Registered Nurse

JOBSUMMARY:

Theprimary purpose of your job position is to provide direct nursing care to theresidents, and to supervise the day-to-day nursing activities performed by licensedpractical nurses and nursing assistants.


JOBDUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
AdministrativeFunctions
• Organizeand assign all jobs to be done on tour of duty so that workload is evenlydistributed among nursing personnel on the basis of staff qualifications, sizeand physical layout of the facility.
• Periodicallyreview department policies, procedures and job descriptions and makerecommendations for revisions.
• Implementestablished policies and procedures.
• Ensurethat all nursing personnel assigned to you comply with the written policies andprocedures established by this facility.
• Meetwith your assigned nursing staff and support personnel to plan appropriateservices, programs and activities for your shift.
• Cooperatewith other resident services when coordinating nursing services to ensure thatthe resident's individual care plans are being followed.
• Participatein the development, maintenance, and implementation of the facility's qualityassurance program.
• Requestconferences with the Director of Nursing as needed to discuss resident,personnel and facility related business.
• Participatein facility surveys made by authorized regulatory agencies as requested.
• Periodicallyreview the resident's written discharge plan and participate in updating thatplan as required.
• Admit,transfer and discharge residents as required.
• Placeand receive, personally, all calls to and from physicians.

Chartingand Documentation
• Assistin updating the resident care plans as instructed by the MDS/Care PlanCoordinator and/or Director of Nursing.
• Chartnurses' notes in an informative and descriptive manner that reflects the careprovided to the resident, as well as the resident's response to the care.
• Documentstatus of each resident on the chart at least weekly, more often if significantchange occurs or as directed. Follow up with monthly and quarterly summaries asinstructed.
• Makerounds with physician, as directed, and record visits in resident's chart.
• Transcribe,accurately and promptly, all physician's orders.
• Directdocumentation and make weekly detailed evaluation of all resident documentationso that chart reflects progress and condition of resident at all times.
• Approveand sign charts when observations are made.
• Insurethat all medications and treatments are charted and signed followingadministration of the medication/treatment, by the administering person.
• Reportall discrepancies noted concerning physician's orders, diet change, chartingerror, etc. to the ADON or DON.
• Completeaccurate accident/incident reports as necessary.
• Fill out and complete transfer forms in accordancewith established procedures.

DrugAdministration Functions
• Prepare and administer medications as ordered byphysician.
• Verify the identity of the resident beforeadministering the medication/treatment.
• Ensure that prescribed medication for one residentis not administered to another.
• Ensure that an adequate supply of floor stockmedications, supplies, and equipment are on hand to meet the nursing needs ofthe residents.
• Order prescribed medications, supplies, andequipment as necessary and in accordance with established policies.
• Ensure that narcotic records are accurate for yourshift.
• Notify the ADON or DON of all drug and narcoticdiscrepancies noted on your shift.
• Prepare, administer and record all parenteral,intramuscular, sub-cutaneous injections.
• Administer I.V. fluid therapy in accordance withpolicy and procedure.
• Administer or supervise all treatments prescribed byphysician.
• Dispose of drugs and narcotics as required and inaccordance with established procedures.

NursingCare Functions
• Implement and maintain established nursingobjectives and standards.
• Make rounds at least every two (2) hours to ensurethat certified nursing assistants are properly administering prescribed careassignments.
• Make general observation and evaluation of theresident's physical and emotional status. Make note of any significant changesand communicate those changes to the ADON/DON according to facility policy andprotocol.
• Ensure that direct nursing care is provided by alicensed nurse, a certified nursing assistant, and/or a nurse aide traineequalified to perform the procedure.
• Cooperate with and coordinate social and activityprograms with nursing service schedules.
• Notify the resident's physician and/or next of kinwhen the resident is involved in an accident/incident or if there is asignificant change in the resident's condition.
• Cooperate with restorative and rehabilitativeprograms as requested.
• Inspect the treatment areas to ensure they aremaintained in a clean and safe manner.
• Administer professional services such as:catheterization, tube feedings, suction, applying and changing dressings, packscolostomy and drainage bags, taking blood, giving massages and range of motionexercises, care for the dead/dying, etc. as required.
• Administer restraints for residents in accordancewith physician's orders, established policies and procedures.
• Obtain sputum, urine and other specimens for labtests as ordered.
• Take and record TPR's, blood pressures, etc. asnecessary.
• Monitor seriously ill residents as necessary.
• Check foods brought into the facility by theresident's family/visitors to ensure it is within the resident's dietaryallowances. Report problems to theADON/DON.
• Ensure that personnel providing direct care toresidents are providing such care in accordance with the resident's care planand wishes.
• Ensure that residents who are unable to call forhelp are checked frequently.
• Meet with residents, and/or family members, asnecessary. Report problems/complaintspromptly to the ADON/DON.
• Admit, transfer and discharge residents asnecessary.
• Ensure that discharged residents are escorted to thepick-up area.
• Inform family members of the death of the resident.
• Ensure that established postmortem procedures arefollowed.
• Conduct week skin checks as assigned.

HumanResource Functions
• Assist the SDC in developing, planning, conductingand scheduling in-service training classes that meet the skill development andknowledge acquisition needs of your assigned staff.
• Implement and maintain an effective"unit/shift/floor" orientation for new associates.
• Assist in standardizing the methods in which workwill be accomplished.
• Respond to need for staffing shortages by arrangingreplacement staff, as directed.
• Conduct performance evaluations for your assignedstaff according to facility policy i.e., following orientation and annually.
• Review and evaluate your department's work force andmake recommendations to the ADON/DON.
• Develop work assignments for nursing staff on yourshift.
• Provide leadership to nursing personnel assigned toyour shift.
• Make daily rounds of your unit to ensure thatnursing service personnel are performing their work assignments in accordancewith acceptable nursing standards.
• Meet with your shift's nursing personnel, on aregularly scheduled basis, to assist in identifying and correcting problemareas and/or improve services.
• Develop and maintain a good working rapport withinter-departmental personnel to ensure that nursing services can be adequatelymaintained to meet the needs of the residents.
• Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth,personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm, quiet environmentthroughout the unit and shift.
• Review complaints made by your assigned personnel.
• Ensure that disciplinary action is administeredfairly and in accordance with established facility disciplinary procedures.
• Receive/give the nursing reports during shiftchange.
• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids,infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility'spolicies and procedures.
• Attend monthly in-service education programs inorder to stay current in your profession and meet facility educationalrequirements.

Safety andSanitation Functions
• Monitor your assigned personnel to ensure that theyare following established safety regulations.
• Assist the Infection Control Coordinator inidentifying, evaluating and classifying routine and job-related functions toensure that tasks in which there are potential exposure to blood/body fluidsare properly identified and recorded.
• Ensure that all personnel participate in appropriatein-service training programs prior to performing any tasks that involveexposure to blood/body fluids.
• Ensure that your assigned work areas are maintainedin a clean and sanitary manner.
• Ensure that your assigned personnel followestablished Universal Precautions and infection control procedures.
• Ensure that your assigned personnel participate inand conduct all fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe andprofessional manner.
• Ensure that an MSDS Manual is properly labeled andreadily available at the nurses' station and that all your assigned personnelare oriented to the location and use of the manual.
• Ensure that all personnel operate nursing serviceequipment in a safe manner.

CarePlan and Assessment Functions
• Review care plans daily to ensure appropriate careis being given.
• Ensure that your nurses' notes reflect that the careplan is being followed as written.
• Review resident care plans for appropriate residentgoals, problems, approaches, and revisions based on nursing needs.
• Ensure that your assigned CNAs are aware of theresident care plans and refer to the plan prior to administering daily care tothe residents.
• Assist the Resident Assessment/Care Plan Coordinatorin planning, scheduling, and revising the MDS, including the implementation ofRAPs and Triggers.

Miscellaneous
• Provide data to the Quality Assurance and AssessmentCommittee as requested.

ResidentRights Responsibilities
• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident careinformation.
• Monitor nursing care to ensure that all residentsare treated fairly, and with dignity, kindness and respect.
• Ensure that all nursing care is provided in privacyand that nursing service personnel knock before entering the resident's room.
• Ensure that all nursing service personnel areknowledgeable of and honor the residents' responsibilities and rights includingthe right to refuse treatment.
• Review complaints and grievances made by theresident and make a written/oral report to the Charge Nurse indicating whataction(s) were taken to resolve the complaint or grievance. Follow the facility'sestablished procedures.
• Maintain a written record of the resident'scomplaints and/or grievances that indicates the action taken to resolve thecomplaint and the current status of the complaint.
• Report and investigate all allegations of residentabuse and/or misappropriation of resident property.

WorkingConditions
• Works in office areas as well as throughout thenursing service area (drug rooms, nurses' station, resident rooms, etc.)
• Moves intermittently during work hours.
• Is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors,government agencies/personnel, under all conditions and circumstances.
• Is subject to hostile and emotionally upsetresidents, family members, personnel and visitors.
• Communicates with the medical staff, nursingpersonnel and other department supervisors.
• Works beyond normal working hours and in otherpositions temporarily, when necessary.
• Is subject to callback during emergency conditions.
• Attends and participates in continuing educationalprograms.
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste,diseases, conditions, etc. including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
• Is subject to injury from falls, burns fromequipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday, as well as to reactions fromdust, plastics, synthetics, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other potentialcontaminants.
• May be subject to the handling of and exposure tohazardous chemicals.
• Maintains a liaison with the resident, theirfamilies, support departments, etc. to adequately plan for the residents'needs.

JOBREQUIREMENTS:

Education
• Mustpossess a Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university, or be agraduate of an approved school of professional nursing.


Experience
• Aminimum of one year nursing experience required.
• Supervisoryexperience with Nursing Assistants.
• LongTerm Care and MDS/RAI experience strongly desired.

Specific Requirements
• Mustpossess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as an RN in thisstate.
• Atleast six (6) months as a staff nurse in a long-term care facility.
• Mustbe able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
• Mustdisplay professionalism both in appearance and attitude.
• Mustpossess the ability to solve problems and make independent decisions whencircumstances warrant such action.
• Mustpossess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, familymembers, visitors, government agency personnel and the general public.
• Mustbe knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well aslaws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to long-term care.
• Mustpossess the ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with and to coachand supervise other personnel.
• Mustbe able to plan, organize, develop, implement and interpret the programs,goals, objectives, policies and procedures that are necessary for providingquality care.
• Musthave patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as thewillingness to handle difficult personnel.
• Mustbe willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporatethem into existing nursing practices.
• Mustbe able to relate information concerning a resident's condition.
• Mustnot pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in theworkplace.

Physicaland Sensory Requirements
• Mustbe able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Mustbe able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
• Mustbe able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Mustbe able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses tofunction adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can befully met.
• Mustfunction independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and theability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.
• Mustmeet the general health requirement set forth by the policies of this facility,which include a medical and physical examination.
• Mustbe able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionallyupset, and at time hostile people within the facility.
• Mustmeet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of thisfacility, which include a medical and physical examination.
• Mustbe able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of five (5) pounds to aminimum height of three (3) feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carrysuch weight a minimum distance of five (5) feet.
• Mustbe able to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.
• Sitting: 1 hour per 8-hour shift. Alternates frequently to standing or walking.
• Standing: 1-2 hours per 8-hour shift. Alternates frequently to walking andoccasionally to sitting.
• Walking: 5-6 hours per 8 hour shift. Alternates frequently to standing andoccasionally to sitting.
• Lifting: 1-10lbs. Continuously

11-20 lbs. Continuously

21-75 lbs. Frequently

> 75 lbs. Frequently
• Carrying: 1-10lbs. Continuously

11-20 lbs. Frequently

21-35 lbs. Occasionally
• Driving: Rarely
• Pushing: Frequently
• Bending: Continuously
• Squatting: Frequently
• Kneeling: Occasionally
• Crawling: Rarely
• Climbing: Rarely
• Reaching: Continuously
• Grasping: Frequently
• Fine Manipulation: Frequently

(Frequency: Never=0%; Rarely=1-10%; Occasionally=11=33%;Frequently = 34-66%; Continuously = 67%+)

Equal EmploymentOpportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and do not discriminate on the basis ofrace, color, age, sex, religion, veteran's status, national origin, disability,marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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