Per Diem LPN

Registered Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse

Reports to: Supervisor

Position: Responsible for day-to-day resident and nursing care on the unit. Must be a role model of customer service principles. Consistently monitors and implements quality improvement efforts. Ensures that the unit functions according to accepted facility quality standards. Assumes responsibilities of the Charge Nurse in his/her absence.

Qualifications: Possess a valid and current RN or LPN/LVN state license. Gerontological nursing experience preferred. Possesses verbal and written communication skills. Ability to supervise nursing staff. Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend and squat for prolonged periods. Ability to push and pull objects and lift and carry up to 20 pounds unassisted on a frequent basis (occasionally up to 50lbs, unassisted). Full use of gross and fine motor of the upper and lower extremities (I.e., treatments, dressing changes, medications, administration, writing notations, operating bed wheel locks, etc.). Ability to read thermometers, charts and testing equipment.

Responsibilities: Participates in the day-to-day resident care activities. Provides for the delivery of professional nursing care in accordance with state licensure laws (I.e. resident conditions, treatments, tracheotomy care, tube feedings, IVs, etc.). Ensures compliance with federal, state, and facility guidelines that govern the nursing center. Ensures that the resident care policies and procedures are followed by nursing service personnel in compliance with each facility Quality Standards. Continually observes and assesses residents on the assigned unit and makes appropriate nursing decisions. Completes and/or assures completion of required forms (I.e., nursing assessment, medication administration record, treatment records, pressure ulcer and wound/skin condition evaluation reports, Medicare documentation, physicians' orders, acuity trends, etc.). Identifies resident care problems and concerns, contributes to short term goal-setting and nursing approaches on the care plan. Informs and includes residents in their plan of care (I.e., medications, treatments, etc.). Ensures that nursing care approaches are communicated to and implemented by nursing unit staff. Communicates with nursing staff throughout the shift. Recognizes resident/health care facility situations, problem-solves, and communicates to the appropriate individual(s). Ensures that medications and controlled substances are administered and documented in accordance with state regulations and facility policies and procedures. Communicates significant changes in residents' condition to physicians and, if appropriate, to family. Ensures effective documentation of residents' status, including the resident record, shift-to-shift report, accident/incident report, alert charting, etc. Or any other charting mechanism utilized by the health care facility. All other duties reasonably assigned.

Safety: Investigates incident and completed Incident/Accident reports in accordance with facility standards, policies, and procedures. Demonstrates knowledge of emergency policies and procedures. Performs all duties in a safe and efficient manner. Follows established guidelines when using physical restraints/protective devices and equipment. Demonstrates awareness of potential hazards and reports unsafe conditions to appropriate staff to maintain a safe environment for residents, families, and staff and other visitors. Uses and disposes of needles and other sharps in accordance with CDC, OSHA, and facility guidelines, policies, and procedures.

Infection Control: Demonstrates knowledge of infection and exposure control in all resident care to prevent the spread of disease and infection. Adheres to strict facility infection control guidelines for handwashing and universal precautions, and bloodborne pathogens as evidenced by appropriate use of personal protective equipment. Reports any and all exposures in accordance with OSHA and facility guidelines, policies and procedures.