LVN

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionThe primary purpose of your job position is to provide direct nursing care to the residents and to supervise the day-to-day nursing activities of your assigned unit. Such supervision must be in accordance with current Federal, State, and local standards, guidelines and regulations that govern the Long-term care facility, as well as our established policies and procedures, and as may be directed by the Director of Nursing Services, to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is always maintained. Maintain Rights of Residents as set forth by the Texas Department of Health Laws and Regulations.  Direct the day-to-day functions of the nursing activities in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long-term care facility.  Ensure that the nursing services Policies and Procedures Manual is followed by nursing personnel, and that it reflects the day-to-day nursing care procedures always used by this facility.  Interpret the department's policies and procedures to employees, residents, visitors, government agencies, etc.  Ensure that nursing personnel are following their prospective job descriptions.  Ensure that reference materials are maintained at the nurses’ station and are current.  Periodically review the resident's written discharge plan. Participate in the updating of this plan as necessary.  Admit, transfer and discharge residents as required.  Complete accident/incident reports as necessary.  Assume the authority, responsibility, and accountability of the directing of the unit assigned.  Make necessary written and oral reports/recommendations to the Director of Nursing as required concerning personnel.  Inspect storage rooms, work rooms, utility closets, medicine rooms, patient rooms, etc. for upkeep and supply control and report any deficiencies immediately.  Assist the Infection Control Committee in identifying routine and job-related maintenance functions to ensure that Universal Precautions tasks are properly taken of.  Review complaints and other grievances from personnel and make changes as you deem necessary.  Meet with personnel on a regular basis concerning the operation of your assigned area. Assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or the improvement of services.  Other duties as assigned, with or without reasonable accommodations, to assist in maintaining quality standards and maintaining the facility as a viable and successful entity. Page 2Safety and Sanitation Equipment and Supply Functions Residents Rights Functions  Ensure that an adequate number of appropriately trained personnel are always on duty to meet the needs of your assigned area by developing work assignments and assisting staff in completing and performing such tasks.  Counsel/discipline personnel as may become necessary.  Ensure that disciplinary action is administered fairly and without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, religion, handicap, or marital status.  Develop and maintain a good working rapport with inter-departmental personnel, as well as other departments within the facility to assure that nursing services and activities can be adequately maintained to meet the needs of the residents.  Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the unit.  Ensure that facility personnel, residents, visitors, etc. follow established safety regulations, to include fire protection/prevention, smoking regulations, infection control.  Report all incidents and accidents immediately.  Correct all unsafe and hazardous conditions and equipment immediately.  Be prepared to handle emergencies as they come up, i.e., rescheduling personnel's work schedules, etc. and assuring that all such situations are handled in a timely manner.  Make sure that all appropriate protective devices/clothing are on hand for handling infectious waste and or body/blood fluids.  Ensure that all work services areas on your unit are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner, such as nurse’s stations, medicine preparation rooms, etc.  Monitor your personnel to ensure that they are following established protection and prevention programs by inspecting work areas and use of equipment.  Assure that personnel follow established departmental policies and procedures, including appropriate dress codes, and all safety regulations in the use of equipment and always supplies.  Ensure that nursing personnel participate in and conduct all fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner.  Participate in the development, implementation and maintenance of infection control and universal precautions to assure that a sanitary environment is always maintained, and that aseptic and isolation techniques are followed by personnel.  Ensure that an adequate number of supplies and equipment are on hand to meet the day-to-day needs of the department. Keep the Director of Nursing Services informed of such needs.  Make periodic rounds of your assigned area to ensure that necessary equipment and supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste and that all equipment is operated in a safe and efficient manner.  Ensure that nursing personnel are knowledgeable of the residents’ rights and responsibilities. Page 3Care Plan and Assessment Functions  Maintain confidentiality of all resident information.  Ensure that resident’s property and personal rights are always followed by your personnel, including assuring that personnel knock before entering the resident’s room.  Review grievances and make changes as necessary. If necessary, make oral/written reports to the Director of Nursing.  Monitor nursing care to assure that residents are treated fairly, with kindness, dignity, and respect.  Inform personnel of new admissions, their expected time of arrival, room assignments, etc.  Ensure that rooms are ready for new admissions and transfers to your units.  Greet newly admitted/transferred residents, introduce to staff, and orientate to unit, mealtimes, activities, etc.  Encourage attending physicians to record and sign progress notes, physician’s orders, etc. on a timely basis and in accordance with current regulations.  Make daily resident visits to observe and evaluate the resident’s physical & emotional status.  Monitor medication passes and treatment schedules to assure that medications are being administered as ordered and that treatments are provided as scheduled.  Provide direct nursing care as necessary and assist and instruct staff.  Report problem areas to the DON. Assist in developing and implementing corrective action.  Keep the DON informed of status of residents and other related matters through written reports.  Meet with residents and/or family members as necessary. Report problem areas to the DON.  Assist in arranging transportation for outside visits and discharged residents.  Consult with the resident’s physician in planning resident care, treatment, rehabilitation, etc.  Notify the resident’s physician and responsible party when there is a change in the resident’s condition or unusual incident.  Call funeral homes when requested by the facility and/or physician or by facility policies.  Authorize the use of restraints when necessary and in accordance with our facilities policies and procedures.  Make independent decisions concerning nursing care.  Start IV's, obtain sputum, urine and other lab tests as ordered.  Take vital signs as necessary.  Admit, transfer and discharge residents as necessary.  Assist the LPN in monitoring seriously ill residents.  Inform family members of resident’s death when the physician is not available or is unable to reach them in a timely manner.  Participate in the comprehensive assessment of the nursing needs of each resident in your assigned area.  Participate in the development of the care plan.  Review the residents care plan for appropriate resident goals, problems, approaches, and revisions based on nursing needs.  Ensure that all personnel involved in providing care to the resident are aware of the care plan and that the care plans are used in administering daily care to the resident.  Document in the nurses' notes appropriate information to indicate that the plan of care is being followed. Page 4Physical, Cognitive and Sensory Requirements Expectations  Graduate from an accredited school of practical nursing or vocational nursing.  Valid State license to practice nursing.  I.V. certification preferred.  Must be able to write and speak the English language in an understandable manner.  Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.  Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies and the 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 professional and non-professional 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, family and/or staff member.  Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.  Walking, reaching, bending, grasping, pushing, pulling  Ability to remain calm under stress.  Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.  Ability to demonstrate patience, tact, courtesy, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude.  Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times hostile residents within the facility.  Is willing to work beyond normal working hours, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary  Ability to read and write in English.  Must be able to lift and transfer a minimum of 50 pounds.  Be professional, supportive, and kind to internal and external constituents  Remain loyal and confidential to staff, residents, and owner  Keep the corporate office apprised of situations that could negatively impact the facility  Ensure only positive information is mentioned to all contacts of the facility, prospective residents, staff, sales staff, and inspection teams, etc.