RN - Regency

Registered Nurse

Reports to: Director of Nursing - Facility

Position Summary:

The Registered Nurse provides and coordinates quality nursing care for residents; implements specific procedures and programs; coordinates work within the department, as well as with other departments; reports pertinent information to the immediate supervisor; responds to inquiries or requests for information; and assists the immediate supervisor with tasks to support department operations.

Core Responsibilities:

Provides quality nursing care to residents in an environment that promotes their rights, dignity, freedom of choice and individuality as illustrated by the following:

• Maintains the comfort, privacy, and dignity of residents in the delivery of services to them. Interacts with residents in a manner that displays warmth and promotes a caring environment.
• Uses the Nursing Process to Assess, Plan, Implement and Evaluate care provided to residents. Assures that care is individualized to the residents needs and preferences.
• Fully understands all aspects of residents' rights, including the right to be free of restraints and free of abuse. Is responsible for promptly reporting to the Abuse Coordinator, Charge Nurse and administrative staff incidents or evidence of resident abuse or violation of residents' rights.
• Assists in maintaining a safe, neat and clean environment; addresses and resolves environmental deficiencies when possible, or reports to the Director of Nursing for follow up.
• Provides individualized attention, which encourages each resident's ability to maintain or attain the highest practical physical, mental and psychosocial well-being.
• Supervises other members of the health care team including nurses' assistants and LPNs, assuring that standards, policies and procedures are followed in the provision of care.
• Intervenes when changes in patients' conditions are observed or reported.
• Administers prescribed medications, and or start intravenous fluids/medications, and note times and amounts on patients' charts.
• Administers treatments as ordered, monitoring effectiveness and documenting response.
• Measure, record and monitor patients' vital signs, height, weight, Intake and Output.
• Collect samples such as blood, urine and sputum from patients, and perform routine laboratory tests on samples.
• Assesses results of diagnostic tests and reports to physicians.
• Documents are provided in a complete and clear manner.
• Assures that residents' hygiene, mobility, nutrition, safety, and skin care needs are met, assisting when needed.
• Answers residents' call bells promptly and courteously.
• Assists with orienting residents and their families to the nursing home on admission and to the unit when transfers occur.
• Lifts, moves and transports residents, using proper body mechanics or lifting devices for accident prevention.
• Communicates and interacts effectively and tactfully with the residents, visitors, families, peers and supervisors.
• Practices careful and efficient use of supplies and linen and follows established charge procedures for resident charge items.
• Performs all job responsibilities in accordance with prescribed safety and infection control procedures, including thorough hand washing, use of disposable gloves where indicated and proper disposal of soiled materials.
• Walks extensively to and from various locations of the unit while making rounds and transports residents within the facility.
• Promotes a homelike environment for residents.
• Responds to inquiries relating to his or her particular area or to requests from residents, visitors and other personnel within given time frames and established policy.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient information in compliance with policies and regulations.
• Completes mandatory training provided by the facility in a timely manner.
• Other duties as requested.

Minimum Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

Education / Training:

• Graduate of accredited Registered Nurse (RN) School of Nursing - Diploma or Associates degree.
• Must hold a current RN License in the State of Michigan in good standing.

Work Experience:

• One (1) year of Clinical nursing experience in a Long-Term Care setting preferred

Certification, Licensure, Registration:

• Requires current BLS certification.

Other Qualifications:

• Must be able to read, write and understand the English language
• Requires the interpersonal and communication skills to effectively deal with residents and their families to calm fears and to exchange detailed patient information with facility professional staff.
• Requires the ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
• Requires the ability to gather and assess patient information from a variety of sources in a timely manner and relay accurate information to professional staff.
• Requires basic keyboard familiarity, ability to effectively utilize facility information and electronic medical record software/system as required.
• Must embrace teamwork but can also work independently.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical Effort:

• Walking, standing, heavy lifting and bending for most of shift.

Work Environment:

• Works in a patient care environment and is exposed to x-rays, infectious diseases, contaminated needles, as well as unpleasant odors and patient care activities.