LPN or RN

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Position Title: Nurse (LPN or RN)

Reports To: Director of Nursing

FSLA: Non- Exempt (Full Time/Part Time)

Supervises: None 

POSITION SUMMARY

This position is responsible for providing nursing care to patients, as well as providing direction and supervision to non-professional personnel in the provision of direct patient care.

QUALIFICATIONS:

A minimum of five (5) years of nursing experience is preferred, but not required; preferably one (1) year of Chemical Dependency Nursing in addition to basic nursing experience; a current Tennessee Practical Nursing License; current CPR card.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

• Completes nursing assessments under the supervision of an RN in a timely manner and indicates potential problems.
• Ability to act independently.
• Collaborates with RN to open interdisciplinary treatment plan and appropriately develops treatment plan for all conditions.
• Communicates with patient/family regarding care plan and outcome goals; involved patient/family in developing plan of care and accomplishing outcome goals and/or consistently attends and participates in interdisciplinary team conferences.
• Facilitates patient support/educational groups.
• Provide patient care with minimal supervision.
• Adapts to assignments based on unit need.
• Independently recognizes and assumes additional responsibility.
• Administers medication using safety initiative of using two means of identification.
• Documents and reports affects of scheduled and PRN medication.
• Observes and reports affects of medications in a safe and accurate manner.
• Facility narcotics and patients own narcotics are handled appropriately.
• Demonstrates knowledge of specialty practice through clinical performance.
• Communicates pertinent information to peers and physicians and acts as a patient advocate.
• Anticipates patient needs and makes appropriate suggestions regarding treatment.
• Performs in a competent, calm and professional manner during crises or emergency situations.
• Performs proficiently and expertly.
• Aware of emergency medications, equipment and their location and is proficient in knowledge and use.
• Demonstrates ability to perform procedures and skills in a safe and accurate manner.
• Able to perform complex procedures and skills independently or with minimum supervision.
• Communicates and documents teaching and discharge planning.
• Accurately takes physician (verbal or telephonically) orders and documents appropriately.
• Transcribes and reviews physician orders.
• Accurately and legibly documents nursing intervention and expected outcomes, noting patient response, effectiveness of intervention and complications.
• Demonstrates ability to provide safe care.
• Thorough knowledge of pharmacy system (i.e. ordering, obtaining, and verification).
• Defines and classified common chemicals of dependency and is knowledgeable about different medications, protocols for detoxification.
• Recognizes potential dual diagnosis patients.
• Recognizes signs and symptoms of intoxication and different substances. 
• Adheres to HIPAA and other confidentiality guidelines.
• Utilizes standard precautions and follows infection control procedures.
• Adheres to and follows Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals.
• Aware of patient handbook contents. Adheres to program rules.
• Able to give thorough report to oncoming staff, supervisees and physicians.
• Able to answer inquiries regarding admission and facilitate process (pre-certs).
• Maintain unit safety in regards to contraband.
• Aware of specific duties and those of Program Technicians.
• Completes additional clinical tasks as assigned.
• Approaches interpersonal relationships in a manner that promotes cohesiveness, reduces conflict and provides for resolution with patients, families, visitors and consumers.
• Approaches interpersonal relationships in a manner that promotes cohesiveness, reduces conflict and provides for resolution intradepartmental and interdepartmentally.

ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP:

• Manages unit when in charge.
• Handles unusual, stressful, complex situations with minimal supervision.
• Maintains awareness of general condition of patients on unit.
• Serves as a resource person.
• Serves as a role model providing direction and leadership in patient care.
• Maintains patient care equipment.
• Informs Nurse Executive when equipment is in need of repair.
• Is cost conscious in use of supplies, medications and equipment.
• Identifies realistic strategies for cost containment.
• Implements strategies for cost containment.
• Demonstrates knowledge of facility standards, policies and procedures.
• Participates in Performance Improvement Activities (e.g. data collection).
• Ability to function in an environment regulated by Joint Commission, State, Federal or other regulatory entities.
• Complies with emergency and disaster plans and procedures.
• Completes additional administrative tasks as assigned.
• Active participation in nursing meetings and facility in-services and other training.

Competency:

• To perform the job successfully, an individual must demonstrate the following competencies:
• Problem Solving – identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner.
• Gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Customer Service – Manages difficult or emotional customer situations.
• Responds promptly to customer needs; responds to requests for service and assistance, meets commitments.
• Able to build rapport quickly.
• Oral Communication – Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations.
• Listens and gets clarification, responds well to questions.
• Written Communication – Writes clearly and informatively, edits work for spelling and grammar.
• Able to read and interpret written information.
• Quality Management – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Organizational Support – Follows policies and procedures, completes administrative tasks correctly and on time.
• Judgment – Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment.
• Supports and explains reasoning for decisions.
• Planning/Organizing - Uses time effectively.
• Professionalism – Approaches others in a tactful manner.
• Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions.
• Is able to function effectively as a member of the interdisciplinary team.
• Quantity – Complete work in a timely manner, works quickly.
• Adaptability – Manages competing demands.
• Attendance/Punctuality – Is consistently at work and on time.
• Dependability – Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The position requires good use of body mechanics and has a physical demand factor of medium work.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently liftand/or move up to 20 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision,color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Working conditions include exposure to allergens (e.g. latex) and potential hazards (e.g. electrical shock, chemicals, infection, needles/syringes, biohazard waste, computer use and medical equipment).
• Tolerate stressful situations and various conditions unpleasant to the sense of sight, touch, and smell.
• Ability to adjust to increased workload.

ATTENDANCE/PUNCTUALITY EXPECTATIONS

• Reliable in punctuality and attendance, adhering to facility and departmental policies.
• Demonstrates appropriate use of benefit time without such things as:
• Recurring absences in conjunction with days off.
• Frequent occurrences of single days off.
• Complies with company and departmental policies with respect to attendance, which includes providing required documentation and notification of at least four hours to starting time or as established by departmental policies.
• Adheres to time allotted for breaks and meals, and returns to work at designated times.
• Does not experience absences that adversely affect the ability of the department to satisfactorily perform essential job functions.

Requirements: