Restorative Care Nurse

Restorative Care Nurse

The primary purpose of your job position is to perform restorative nursing procedures that maximize the resident's existing abilities, emphasize independence instead of dependence, and minimize the negative effects of disability with an attitude of realistic optimism under the supervision of a restorative nurse. As a Restorative Care Nurse, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties. Essential duties and responsibilities include planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing restorative care services, as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long-term care facility. You will meet with administration, medical and nursing staff, therapy department, as well as other related departments in planning restorative care. You will develop and maintain restorative care standards, assist in standardizing the methods in which restorative care will be accomplished, and maintain a reference library of written restorative care material, laws, etc., necessary for complying with current standards and regulations and that will provide assistance in maintaining quality resident care.

You will review restorative care policies, procedures, manual, job descriptions, etc., at least annually, and participate in making recommended changes. You will interpret restorative care policies and procedures to personnel, residents, family members, etc., as necessary. You will participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of resident care plans, resident assessments, etc., as necessary. You will assist the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement in developing, implementing and maintaining an ongoing quality assurance program for restorative care services. You will assist the QAPI in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies. You will assume the authority, responsibility and accountability of directing restorative care services. You will maintain a current file of residents treated, treatment records, resident files, and progress notes as required. You will work with the facility's consultants as necessary and implement recommended changes as required. You will make written and oral reports/recommendations to the administrator, as necessary/required, concerning restorative care services. You will maintain an excellent working relationship with the medical profession and other health related facilities and organizations.

You will create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the department. You will meet with and solicit advices from other department supervisors concerning restorative care; assist in identifying and correcting problem areas and/or the improvement of services. You will report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals to the Director of Nursing Services. You will review request for restorative care and physician's orders. You will interview resident to determine type of treatment and schedule therapy. You will select rehabilitative and therapeutic activities and exercises based on medical and social history of residents. You will evaluate type of therapy most desirable after consulting with the physician and therapy personnel. You will participate in the development and implementation of resident assessments (MDS) and care plans, including quarterly reviews, as they relate to restorative care. You will brief resident of procedures involved in restorative care and prepare necessary equipment. You will assist in transporting resident to and from therapy room/area. You will demonstrate to residents and staff personnel, as necessary, the procedures involved in the treatment process. You will perform restorative care treatments in resident's room as necessary. You will reassure resident before and during therapy treatment. You will prepare resident for treatment by dress/position and administer restorative care in accordance with established policies and procedures. You will encourage residents to perform or participate in ADL functions. You will encourage residents to perform range of motion exercises. You will instruct and supervise resident during therapy. You will assist residents in ambulatory training as necessary. You will recommend modifications and changes in the resident's restorative care as indicated. You will ensure that all restorative care notes are informative and descriptive of the treatment provided and of the resident's response to the care.

You will develop and participate in programs designed for in-service education, on the job training and orientation classes for newly assigned personnel. You will develop, implement and maintain an effective orientation program that orients the new employee to the facility, its policies and procedures, and to his/her job position and duties. You will participate and assist in departmental studies and projects as assigned or that may become necessary. You will attend and participate in workshops, seminars, etc., to keep abreast of current changes in the healthcare field, as well as to maintain a professional status. You will ensure that therapy personnel attend and participate in annual OSHA and CDC in-services training programs for hazard communication, TB management, and bloodborne pathogens standard. You will assist in developing safety standards for restorative care. You will ensure that staff personnel, residents, visitors, etc., follow established safety policies and procedures at all times, including appropriate dress codes. You will be alert for resident safety during any/all therapy or treatments. You will comply with established safety precautions at all times. You will ensure that therapy personnel wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies (e.g. back brace, mechanical lifts, etc.) when lifting or moving residents. You will assist the Infection Control Coordinator in the development, implementation, and revising of written aseptic and isolation techniques, as directed. You will assist in identifying and classifying departmental procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids. You will update as necessary. You will ensure that therapy personnel performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood/body fluids participate in appropriate in-service training programs prior to performing duties. You will follow established policies and procedures governing the exposure to blood or body fluids. You will ensure that the therapy area is maintained in a clean and safe manner for resident comfort and convenience by assuring that necessary equipment and supplies are maintained to perform such duties/services. You will develop, implement, and maintain a procedure for reporting hazardous conditions or equipment. You will report missing/illegible labels and MSDSs to the safety officer or other designated person. You will recommend to the administrator the equipment and supply needs of the department. You will provide necessary material/equipment for resident to perform required therapy or treatment. You will develop and implement procedures for the safe operation of all restorative care equipment. You will ensure that all personnel operate equipment in a safe manner. You will develop and implement procedures that ensure supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste. You will ensure that MSDSs are on file for hazardous chemicals used in the nursing service department. You will assist in developing restorative care plans for individual residents in coordination and conjunction with the resident assessment (MDS). You will review the restorative care requirements of each resident admitted to the facility and assist the attending physician in planning for the resident's care and/or treatment. You will ensure that care plans indicate restorative care when such therapy is ordered. You will participate in the development and implementation of care plans, including quarterly reviews. You will prepare and plan the restorative care budget and submit to the administrator for his/her review, recommendations, and/or approval. You will keep abreast of economic conditions/situations, and recommend to the administrator adjustments in restorative care that ensure the continued ability to provide quality care. You will maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information. You will ensure that resident's rights to fair and equitable treatment, self determination, individuality, privacy, property and civil rights, including the right to wage a complaint, are well established and maintained at all times. You will ensure that therapy personnel knock before entering the resident's room. You will ensure that all restorative care personnel are knowledgeable of the resident's responsibilities and rights including the right to refuse treatment. You will ensure that therapy personnel honor the resident's refusal of treatment request. You will abide by the resident's participation in treatment decision. You will inform the resident of consequences of not participating in prescribed therapy and document such action in the resident's clinical record. You will review complaints and grievances made by the resident, families, and/or visitors and make oral/written reports to the administrator indication what action(s) were taken to resolve the complaint or grievance. You will maintain a written record of the resident's complaints and/or grievances that indicates the action taken to resolve the complaint and the current status of the complaint. You will allow the resident to participate in the planning and scheduling of his or her treatment.

Educational and Experience Requirements Must possess, as a minimum, a Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university, or be a graduate of an approved LPN/LNV program. Must have experience in restorative care. Must have training in rehabilitative and restorative therapy practices. Certification and other Specific Requirements Must possess a current, unencumbered license to practice as a RN, LPN, or LVN in this state. Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language. Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action. Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public. Must be knowledgeable of restorative care procedures. Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel. Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, etc., of restorative care. Must maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., and maintain the appearance of treatment areas. Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm as well as be willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity level in which they are currently functioning. Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing restorative care practices. Must be able to use preventive measures to ensure quality of life and to maintain functional levels. Must be