Unit Managers are primarily responsible for overseeing day to day patient care, supervising, directing and developing nurse staff, and reporting to the Director of Nursing to ensure quality patient care within a long-term care center, skilled nursing facility or assisted living community. Unit Managers are required to be dependable and personable liaisons between residents and their families. Unit Managers are tasked with ensuring their unit complies with federal and state regulatory standards, and follows company policies and procedures. The daily tasks of a Unit Manager generally include:

• Maintaining and restoring health of resident patients
• Acting as a main point of contact between residents and their families
• Addressing and preventing concerns from family members
• Assists in developing, implementing and making adjustments to patient care plans as needed
• Supervises, counsels, and provides discipline when necessary, to nurse staff to ensure the highest quality care possible
• Ensures their unit meets federal and state regulatory standards, as well as company policies and procedures
• Collaborates with the Director of Nursing, Nurse Practitioners and Physicians to plan and maintain resident care
• Completes admission and discharge assessments
• Oversees and audits changes made to care plans
• Delivers hands-on care and medicine distribution as needed
• Audits and completes charting, evaluations, medical forms, and other administrative tasks
• Identifies procedural problems and works with the Director of Nursing to resolve issues
• Evaluates, prioritizes and meets the care needs of each resident

Unit Managers are expected to have an in-depth relationship with their residents and their family members, while also having a distinguished rapport with their staff.  This role is essential to every operational aspect of a long-term care center, skilled nursing facility or assisted living community. From ensuring individual resident needs are being met, to the effectiveness of procedures, to staff morale, the Unit Manager is a primary driver of how well a healthcare center performs. The Unit Manager enjoys a unique position within the long-term care setting. They are very involved with residents while implementing and carrying out procedures that will directly impact the care of those residents. Unit Managers have the direct ability to make a substantial difference in the quality of life of their patients.

Due to the degree of involvement registered nurses in the role of a unit manager experience, it is of the utmost importance that individuals seeking out this role are compassionate and have an innate desire to make a positive difference in the lives of those around them. The nurses in this role will need to be knowledgeable of regulatory standards determined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, also known as CMS, and the state regulatory standards for the specific state in which they are licensed and practicing. The nature of long-term care of an aging population presents many situations in which emergencies can occur. Anyone considering taking on a Unit Manager role, should give careful thought to their ability to stay calm, act professionally, and make decisions in high-stress situations.

There are several certifications Unit Managers are able to obtain that will help to further their careers. Nurse.org lists 183 different certifications that are applicable to RN’s in this role. However, here is a list of certifications that UM’s typically hold:

• Gerontological Nursing Certification
• Basic Life Support Certification
• Wound Care Certification