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Professional Resources
Role Descriptions
Rehabilitation Nurse Manager
Rehabilitation nurse managers have primary responsibility for
implementing the mission, vision, policies, goals, and objectives of
the organization and the nursing/clinical services within their
area(s).
Rehabilitation nurse managers are the liaisons between rehabilitation
nursing, other disciplines, and administration. In the liaison role,
rehabilitation nurse managers promote the philosophy and goals of
the organization, the development of team relationships, and congruent
rehabilitation practices. Rehabilitation nurse managers allocate
available resources for the efficient delivery of rehabilitation care
and participate in executive decision making related to departmental
functions.
Definition
A registered nurse holding primary accountability for the management
of (a) rehabilitation unit(s) or area(s) within a healthcare
institution, agency or ambulatory care setting and for services
provided to recipients.
Qualifications
- Progressive experience in clinical rehabilitation nursing and nursing management
- Bachelor�s degree in nursing preferred
- Certification in rehabilitation nursing (or obtained as soon as eligible)
- Strong clinical, leadership, and management skills; good
interpersonal and interdisciplinary relationships; a high level of
initiative and creative problem-solving ability
Functions of the Rehabilitation Nurse Manager
Rehabilitation Care and Services
- Provides input to the strategic planning process for the facility;
implements strategies and programs for rehabilitation care that are
consistent with the mission, vision, policies, goals, and objectives of
the agency.
- Develops a plan for the rehabilitation setting that focuses on the
provision of high-quality, cost-effective care for the patient with a
disability or chronic illness consistent with the facility�s or
agency�s strategic planning.
- Evaluates the quality and appropriateness of care and effectiveness
and efficiency of systems within the rehabilitation setting; institutes
practice changes based on evaluation and supports interdisciplinary
performance improvement efforts.
- Ensures that current rehabilitation research findings and
rehabilitation evidence-based practices are incorporated into clinical
practice and delivery of care.
- Maintains knowledge of trends in rehabilitation and healthcare and
helps staff identify the impact of these trends on the delivery of
rehabilitation care.
- Promotes institutional and professional rehabilitation nursing and
rehabilitation values, goals, and objectives among nursing staff and
interdisciplinary team members (e.g., patients� achievement of
independence, maintenance of optimal health and quality of life and
avoidance of further complications of disability, and return to an
active role in the discharge setting).
- Encourages rehabilitation nursing personnel to use the nursing
process, critical thinking, and ethical practice in managing patient
care and provides for continuity from admission through discharge and
successful reintegration into family, community, and/or alternative
discharge setting.
- Supports the rehabilitation nursing staff in performing the
clinical roles of patient educator, caregiver, counselor, consultant,
and patient advocate.
- Supports the interdisciplinary team model within the continuum of care:
- Collaborates with other professional disciplines in developing and implementing clinical rehabilitation programs.
- Provides an environment and resources that enable rehabilitation
staff to participate actively in setting goals, defining programs, and
evaluating outcomes for clients with disabilities.
- Promotes collegial relationships with members of all disciplines based on mutual respect and support.
- Helps members of the professional interdisciplinary team to
understand and value the unique contributions of each rehabilitation
profession.
- Participates in interdisciplinary committees and other activities within the facility or agency.
- Encourages an environment that supports rehabilitation nursing,
allied health and medical students/staff as they learn and practice
rehabilitation skills.
Personnel and Resource Management
- Holds overall accountability for the management of clinical
rehabilitation nursing practice and of allied health practice where
included in scope of role.
- Provides input into and maintains appropriate staffing levels and skill mix among staff members.
- Is accountable for the management of direct report personnel
functions; seeks to select and retain an appropriate skill mix of
qualified, competent, patient-oriented rehabilitation personnel with
diverse backgrounds.
- Provides for assignments that are commensurate with the level of
education and demonstrated competencies of personnel, using available
resources effectively and appropriately to provide efficient, safe, and
effective care of rehabilitation patients.
- Defines and oversees the orientation, education, credentialing, and
continuing development of licensed and unlicensed staff involved in
providing patient care and other services, in collaboration with a
clinical nurse specialist and/or an educator, as available.
- Acts as a role model, mentor, and coach to the rehabilitation
setting�s staff and provides developmental opportunities for staff to
acquire clinical rehabilitation skills and expertise; encourages staff
to seek advanced preparation and rehabilitation specialty certification.
- Defines, implements, and evaluates the care delivery system used in the rehabilitation environment.
- Participates and facilitates participation of staff in nursing and organizational policy formulation and decision making.
- Prepares and monitors capital and operational budgets, including
personnel budgets, for the rehabilitation setting; regularly reviews
expenses and revenue and justifies variances, as requested.
Personal Accountability
- Assumes accountability for remaining current regarding the
standards of care established by professions and organizations (e. g.,
American Nurses Association, the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses,
and professional allied health organizations, as appropriate)
regulatory bodies (e.g., Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health
Care Organizations [JCAHO], CARF the Rehabilitation Accreditation
Commission); and government (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid); is able to
determine implications for the rehabilitation setting and responds
using flexibility and creativity to promote compliance.
- Supports research activities in the general field of rehabilitation as well as in rehabilitation nursing.
- Continues to advance personal professional rehabilitation management skills.
- Advocates for persons with chronic illness and/or disability
through personal involvement in professional and other support
organizations and community activities.
- Is an active member of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses and
serves as an advocate for rehabilitation and rehabilitation nursing.
Sources consulted
American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) (1992) Role and functions of the hospital nurse manager.
American Nurses Association (ANA) (1995) SCOPE and STANDARDS for Nurse Administrators.
This role description was developed by the Administrative/Management
Special Interest Group of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses.
You may purchase copies of these brochures in packets of 25 for $10 each.
Rehabilitation Nurse Manager
Item no: rolemgr
*Price: $10/pk of 25
Order form
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