Registered Nurse RN

Administrative Functions Assist the Director of Nursing Services in directing day‑to‑day nursing activities in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long‑term care facility. Participate in developing, maintaining, and updating written policies and procedures that govern day‑to‑day nursing functions. Ensure reference material (e.g., PDR’S, regulations, professional standards of practice) maintained at nurses' stations is current. Recommend written material that assists the nursing service department in meeting daily resident needs. Ensure the Nursing Service Procedures Manual is current and reflects the procedures performed in this facility, and that all personnel comply with it. Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the Director as necessary, concerning operation of the department. Periodically review the department's policies, procedure manuals, job descriptions, etc., and make recommendations for revisions to the Director. Assist in developing methods for coordinating nursing services with other resident services to ensure continuity of care. Ensure all nursing personnel comply with their respective job descriptions. Participate in developing, maintaining, and implementing the facility's quality assurance program for the nursing service department. Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as requested by the Administrator or Director of Nursing Services. Periodically review the resident's written discharge plan, and participate in its updating as required. Assist the Director in planning the nursing services portion of the resident's discharge plan as necessary. Meet with nursing staff, as well as support personnel, in planning department services, programs, and activities. Admit, transfer, and discharge residents as required. Complete accident/incident reports as necessary. Interpret policies and procedures to personnel, residents, visitors, and government agencies as required. Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc., as necessary. Agree not to disclose user ID code and password for accessing resident/facility information to the Administrator and report any suspected or known violations. Report any known or suspected unauthorized attempt to access the facility's information system. Committee Functions Attend various committee meetings of the facility (e.g., Infection Control, Policy Advisory, Pharmaceutical, Quality Assessment, etc.) as required. Assist in preparing written and/or oral reports of nursing service programs and activities to submit to committees as directed. Provide information to the Quality Assurance and Assessment Committee as requested. Participate in developing the agenda for the Care Plan Committee meetings as necessary. Participate in regularly scheduled reviews of discharge plans and make them available to the Care Plan Committee. Implement recommendations from established committees as instructed by the Director. Personnel Functions Ensure sufficient licensed practical and/or registered nurses are available for the tour of duty to maintain quality care. Ensure sufficient certified nursing assistants are available for the tour of duty to provide routine nursing care. Develop work assignments, and assist in completing and performing such tasks. Delegate to each Charge Nurse the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary to perform assigned duties. Ensure all nursing assistants are enrolled in or have graduated from an approved nursing assistant training program. Ensure nurse aide trainees are under direct supervision of a licensed nurse. Make daily rounds of the nursing service department to ensure personnel perform assignments in accordance with acceptable nursing standards. Report findings to the Director. Monitor absenteeism to ensure an adequate number of personnel are on duty at all times. Report problem areas to the Director. Ensure established policies and procedures, including dress codes, are followed by all personnel. Review complaints and grievances made or filed by department personnel and report as required. Develop and maintain a good working rapport with inter‑department personnel and other departments to ensure services are adequately maintained. Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis in the unit and shift. Meet with the shift on a regularly scheduled basis to assist in identifying and correcting problem areas and/or improve services. Review and evaluate the department's workforce and recommend changes to the Director. Participate in employee performance evaluations, determine shift staffing requirements, and make recommendations concerning employee dismissals, transfers, etc. Ensure disciplinary action is administered fairly and without regard to protected characteristics. Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with facility policies. Report known or suspected incidents of fraud to the Administrator. Ensure departmental workstations left unattended are properly logged off or password protected with automatic screen saver. Nursing Care Functions Inform nursing personnel of new admissions, expected arrival times, room assignments, etc. Ensure rooms are ready for new admissions and greet newly admitted residents. Escort residents to their rooms as necessary. Make rounds with physicians as necessary and encourage physicians to record progress notes and orders timely. Inform the Director when physician visits are not made in a timely manner. Consult with the resident, family, and resident's physician in planning care, treatment, rehabilitation, etc., as necessary. Notify the resident's attending physician and next of kin when there is a change in the resident's condition. Visit residents daily to observe and evaluate physical and emotional status. Ensure direct nursing care is provided by qualified personnel. Review nurses' notes to ensure they are informative, reflect resident response, and follow resident wishes. Provide direct nursing care as necessary. Start IVs, obtain sputum, urine and other specimens for lab tests as ordered. Take TPRs, blood pressures, etc., as necessary. Admit, transfer, and discharge residents as necessary. Assist in developing and implementing corrective action, and keep Director informed of status. Assist the Charge Nurse in monitoring seriously ill residents. Authorize the use of restraints when necessary and in accordance with facility policies. Ensure RNs and LPNs on shift comply with written procedures for medication administration, storage, and control. Monitor medication passes and treatment schedules to ensure medications are administered as ordered and treatments are provided on schedule. Review medication cards for completeness, accuracy, and adherence to stop‑order policies. Inspect nursing service treatment areas daily to ensure cleanliness and safety. Ensure residents unable to call for help are checked frequently. Assist in arranging transportation for discharged residents as necessary. Inform family members of resident death and call funeral homes upon request. Staff Development Plan, conduct, and schedule in‑service training classes that instruct on "how to do the job" and ensure a well‑educated nursing service department. Assist the In‑service Director/Educator in developing annual training programs (e.g., OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, Infection Control). Assist in clinical supervision of nurse aide trainees. Attend and participate in continuing education programs to keep abreast of professional changes and maintain current licensing. Safety and Sanitation Assist Safety Officer in developing safety standards for the nursing service department. Assist Director or Infection Control Coordinator in identifying, evaluating, and classifying routine and job‑related functions to ensure potential exposure to blood/body fluids is properly recorded. Ensure personnel performing tasks involving exposure to blood or body fluids participate in appropriate in‑service training before performing such tasks. Ensure adequate supply of personal protective equipment is on hand and readily available to personnel performing relevant procedures. Ensure personnel follow established procedures for use and disposal of PPE. Monitor shift personnel to ensure compliance with established safety regulations for equipment and supplies. Ensure all nursing service personnel comply with established departmental policies. Ensure nursing service work areas (e.g., nurses' stations, medicine preparation rooms) and resident care rooms are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner. Ensure handwashing and hand hygiene procedures are followed. Ensure personnel participate in all fire safety and disaster preparedness drills safely and professionally. Participate in development, implementation, and maintenance of the infection control program for monitoring communicable diseases among residents and personnel. Ensure personnel follow infection control procedures when isolation precautions are needed. Participate in procedures for reporting hazardous conditions or equipment. Ensure all personnel wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies (e.g., back brace, mechanical lifts) when lifting or moving residents. Report missing or illegible labels and MSDSs to the Safety Officer. Equipment and Supply Functions Recommend to the Director equipment and supply needs of the department. Ensure an adequate stock level of medications, medical supplies, and equipment is maintained on premises. Assist Maintenance Director in developing a preventive maintenance program for nursing service equipment. Participate in development and implementation of procedures for safe operation of all nursing service equipment. Ensure only trained and authorized personnel operate nursing service equipment. Ensure all personnel operate nursing service equipment safely. Monitor nursing procedures to ensure supplies are used efficiently to avoid waste. Ensure appropriate MSDSs are on file for hazardous chemicals used in the department. Care Plan and Assessment Functions Participate in developing written preliminary and comprehensive nursing assessments of each resident. Participate in developing written plans of care for each resident that identify problems/needs, indicate care to be given, goals to be accomplished, and which professional service is responsible. Encourage residents to participate in the development and review of their care plans. Review resident care plans for appropriate goals, problems, approaches, and revisions based on nursing needs. Ensure all personnel involved in care are aware of resident care plans. Ensure nursing personnel refer to resident care plans prior to administering daily care. Assist the Resident Assessment/Care Plan Coordinator in planning, scheduling, and revising the MDS, including implementation of RAPs and Triggers. Review resident medical and nursing treatments to ensure they align with resident care plans and wishes. Budget and Planning Functions Keep abreast of economic conditions and recommend adjustments in nursing services to ensure continued provision of quality care. Recommend equipment needs of the nursing service department to the Director. Report suspected or known incidents of fraud related to billing, cost reports, kickbacks, etc. Qualifications Must possess a Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university. Must have training in rehabilitative and restorative nursing practices. Two (2) years or more experience preferably in a long‑term care facility. Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language; read technical procedures and understand policy and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers and employees. Mathematical skills to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Reasoning ability to make independent decisions and solve practical problems. Leadership and supervisory ability and willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel. Knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to age‑related needs of residents served. Supportive team member, contribute to and exemplify teamwork. Knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, and laws, regulations, and guidelines pertaining to nursing care facilities. Patience, tact, cheerful disposition, and enthusiasm, with ability to handle difficult residents. Willingness to seek new methods and incorporate them into existing nursing practices. Must not pose direct threat to health or safety of others in the workplace. Must possess a current, unencumbered, active RN license in this state. Current CPR certification; knowledge and experience with PCC preferred. Must maintain all required continuing education and licensing, and remain in good standing with the State Board of Nursing. Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday; speak and write English understandable. Must cope with mental and emotional stress of the position; remain independent, flexible, and have personal integrity. Must meet general health requirements, including medical and physical examination, as set by facility policies. Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift at least 25 pounds to a height of 5 feet and carry such weight at a minimum distance of 50 feet. May be necessary to aid evacuation of residents during emergencies. Physical Demands See Qualifications. Work Environment The work takes place in office areas as well as nursing service areas (e.g., drug rooms, nurses' stations, resident rooms). The role involves frequent interruptions, interactions with residents, staff, and visitors, working beyond normal hours and on weekends and holidays. The employee may be subject to injury from falls, burns, odors, and exposure to infectious diseases and hazardous chemicals. Additional Information Nothing in this job specification restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Critical features of this job are described under various headings above and may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. The statement is strictly to describe general nature and level of work; it is not intended as a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. #J-18808-Ljbffr