RN

PURPOSE OF YOUR JOB POSITION:

The primary purpose of your job position is to provide direct nursing care to the residents, and to supervise the day-to-day nursing activities performed by nursing assistants. Such supervision must be in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern our facility, and as may be required by the Director of Nursing Services or to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY:

As RN you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties with the RN scope of practice defined by the Ohio Nurse Practice Act/ ORC Chapter 4723.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS SATEMENT:

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Administrative Functions

• Direct the day-to day functions of the nurses and nursing assistants in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long-term care facility.
• Ensure that all nursing personnel assigned to you comply with the written policies and procedures established by this facility.
• Periodically review the department's and unit's policies, procedure manuals, job descriptions, etc. Make recommendations for revisions.
• Meet with your assigned nursing staff, as well as support personnel, in planning the shift's services, programs, and activities.
• Ensure that the Nursing Service Procedures Manual is current and reflects the day-to-day nursing procedures performed on the unit.
• Ensure that all nursing service personnel comply with the procedures set forth in the Nursing Service Procedures Manual.
• Make written and oral reports/recommendations concerning the activities of your unit as required to the Director of Nursing.
• Cooperate with other resident services when coordinating nursing services to ensure that the resident's total regimen of care is maintained.
• Ensure that all nursing service personnel are in compliance with their respective job descriptions.
• Participate in the development, maintenance, and implementation of the facility's quality assurance program of the nursing service department.
• Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as may be requested.
• Prepare the unit for pending facility surveys (inspections)
• Periodically review the resident's written discharge plans. Participate in the updating of the resident's written discharge plans as required.
• Assist in planning the nursing services portion of the resident's discharge plan as necessary.
• Participate in weekly care conferences conducted by the physiatrist.
• Interpret the department's policies and procedures to personnel, residents, visitors, and government agencies as required.
• Admit, transfer, and discharge residents as required
• Ensure accuracy of the accident/incident reports as necessary.
• Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc., as necessary.

Charting and Documentation

• Complete and file required recordkeeping forms/charts upon the resident's admission, transfer, and/or discharge maintaining compliance with the center's Medical records system- Electronic or traditional paper medical record.
• Review all new admission charts for accuracy and completeness. Follow up on all identified areas and forward summary of findings and actions to Director of Nursing.
• Encourage attending physicians to review treatment plans, record and sign their orders, progress notes, etc., in accordance with established policies.
• Review physician order process to ensure accuracy.
• Transcribe physician's orders to resident charts, cardex, medication cards, treatment/care plans based on findings of daily audits.
• Review nurse's notes to ensure they are written according to facility charting guidelines.
• Chart all reports of accidents/incidents involving residents. Follow established procedures.
• Report all discrepancies noted concerning physician's orders, diet change, charting error, etc., to the Director of Nursing.
• Fill out and complete transfer forms in accordance with established procedures.
• Ensure that appropriate documentation concerning unauthorized discharges is entered in the resident's medical record in accordance with established procedures.
• Perform routine charting duties as required and in accordance with established charting and documentation policies and procedures.
• Sign and date all entries made in the resident's medical record.

Drug Administration Functions

• Ensure unit staff prepare and administer medications as ordered by the physician.
• Ensure that an adequate supply of floor stock medications, supplies, and equipment is on hand to meet the nursing needs of the residents. Report needs to the Director of Nursing.
• Order prescribed medications, supplies, and equipment as necessary, and in accordance with established policies.
• Ensure that narcotic records are accurate for the unit.
• Notify the Director of Nursing of all drug and narcotic discrepancies noted on the unit.
• Review medication records for completeness of information, accuracy in the transcription of the physician's order, and adherence to stop order policies.
• Notify the attending physician of automatic stop orders prior to the last dosage being administered.
• Dispose of drugs and narcotics as required, and in accordance with established procedures.

Nursing Care Functions

• Inform nursing personnel of new admissions, their expected time of arrival, room assignment, etc.
• Ensure that rooms are ready for new admissions.
• Participate in the orientation of new residents/family members to the facility.
• Make rounds with physicians as necessary.
• Request and arrange for diagnostic and therapeutic services, as ordered by the physician, and in accordance with our established procedures.
• Consult with the resident's physician in providing the resident's care, treatment, rehabilitation, etc., as necessary.
• Review the resident's chart for specific treatments, medication orders, diets, etc., as necessary.
• Implement and maintain established nursing objectives and standards in accordance with the plan of care.
• Make periodic checks to ensure that prescribed treatments are being properly administered by the nurses and certified nursing assistants and to evaluate the resident's physical and emotional status.
• Cooperate with and coordinate social and activity programs with nursing service schedules.
• Notify the resident's attending physicians when the resident is involved in an accident or incident.
• Notify the resident's attending physician and next-of-kin when there is a change in the resident's condition.
• Carry out restorative and rehabilitative programs, to include self-help and care.
• Inspect the nursing service treatment areas daily to ensure that they are maintained in a clean and safe manner.
• Administer professional services such as; catheterization, tube feedings, suction, applying and changing dressings/bandages, packs, colostomy, and drainage bags, taking blood, giving massages and range of motion exercises, care for the dead/dying, etc., as required.
• Use restraints when necessary and in accordance with established policies and procedures in accordance with the plan of care.
• Ensure sputum, urine and other specimens for lab tests are obtained as ordered.
• Take and record TPRs, blood pressures, etc., as necessary.
• Monitor seriously ill residents as necessary.
• Check food brought into the facility by the resident's family/visitors to ensure that it is within the resident's dietary allowances. Report problem areas to the director of Nursing and Dietary Supervisor.
• Ensure that personnel providing direct care to residents are providing such care in accordance with the resident's care plan and wishes.
• Ensure that residents who are unable to call for help are checked frequently.
• Meet with residents, and/or family members, as necessary. Report problem areas to the Director of Nursing.
• Admit, transfer and discharge residents as necessary.
• Assist in arranging transportation for discharged residents as necessary.
• Ensure that discharged residents are escorted to the pick-up area.
• Inform family members of the death of the resident.
• Call funeral homes when requested by the family. Ensure that established post-mortem procedures are followed.

Care Plan and Assessment Functions

• Review care plans to ensure that appropriate care is being rendered in accordance with the plan of care.
• Inform the Care Plan Coordinator of any changes that need to be made on the care plan.
• Ensure that your nurse's notes reflect that the care plan is being followed when administering nursing care of treatment.
• Review resident care plans for appropriate resident goals, problems, approaches, and revisions based on nursing needs.
• Ensure that the nurses and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are aware of the resident care plans.
• Assist the Resident Assessment/Care Plan Coordinator in planning, scheduling, and revising the MDS, including the implementation of RAPs and Triggers.

Education

• Must possess, as a minimum, a Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience

• On-the-job training provided

Specific Requirements

• Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as an RN in this state.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
• Must posses the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must posses the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
• Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to long-term care.
• Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.
• Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures, etc., that are necessary for providing quality care.
• Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents.
• Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.
• Must be able to relate information concerning a resident's condition.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.