Position Description

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING
Position Number: 00045875	Description Activated On: 1/15/2026 7:53:10 AM

Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively.

The Nurse Manager I (NMI) is an essential position. This is a professional and administrative nursing position In the management and coordination of nursing care and treatment of the mentally ill patients under the supervision of the Chief Nurse Executive (CNE).The NMI collaborates with other departments and medical professionals to develop and evaluate departmental services and performance improvement-risk management activities within the Nursing Department. The NMI accepts additional/other duties as assigned by the CNE.

Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor.

The following duties and responsibilities are assigned to the Nurse Manager I:
The NM1 plans, organizes, directs, coordinates and evaluates the provision of nursing services operations. The NM1 oversees the continuity of nursing care and services to ensure patients are provided nursing care and treatment consistent with the policies, procedures, standards, and treatment plans of professional nursing practice. The NM1 evaluates the nursing care and treatment process to ensure compliance with the medical, psychiatric and nursing regime, and that optimum care and treatment are provided for the patient. The NM1 coordinates and collaborates individual/patient nursing care and treatment with other disciplines, assisting in the maintenance of nursing treatment and nursing quality improvement/risk management standards.

The NM1 assures all patients are treated with dignity and respect as well as protecting civil and human rights of patients at all times by Nursing staff. The NM1 initiates/directs the immediate action to provide for the safety of the patient and the timely reporting of all reports/observations of allegations of patient abuse. When assigned, Nurse Manager assumes facility wide responsibilities of Administrative Investigation Coordinator.

The NM1 directs, instructs and manages professional, para-professional and non-professional nursing staff in the application of professional nursing practices and in the direct care and treatment of individual patients. Participates in the development of policies/procedures regulating the conduct of nursing services; continuously evaluates their effectiveness and promotes staff development and continuing nursing education and training. Is involved in the planning phases of organizational changes identifying shift specific priority areas based on assessment needs.

The NM1 supervises Registered Nurse Supervisors and evaluates their overall capabilities in providing professional nursing care and treatment. Supervises nursing service staff responsible for the provision of direct patient nursing care and treatment. Makes rounds to ensure patients are provided care consistent with policies/procedures/nursing care/standards. Serves as a resource person to nursing staff as well as other disciplines as appropriate, to facilitate quality of care. Participates in committees, investigations, and special projects by contributing nursing input to all disciplines as requested. Assesses staffing patterns/competency and staffing needs to ensure that staff utilization is sufficient within the clinical treatment areas, programming, and individual patient care units and living areas.

SUPPORTIVE ACTIVITIES:

A. This position is responsible to plan, direct, evaluate, and coordinate the provision of Nursing Service on assigned shift(s). Duties associated with this area include but are not limited to:
a. Make weekly rounds or more frequently as needed in all building areas and on grounds to identify problems, to design, implement, and evaluate corrective action plans and to ensure compliance with standards of accrediting bodies and policies and procedures of the Clarks Summit State Hospital.
b. Consults with Charge/Staff nurses, Supervisors, Nurse Managers, and/or Chief Nurse Executive daily to assess programs, plans, accomplishments, and problem areas.
c. Reviews all reports submitted by Registered Nurse Supervisors which contain data regarding monitors, investigations, disciplinary actions, EPR’s, staff training records, meeting minutes, counseling records, and other assigned reports. Oversees timely submission of same.
d. In compliance with established meeting schedules, works with Registered Nurse Supervisors to conduct meetings with various levels of staff as needed. Submits minutes of meetings in approved format.
e. Assigns projects and duties to Supervisors, and/or Staff Nurses as necessary and monitors progress.
f. Reviews the twenty-four-hour Nursing Service Report on a daily basis for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with policies and procedures and standards of governing bodies. Presents summary of information to administrative staff at morning report meeting.
g. Develops procedures, programs, and systems for improvement of assigned areas as necessary.
h. Conveys, interprets, and enforces CSSH and Nursing Department policies and procedures to all staff.
i. Reviews treatment plans, nursing documentation on charts, and Nursing Interventions to ensure quality and accuracy.
j. Serves as a resource person to nursing staff for professional and administrative matters.
k. Observes, monitors, and evaluates orientation for all RN’s, LPN’s, and PA’s on assigned shift(s). Conducts orientation to the Registered Nurse Supervisors on assigned shift(s).
l. Assist Registered Nurse Instructors with organizing in-service education programs.
Works with the Registered Nurse Supervisors and other disciplines to conduct in-service education, e.g., mock codes, Basic Life Support (BLS), and Commonwealth approved Crisis Intervention Techniques on assigned shifts.
m. Assure availability of BLS and Crisis Intervention Technique Trainers for assigned shift(s).

B. This position is responsible to direct and supervise the implementation of Patient Abuse Policy and when assigned, coordinates the patient related administrative investigations, facility wide. Duties associated with implementation of the Patient Abuse Policy includes but are not limited to:
a. Upon observation of an act or receiving a report of alleged patient abuse, the NM1.
immediately takes action to provide for patient safety and address treatment needs of patient.
b. NM1 initiates the reporting procedure for patient abuse.
c. Directs RNS to begin the collection of facts regarding the incident by questioning the patient, and others present as appropriate.
2. Duties associated Administrative Investigation Coordinator includes but not limited to:
a. Receives all complaints and allegations of patient abuse.
b. Notifies appropriate parties and agencies of patient abuse allegations.
c. Tracks progress of all ongoing administrative investigations for timeliness accuracy, thoroughness, and completion.
d. Reviews investigations completed by investigators to ensure compliance to Commonwealth Labor Guidelines, laws, Administrative Bulletins and Commonwealth regulations.
e. Coordinates investigations with Labor Relations as needed.
f. Conducts closure meeting, communicates outcome to appropriate department(s) and agencies. Follows up with recommended corrective actions.

C. This position is responsible to perform general administrative duties associated with the management of Nursing Services on assigned shift(s). The duties associated with this include but are not limited to:
a. Responsible for special assignments delegated by the Chief Nurse Executive.
c. Participates in the review of nursing and hospital policies by communicating shift specific input to Policy and Procedure committee. Receives training on newly revised policies and procedures, disseminates information to the RNS and evaluates training to the nursing staff. Implements nursing and hospital policies and procedures as necessary.
d. Conducts investigations and submits reports as assigned.
e. Reviews unusual incidents on a daily basis and submits follow up reports by due date.
f. Participates on assigned hospital and nursing committees.
g. Attends professional meetings, conferences, and educational programs both on and off hospital grounds.
h. Prepares reports relative to programs, changes, trends, and/or investigations within the Nursing Department.
i. Communicates with interdisciplinary staff and/or other agencies as needed.
j. Issues memos and directives to nursing staff as required.
k. Evaluates needs for capital items annually.
l. Completes all assigned nursing monitors and audits.
m. Work with RNS to investigate all unusual occurrences and threatening situations. Evaluate documentation of incident and provide guidance and direction for plan of correction. Follow through with evaluation of same.

D. This position directs and monitors personnel activities and staffing to meet the demands of patient care and enhance the level of psychiatric nursing on assigned shift. The duties associated with this include but are not limited to:
a. Reviews overall staffing numbers and competencies of staff to meet the nursing care needs of assigned shift. Submits appropriate recommendations to the Chief Nurse Executive.
b. Directs and assists the Registered Nurse Supervisor with daily deployment of staff to meet the demands of patient care.
c. Reviews and evaluates staffing coverage on a daily basis and functions as final decision maker for all staffing issues, especially overtime.
d. Implements the disciplinary program to comply with Department of Human Services regulations and contractual agreements.
e. When assigned, interviews new applicants and recommends candidates for hiring.
f. Works closely with nursing administration, supervisory, and educational staff to identify educational needs of staff and to arrange the scheduling of staff for in-service classes and programs.
g. Develops and implements job descriptions and performance standards for Registered Nurse Supervisors on assigned shift(s). Oversees job descriptions and performance standards for RNs, LPNs and PAs.
h. Directs the leave management program to include sick leave control. Serves as final approving authority for all requested time on assigned shift(s).

E. This position serves as the direct supervisor for Registered Nurse Supervisors and reviewing officer for Registered Nurses and ancillary services as needed on assigned shift(s). The duties associated with this include but are not limited to:
a. Responsible for the development, modification, revision of all performance standards for Registered Nurse Supervisor and evaluates Registered Nurse Supervisor’s job performance according to standards. Reviews all performance standards for registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, psychiatric aide, and psychiatric aide trainee and makes recommendations to Registered Nurse Supervisors.
b. Provides direction, counseling, guidance, teaching, and discipline to all employees supervised.
c. Completes time schedules and approves or disapproves leave for the Registered Nurse Supervisors (annual, compensatory, and sick leave).
d. Prepares performance evaluation reports by the due dates in compliance with Department of Human Services regulations.
e. Issues assignments to Registered Nurse Supervisors with due dates for completion as needed.
f. Performs the full range of supervisory duties as assigned.
g. May participate in the performance of their subordinates work consistent with operation or organization requirements.

Maintains current Commonwealth approved Crisis Intervention Certification

Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature.

Makes independent decisions of a routine nature based upon professional training, job knowledge and competency. Communicates and collaborates with Prescriber’s, Nurse Managers, Chief Nurse Executive, CEO and/or Administrator on call. Will escalate unusual and/or critical situation/information to the CNE or Administrator on call and/or CEO. The NM1 must possess the ability to evaluate effectiveness and revise approaches as needed throughout the nursing department.

Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License

Experience:

Two years as a Registered Nurse Supervisor or three years as a Registered Nurse Instructor (commonwealth titles) in a facility providing care and services for people with a mental or physical injury, illness or developmental disability; or
Six years of professional nursing experience which includes one year in a supervisory or consultative capacity providing nursing care and services for people with a mental or physical injury, illness or developmental disability and a bachelor’s degree in nursing, nursing education or nursing administration. A masters degree in nursing, nursing education or nursing administration may be substituted for up to one year of the required general professional nursing work experience; or
An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes one year in a supervisory or consultative capacity providing nursing care and services for people with a mental or physical injury, illness or developmental disability.

Licenses, registrations, or certifications:

1.   Registered Nurse

2.   Basic Life Support Certification

3.   N/A

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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.

1.	Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships.
2.	Knowledge of current nursing theories, practices and developments including pharmacology, psychopharmacology, and medical treatments.
3.	Ability to organize, direct, coordinate and manage work of others including overtime, scheduling and grievance handling.
4.	Knowledge of principles of quality management, risk management, quality assurance and improvement.
5.	Ability to direct, instruct and manage professional, paraprofessional and nonprofessional nursing personnel.
6.	Ability to monitor and evaluate nursing care and treatment provided for compliance with current policy, licensure, and nursing standards.
7.	Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Ability to create and maintain electronic reports.
8.	Moderate computer skills including use of outlook, word and excel.
9.	Ability to complete all required documentation both written and electronic.
10.	Respond to emergencies. Pace must be faster than normal walking, remains alert to potential dangers on and off unit at all times.