Charge Nurse RN or LPN

Purpose The primary purpose is to provide direct nursing care to the residents and to supervise the day‑to‑day activities performed by nursing assistants in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations. The nurse ensures that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times. Delegation of Authority As Charge Nurse, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying assigned duties. Job Functions Provide direct nursing care to residents. Supervise nursing assistants, ensuring compliance with facility policies and regulations. Coordinate resident care plans and collaborate with physicians. Lead nursing teams and conduct daily rounds to maintain nursing standards. Serve as a liaison with other resident services for comprehensive care. Maintain accurate documentation and report findings to the Nurse Supervisor. Participate in facility surveys, quality assurance programs, and resident discharge planning as required. Administrative Functions Direct day‑to‑day nursing assistant functions according to rules and guidelines. Ensure nursing personnel comply with policies and procedures. Review and update department policies and job descriptions. Recommend policy revisions and report to leadership. Plan shift services, programs, and activities with the nursing staff. Maintain current Nursing Service Procedures Manual. Provide written and oral reports on shift activities as required. Coordinate with other resident services to maintain total care regimens. Participate in quality assurance and facility surveys. Review and update resident discharge plans with nursing input. Complete accident/incident reports and resident charge slips. Maintain Daily Census and submit to the Business Office. Perform administrative duties including medical forms, evaluations, and charting. Protect confidential information and report violations. Charting and Documentation File required recordkeeping forms on admission, transfer, and discharge. Encourage attending physicians to review and sign treatment plans. Receive and record telephone orders from physicians. Transcribe physician orders to resident charts, medication cards, and care plans. Maintain accurate, descriptive nursing notes. Submit accident/incident reports and chart accidental incidents. Implement established charting procedures and update records of diet and medication changes. Sign and date all entries in the resident’s medical record. Drug Administration Functions Prepare and administer medications as ordered. Verify resident identity before each administration. Ensure proper medication allocation and prevent dispensing errors. Maintain floor stock of medications, supplies, and equipment. Order prescribed medications and supplies as needed. Keep accurate narcotic records for the shift. Notify the Nurse Supervisor of drug or narcotic discrepancies. Review medication cards for completeness and accuracy. Notify physicians of automatic stop orders before final dose. Dispose of drugs and narcotics according to established procedures. Personnel Functions Participate in performance evaluations and staffing decisions. Inform the Nurse Supervisor of staffing needs and absenteeism. Review staff workforce, make recommendations, and develop work assignments. Provide leadership and conduct daily rounds to assess nursing standards. Ensure nursing assistants are enrolled in or graduated from approved programs. Maintain positive rapport with inter‑departmental personnel. Address complaints, grievances, and disciplinary actions fairly. Report occupational exposures, fraud, and safety incidents to the appropriate authority. Secure unattended computer workstations as per facility policy. Nursing Care Functions Inform nursing staff of new admissions and room assignments. Prepare rooms for new admissions and escort residents to their rooms. Orient new residents and family members to the facility. Coordinate diagnostic and therapeutic services with physicians. Review resident charts for treatments, medication orders, and diet plans. Implement and maintain nursing objectives and standards. Check treatment integrity and evaluate resident status. Ensure compliance with restraint policies when necessary. Gather specimens for lab tests and record vital signs. Monitor seriously ill residents and maintain safe facilities. Report changes in resident condition and notify physicians and families. Assist in the transfer, discharge, and transportation of residents. Provide bereavement support and notify families of resident death. Staff Development Develop, plan, and conduct in‑service training on job tasks and policies. Maintain an effective orientation program for new staff. Standardize work methods and train personnel on exposure prevention. Assist in planning clinical supervision for nurse aide trainees. Participate in outside and annual facility training programs (OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, Infection Control). Engage in continuing education to stay current in the profession and maintain licensure. Working Conditions Work in office areas and throughout the nursing service area. Move intermittently and experience frequent interruptions. Interact with residents, personnel, visitors, and government agencies at all times. Work beyond normal hours and in other positions when necessary. Be subject to call‑back during emergencies. Attend continuing educational programs. Face hazards such as falls, burns, odors, and hazardous chemicals. Encounter infectious waste, diseases, and hazardous chemicals. Maintain liaison with residents and support departments for planning. Education Possess a Nursing Degree from an accredited college/university, or be a graduate of an approved LPN/L.VN program. Specific Requirements Current, unencumbered active RN or LPN/LVN license in this state. Competent in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English. Knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices, laws, regulations, and guidelines. Leadership, supervisory ability, and willingness to work harmoniously with others. Ability to make independent decisions when warranted. Skill in dealing tactfully with personnel, residents, families, and agencies. Patience, tact, cheerful disposition, and enthusiasm for handling difficult residents. Willingness to seek and incorporate new methods into practice. Ability to convey information about resident conditions. No direct threat to health or safety of others in the workplace. Physical capability: move intermittently, lift/pull 25 pounds over 50 feet and 5 feet high, travel during emergencies, and meet general health requirements for the role. Physical and Sensory Requirements Move intermittently throughout the workday. Speak and write English understandably. Coping with mental and emotional stress of the position. Utilize necessary prosthetics for vision or hearing if needed. Maintain independence, personal integrity, and effectiveness with residents, personnel, and support agencies. Meet general health and physical examination requirements set by the facility policies. Work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and if needed, hostile individuals. Push, pull, move, or carry 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and over a distance of 50 feet. #J-18808-Ljbffr