LPN Charge Nurse

The LPN Charge Nurse is responsible for making administrative decisions for the Community in the absence of the Resident Services Manager, Program Manager and/or Department Director. The LPN Charge Nurse supervises resident care throughout the department and coordinates resources from ancillary departments. Accountable for leadership of self and others and functions as charge nurse. Under the general direction of the Resident Services Manager, maintains shift responsibility and accountability for leadership and supervision of the department which promotes quality care and cost effective use of resources. Participates in direct resident care as required. "The LPN is a nursing care provider under the direction of the Registered Nurse or designee who utilizes the nursing process, nursing standards and physicians orders to plan and provide care. Accomplishment of nursing practice that includes practice elements as defined by the Kentucky Board of Nursing and in accordance with the Ephraim McDowell Health nursing professional practice model. Performance that accomplishes resident and family centered care as central to practice and a foundation of caring, compassion, competence, communication, collaboration and teamwork. Responsible to participate in shared nursing leadership to accomplish positive outcomes, education, respect, dignity and safety for the resident and their family. Accountable for leadership of self and others. Exhibits F.I.R.S.T. values (Friendliness, Innovation, Respect, Service and Trust)."

Essential Job Duties

1. Supervises resident care staff to ensure quality resident care in the absence of the Resident Services Manager, Program Manager and/or Department Director.
2. Assigns and adjusts staffing appropriately according to the acuity of residents.
3. Assumes charge nurse responsibilities including overseeing staff, acting as the main point person and resource for community and for managing maintenance issues, emergency situations or staffing issues, etc.
4. Maintains confidentiality of information of the department.
5. Maintains responsibility for general resident care support functions.
6. Responsible for completing the initial and ongoing resident assessment to participate in the service plan.
7. Responsible for completing the service plan documentation for residents in collaboration with resident, family and health care team.
8. Provides a comfortable and safe environment for residents.
9. Considers the age of the resident served, applies knowledge of growth and development and age specific techniques through life span (neonates/infants, pediatrics, adolescents, adults, and geriatric residents) in planning and implementing care.
10. Demonstrates a commitment to professional accountability and growth to maintain and expand knowledge and skills.
11. Contributes to the effective operations of the department by demonstrating dependability in job performance.
12. Individualizes/Prioritizes care to meet resident/family support person needs.
13. Assesses age specific resident Care/safety issues (National Resident Safety Goals, Safe Resident Handling, Restraints, etc.).
14. Educates resident/family/support person needs according to diagnosis, safety, medications, treatments and procedures.
15. Knowledgeable of and practices according to Personal Care policies and procedures (physician orders, wound care, accurately administers medications as prescribed, etc.).
16. Interprets Personal Care resident data and responses.
17. Provides direct resident assistance with ADL's including bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, transferring and toileting.
18. Provides direct resident assistance with any IADL's and other clerical functions such as phone calls to families, physicians, pharmacies, home health agencies or hospice, faxing, etc.
19. Evaluation and follow-through on all resident emergency situations to ensure resident is stabilized until EMS arrives or the situation is resolved.
20. Completes incident reports on all occurrences and contacts family/responsible party to report occurrence in a timely manner. Communicates incident to Resident Services Manager.
21. Implementation and involvement in all emergency procedures such as fire drills and actual responses, weather related emergencies, etc. to ensure resident safety.
22. Participates in meal service for all resident meals and snacks; assisting residents, serving meals, table clean-up and setting dining room for upcoming meal.
23. Ensures all residents are served in the dining room or in their apartment.
24. Maintains a neat and orderly apartment including daily trash removal and soiled linen pick-up.
25. Reminds/Escorts residents to and from activities; leads and assists with activities on a regular basis.
26. Observes compliance with oxygen, respiratory therapy and therapy exercise regimens.
27. Nightly resident rounds to ensure resident safety
28. Provides care for residents receiving hospice services in collaboration with hospice nurses and other care staff.
29. Maintains accurate and complete resident records to ensure expeditious retrieval of information.
30. Leads and participates in shift report and documents in communication log as needed.
31. Completion of monthly chart audits, infection control monitoring, and monitoring order compliance
32. Communicates directly with residents, families and outside service providers to ensure continuity of care between disciplines.
33. Demonstrates communication skills appropriate for Personal Care and for leading staff in the charge nurse roll.
34. Prioritization to meet resident needs.
35. Demonstrates a commitment to incorporating the core concepts of resident family centered care into practice (dignity, respect, information sharing, and participation).
36. Demonstrates a commitment to the development and implementation of shared governance across the Organization.
37. Performs other related duties as assigned (Committee Participation and Unit specific performance audits, etc.).

Demonstrated competence in the clinical setting.