Regional Recourse Nurse Proficiency in IV Insertion and Wound Assessment Required

Regional Resource Nurse

The Regional Resource Nurse serves as a hands-on clinical resource supporting approximately 3-4 skilled nursing facilities within an assigned region. Working under the direction of the Regional Director of Clinical Services, this role focuses on improving regulatory compliance, strengthening clinical systems, and proactively identifying residents at risk for clinical decline.

This role requires an experienced nurse who enjoys working independently, solving problems, mentoring staff, and directly impacting quality outcomes. Candidate must be highly proficient in:

• Clinical assessment
• Wound identification and treatment
• IV initiation and administration
• Communication with physician-level staff
• PointClickCare utilization

Essential Responsibilities:

I. Clinical Compliance Support (Approximately 23 Days/Week)

Working from audit findings provided by the Regional Director of Clinical Services and corporate clinical teams, the Regional Clinical Support Nurse will:

• Validate findings through medical record review, resident observation, and staff interviews.
• Correct deficient documentation and clinical processes whenever appropriate.
• Ensure care plans accurately reflect resident conditions and interventions.
• Verify physician orders are appropriate and implemented.
• Review nursing documentation for accuracy, completeness, and regulatory compliance.
• Audits will include but not be limited to: skin documentation, falls management, infection prevention documentation, high-risk medication monitoring, weight loss documentation, behavioral documentation, tube feeding documentation, dialysis documentation, respiratory documentation, IV therapy documentation, wound documentation, significant change documentation.
• Educate licensed nurses regarding documentation standards and best practices.
• Assist facilities in preparing for survey readiness.

Skin Integrity & Preventive Care

• Complete skin checks within 24-48 hours for all new admissions and readmissions.
• Audit to ensure treatment order changes are implemented promptly.
• Audit dressing dates for accuracy and timeliness.
• Conduct facility-wide skin sweeps.
• Identify high-risk residents (e.g., nutrition concerns, change in condition) and ensure preventive skin measures are in place.

II. Resident Wellness & Readmission Prevention (Approximately 23 Days/Week)

Serve as a proactive clinical resource focused on preventing avoidable hospitalizations through early identification of residents experiencing clinical decline.

Responsibilities include:

• Nutrition & Hydration Surveillance
• Review all residents at least twice weekly for nutrition and hydration risk.
• Evaluate:
• Meal intake
• Fluid intake
• Weight trends
• Intake/output records
• Recent illnesses
• Appetite changes
• Therapy participation
• Signs of dehydration
• Laboratory values
• Interview nursing staff regarding residents showing subtle changes.
• Identify residents requiring further clinical assessment.
• Early Clinical Intervention
• Review laboratory results and identify concerning trends.
• Recommend additional laboratory testing when appropriate.
• Collaborate with attending physicians and nurse practitioners regarding:
• IV hydration
• Medication adjustments
• Additional diagnostics
• Nutritional interventions
• Initiate peripheral IV access within scope of practice.
• Administer IV fluids as ordered.
• Monitor resident response to hydration therapy.
• Ensure appropriate follow-up after interventions.

Collaboration

• Regional Director of Clinical Services
• Directors of Nursing
• Assistant Directors of Nursing
• Unit Managers
• MDS Coordinators
• Nurse Practitioners
• Physicians
• Registered Dietitians

Qualifications

• Active nursing license.
• IV certification and demonstrated competency in peripheral IV insertion.
• Wound Care Certification.
• Excellent assessment and critical thinking skills.
• Proficiency in PointClickCare EHR.
• Ability to travel between assigned facilities.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Clinical Compliance
• Completion of assigned onsite audits within established timelines.
• Reduction in repeat audit findings.
• Improvement in documentation compliance scores.
• Survey deficiencies prevented or corrected prior to state survey.
• Improvement in corporate clinical audit scores.
• Resident Wellness
• Reduction in avoidable hospital readmissions.
• Reduction in dehydration-related hospitalizations.
• Reduction in acute kidney injury (AKI) transfers.
• Increased early identification of residents with nutrition or hydration concerns.
• Timeliness of interventions following abnormal laboratory results.
• Number of successful IV hydration interventions completed in-house.
• Reduction in emergency department transfers related to dehydration or failure to thrive.
• Reduction in facility-acquired pressure injuries.
• Reduction in wound-related regulatory deficiencies.
• Quality Outcomes
• Improved quality measure performance.
• Reduced unplanned weight loss.
• Reduced urinary tract infection rates.
• Reduced sepsis-related transfers.
• Leadership & Education
• Number of nurses educated during onsite visits.
• Positive feedback from Directors of Nursing and Regional Directors.
• Demonstrated improvement in facility clinical processes.
• Consistent documentation of interventions and follow-up activities.

Characteristics of Success

The ideal Regional Resource Nurse is highly organized, clinically astute, and action-oriented. They are comfortable moving between facilities, quickly identifying priorities, and working alongside facility staff to resolve issues rather than simply identifying them. They balance regulatory expertise with strong bedside clinical skills, helping facilities both achieve survey readiness and prevent avoidable resident decline through timely assessment, hydration, nutrition support, and evidence-based interventions. This role is measured not only by improved compliance but also by healthier residents and fewer preventable hospitalizations.