Nurse

Position summary: Responsible for performing various essential duties and expectations to provide quality-licensed nursing care to the residents. To maintain and coordinate the highest practical level of total nursing for the residents. Participate with the Director of Nursing and other staff members, implementing specific procedures and programs.

Works cooperatively and respectfully with residents, coworkers, families, visitors, and volunteers to create a positive and pleasant environment in the home. Promotes the residents' psychosocial well-being through meaningful relationship building, and works with the household team to meet other social service needs of the resident and of the household, always providing support, friendship and kindness for each of the household members. All tasks are performed in accordance with current standards, policies, guidelines and regulations and in a safe and efficient manner.

Essential skill and experience:

• Graduate of an approved school of nursing; current Tennessee license to practice as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.
• Proficient reading, writing, grammar, and mathematics skills; proficient interpersonal relations, and communicative skills; auditory and visual skills; satisfactory completion of post-offer, pre-employment as required.
• Time management: the ability to organize and manage multiple priorities
• Computer proficiency, including word and excel

Preferred skill and experience:

• A minimum of one year's prior experience in long-term care preferred.

Reporting to this position: Certified Nurse Aides/Caregivers and LPN's for clinical purposes.

Essential duties:

1. Assess residents and analyze obtained information to develop appropriate interventions to prevent decline; record signs of change in condition; notify appropriate staff per facility protocol to evaluate weight loss, decline in ambulation, development of skin breakdown, etc.; observe conditions which indicate possible need for restorative nursing programs and then notify appropriate staff of the need for evaluation; inform the physician of changes in assessment when appropriate.
2. Administer medications and treatments to residents; place orders for medication to pharmacy.
3. May assist with residents upon admission to develop interim care plan and further assess in depth to contribute to the complete care plan.
4. Respond to emergencies; assess the condition of the resident; decide on the type of medical attention; call appropriate ambulance service if needed; notify family when resident is transferred or admitted to the hospital; notify the physician when a change in condition occurs.
5. Confer with residents and families; make referrals to other departments when appropriate.
6. Maintain resident clinical files; keep charts updated; document appropriately.
7. Complete and assist in employee and resident incident report forms.
8. Make rounds to see each resident daily and as needed.
9. Ensure that residents are aware of the services that are available to them; encourage residents to participate in activities program and provide staff support to enable residents to get to and from and participate in activities.
10. Maintain accountability for controlled substances; inventory medications at the beginning and end of the shift with another licensed nurse; notify D.O.N. of discrepancies.
11. Communicate status of residents to incoming personnel according to established procedures; communicate with physicians; transcribe, clarify, and implement physician's orders.
12. Supervise the certified nursing assistants/caregivers and determine work procedures and expedite workflow.
13. Ensure that certified nursing assistants/caregivers adhere to standard job requirements.
14. Assists in the admissions process of new residents and skilled patients.
15. Shift report to the certified nursing assistants, caregivers must include, but are not limited to, the following: Changes in resident condition, b. report of new admissions, c. residents scheduled for appointments, d. changes in specialized diets, e. individualized patient instructions, f. special attention needs to be given to the Caregivers/C.N.A.'s who are new to their assignments.
16. Must maintain skills necessary to safely and efficiently operate the following equipment and machines used in the performance of this job: telephone; fax machine, copier, various medical equipment and mechanical lifts.
17. RN will serve as household supervisor as needed.
18. Demonstrate on-going competence in: medication and IV fluids (as permitted per scope of practice), wound care, injections and ostomy's
19. Any other duty as directed by the Director of Nurses and/or Administrator.

Essential Expectations:

1. The employee is expected to adhere to all Uplands policies.
2. Maintain the comfort, privacy, and dignity of each resident in the delivery of services to them. Interact with residents in a manner that displays warmth and promotes a caring environment. Comply with HIPAA regulations.
3. Fully understand all aspects of residents' rights, including the right to be free of restraints and free of abuse. Responsible for promptly reporting to the director of nursing, or administrator incidents or evidence of resident abuse or violation of residents' rights, following abuse procedure.
4. Comply with current law and policy to provide a work environment from harassment and illegal and discriminatory behavior.
5. Operates washer, dryer and other laundry equipment.
6. Assist in folding, stacking, hanging and distribute laundry and linen as necessary.
7. Assist with wash, soak, dry, etc., soiled laundry and linen.
8. Assist with handling and washing infectious linens and dispose of infectious waste; following policies and procedures.
9. Assist with all meals.
10. Assist in maintaining a clean, safe, and sanitary laundry area.
11. Assist with sweeping and mopping as needed and/or instructed.
12. Assist with dusting furniture, light fixtures, lamps, window ledges, air conditioner units, etc. Use furniture polish on furniture as needed.
13. Assist with emptying and changing liners in all waste cans daily, or when needed.
14. Assist with cleaning and washing all basins, commodes, lavatories and fixtures.
15. Keep cleaning closets and work station clean and neat.
16. Must practice with LPN scope of practice
17. Must maintain skill necessary to safely and efficiently use various equipment and supplies. Use only supplies that are needed - Do not be wasteful.

Organizational behaviors and standards:

• Friendly - Actively seeks opportunities to provide outstanding service to others.
• Resident Care - Consistently anticipates and meets each resident's directed service needs.
• Caring and Compassionate - Purposefully takes the time to listen, keep residents informed and offer empathy.
• Energetic Teamwork - Actively supports others, works with others, and makes others look good. Provides leadership that empowers other members of the team to meet the residents wants and needs.
• Leadership and Professionalism - Displays pride in work and Uplands.
• Problem solving - Utilize 'win/win' problem solving model when attempting to solve work related problems.
• Environmental - Demonstrates safe work habits, genuinely takes pride in the appearance of the overall work area.
• Communication - Demonstrates appropriate communication related to face-to-face communication, telephone, answering calls, placing a call on hold, transferring calls, voice mail, use of speaker phone, and email.
• Commitment - Demonstrates commitment to the organization's vision, mission and values, co-workers, and self-development. Commitment to eliminate loneliness, helplessness, and boredom in the lives of residents.
• Diversity - Engages in interactions with an open mind while being non-judgmental and treats everyone with dignity and respect.
• Attendance - Regular and reliable attendance.
• Confidentiality - Protects confidentiality and privacy.
• Safety - Contributes to a culture of safety.

Physical demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands: See Physical Requirements form
• Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to odors, body excretions, and infections. Subject to bruises, scratches etc. from patients. The noise level is usually moderate.