About the RoleThe DeKalb County Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is looking for a compassionate, experienced leader to direct our Alzheimer's Special Care Unit. As Director, you will bring together the medical, social, psychological, and spiritual sides of resident care, and you will make sure residents on the unit are treated with dignity and respect, with a focus on building on their strengths.
What You'll Do- Direct 24-hour resident care on the unit: assess resident status, put care plans in place, and evaluate outcomes
- Keep families and legal representatives informed about their loved one's condition
- Work with Social Services to guide residents from pre-admission through discharge planning or end-of-life care, including reviewing prospective admissions, recommending placement, and counseling residents and families
- Recruit, train, schedule, supervise, and evaluate all unit staff
- Lead dementia care programs, including safety, skin care, psychotropic medication, activities, and therapies
- Manage care plan conferences for the unit and ensure that medical record documentation is accurate and compliant
- Plan and deliver education for staff, residents, families, and the community
- Develop and carry out a marketing plan for the unit
- Help shape policies and procedures, serve on committees, and support preparation for state and federal surveys
- Maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming environment that protects residents' rights and confidentiality (HIPAA)
- Assist with completing required resident assessments timely and effectively in accordance with MDS deadlines
What You'll BringRequired:- Experience managing an Alzheimer's care unit, or licensure as a Registered Nurse, or a Bachelor's degree with an emphasis in social services
- Strong working knowledge of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias
- Knowledge of state, federal, and local regulations for dementia care in Medicare/Medicaid-certified skilled long-term care facilities
- Supervisory experience and the ability to oversee and administer a unit
- Excellent assessment, communication (oral and written), organizational, and decision-making skills
- Patience, flexibility, and the ability to stay calm under stress and in emergencies
- Comfort with computer technology, or the ability to learn it quickly
- Current CPR certification
Schedule: This position requires flexibility, including evenings and weekends, 40+ hours per week as duties demand, and 24-hour on-call availability.
Physical requirements: The ability to lift up to 50 lbs, push residents in chairs weighing up to 300 lbs, and assist with transfers and ambulation, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Pre-employment requirements: Physical examination and TB screening within 10 days of hire, a criminal background check, and completion of orientation.
