines.
• Sound financial management skills, and understanding of funding in a residential care setting
• Ability to plan, direct and control the delivery of multi-faceted care services
• Extensive knowledge of the Community Care and Assisted Living Act; Residential Care Regulations; Service Provider Manual, including criteria for complex care
• Demonstrate empathy and understanding of the needs of seniors.