Director of Care

Job Description

McNally House Hospice

Where Compassion Meets Community

Position: Director of Care

Job-Type: Full-time

Location: Grimsby ON

Experience: 5+ years

McNally House opened its doors in April 2008. This free-standing, six suite, home-like residence provides free of charge, 24-hour specialized palliative care to people living with a life-limiting illness, as well as those in their life circle. The hospice is a non-profit organization serving the Niagara West communities of Grimsby, Lincoln, and West Lincoln. Along with the highly skilled professional staff, McNally has over 120 volunteers who give of their time and talents each week to help the residents and their families deal with life’s greatest challenges.

Summary

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Director of Care (DOC) leads and oversees the residential clinical care and is responsible for directing, organizing and supervising the work of the hospice clinical staff, which typically includes Registered Nurses and Personal Support Workers. The DOC coordinates nursing efforts and collaborates with the Medical Director and multidisciplinary professional staff to ensure high quality palliative care is being provided and quality standards are met in order to support the residents of McNally House and their families. As a member of the inter-professional care team, the DOC oversees the day to day functioning of bedside clinical care and ensures that residents and families are able to make informed choices about their care. Following a shared care model of staffing, the DOC liaises with the physicians, palliative care team and community agencies involved in the hospice. The DOC will serve as a Clinical Nurse Educator providing staff development expertise as an educator, consultant, facilitator, change agent, leader and researcher. This supports the development of the bedside nurse, and fosters empowerment through knowledge to achieve excellence through the delivery of evidenced based nursing practice.

Duties

The Success Candidate for this Position Must be able to:

• Understand and support the Mission, Vision and Values of the hospice
• Lead the clinical care team to ensure the delivery of quality palliative patient care and services by developing and applying best practices and standards of care
• Lead and oversee all best practices and legislative requirements for a healthy work environment (i.e. WSIB, OH&S etc.)
• Assist in the establishment/implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and systems for all operational areas of residential care
• Develop, implement, review, evaluate and update clinical processes, procedures, and supporting documents ensuring the compliance of the clinical staff with the established standards
• Oversee resident’s health and wellness needs including resident assessments and care plans; assisting in all aspects of care delivery as needed
• Facilitate resolution of complex resident and/or family issues when required.
• Provide human resource management for clinical staff, including hiring, training, scheduling, performance reviews, discipline and conflict resolution
• Collaborate with the Niagara West Palliative Care Team (NWPCT), HCCSS Care Coordinators, and other community sources to receive, assess and review hospice referrals
• Liaise with the NWPCT and Most Responsible Physician (MRP) to coordinate admission to hospice for the individual.
• Share on-call duties with other members of the leadership team for any clinical/staffing issues that may arise
• Direct and monitor the maintenance of health care records to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and the quality of care for residents
• Maintain positive communication with the families and/or responsible parties of residents on a regular basis to keep them aware and informed of the status of their family member.
• Develop evidence based educational materials and coordinate the delivery of education plans and learning opportunities
• Demonstrate superior leadership, organization, research, evaluation, time management and communication skills
• Possess a passionate commitment to excellence and ability to utilize and support team-based continuous quality improvement techniques
• Demonstrate a consultative team-based management style and strong problem-solving skills

Qualifications:

• BScN with a Certificate of Competence in the Province of Ontario.
• RN registration from the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). Must be in good standing with the College
• Canadian Nurses Association current certification in Hospice Palliative Nursing Care (CHPCN) is preferred
• Nurse Educator experience preferred
• At least 5 years’ experience as a palliative care nurse
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant management level experience, preferably in a hospice palliative care setting
• Knowledgeable regarding the nursing process and its application, including the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care as it relates to hospice palliative care.
• Excellent knowledge of palliative care symptom management
• Ability to function in a highly charged emotional environment as it pertains to death and dying
• Demonstrated ability to assist residents, family members and other clients with concern, empathy; respecting their confidentiality and privacy and communicating in a courteous and respectful manner.
• Demonstrated ability and commitment to work as part of an integrated system of care and seek and nurture partnerships that further patient care and system effectiveness
• Excellent Computer skills including use of electronic medical records, spreadsheets and experience in database development and oversight
• Hold a valid driver’s license, have use of a reliable car, and be willing to travel
• Provide of Criminal Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check

At McNally House Hospice, we recognize, respect, and celebrate the valuable differences that each of us brings to our organization and to the community. We are dedicated to a health equity focus in all aspects of its operation including:

• fostering a positive and respectful work environment that is free from harassment for all our employees, students, and volunteers;
• providing an inclusive working environment where everyone feels valued and respected;
• respecting the diversity and dignity of every employee, volunteer, student, client and caregiver;
• providing equitable and accessible services for clients and their caregivers