Overview
The primary responsibility of this RN position is to supervise the day‑to‑day nursing activities of the facility during the tour of duty, ensuring compliance with federal, state, local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern the facility. The RN works in coordination with the Director of Nursing and the Assistant Director of Nursing to maintain the highest degree of quality care at all times.
Responsibilities Administrative Functions
* Assist the Director of Nursing Services in directing the day‑to‑day functions of the nursing activities in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long‑term care facility.
* Participate in developing, maintaining, and updating written policies and procedures that govern the day‑to‑day functions of the nursing service department.
* Ensure that reference material (PDR’s, regulations, professional standards of practice, etc.) maintained at the nurses’ stations is current and recommend written material that will assist the nursing service department.
* Ensure that the Nursing Service Procedures Manual is current and reflects the day‑to‑day nursing procedures performed in this facility.
* Ensure all nursing service personnel comply with the procedures set forth in the Nursing Service Procedures Manual.
* Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the Director concerning the operation of the nursing service department.
* Periodically review the department’s policies, procedure manuals, job descriptions, etc., and make recommendations for revisions to the Director.
* Assist in developing methods for coordinating nursing services with other resident services to ensure continuity of care.
* Ensure all nursing service personnel are in compliance with their respective job descriptions.
* Participate in the development, maintenance and implementation of the facility’s quality assurance program for the nursing service department.
* Participate in facility surveys (inspections) conducted by authorized government agencies as requested by the Administrator or Director of Nursing Services.
* Review the resident’s written discharge plan periodically and assist in its updating as required.
* Assist the Director in planning the nursing services portion of the resident’s discharge plan.
* Meet with the nursing staff, as well as support personnel, in planning the department’s services, programs, and activities.
* Admit, transfer, and discharge residents as required.
* Complete accident/incident reports as necessary.
* Interpret the department’s policies and procedures to personnel, residents, visitors, and government agencies as required.
* Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc.
* Maintain confidentiality of assigned user ID code and password for accessing resident/facility information.
* Report suspected or known violations of confidentiality to the Administrator.
Committee Functions
* Attend various committee meetings of the facility (Infection Control, Policy Advisory, Pharmaceutical, Quality Assessment, etc.) as required.
* Assist in preparing written and/or oral reports of the nursing service programs and activities to submit to such committees.
* Provide information to the Quality Assurance and Assessment Committee as requested.
* Participate in developing the agenda for the Care Plan Committee meetings as necessary.
* Participate in regularly scheduled reviews of the discharge plans and make such plans available to the Care Plan Committee.
* Implement recommendations from established committees as instructed by the Director.
Personnel Functions
* Ensure that a sufficient number of licensed practical and/or registered nurses are available for your tour of duty to maintain quality care.
* Ensure that a sufficient number of certified nursing assistants are available for your tour of duty.
* Develop work assignments and assist in completing and performing such tasks.
* Delegate to each Charge Nurse the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary to perform his/her assigned duties.
* Ensure all nursing assistants are enrolled in or have graduated from an approved training program.
* Ensure all nurse aide trainees are under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse.
* Make daily rounds of the nursing service department to ensure personnel are performing their assignments in accordance with acceptable nursing standards and report findings to the Director.
* Monitor absenteeism to ensure adequate staffing and report problem areas to the Director.
* Ensure established policies and procedures, including dress codes, are followed by all personnel.
* Review complaints and grievances made by department personnel and report to the Director as required.
* Develop and maintain good rapport with inter‑department personnel and other departments within the facility to ensure adequate maintenance of nursing services.
* Create a warm, personal, and positive environment throughout the unit and shift.
* Schedule regular shift meetings to assist in identifying and correcting problem areas and improving services.
* Review and evaluate the department’s workforce and make recommendations to the Director.
* Participate in employee performance evaluations and determine staffing requirements, making recommendations concerning employee dismissals, transfers, etc.
* Ensure disciplinary action is administered fairly and without regard to protected characteristics.
* Report occupational exposures and incidents to the Administrator.
* Report known or suspected incidents of fraud to the Administrator.
* Ensure departmental computer workstations are properly logged off or secured.
Nursing Care Functions
* Inform nursing service personnel of new admissions, room assignment, etc.
* Ensure rooms are ready for new admissions.
* Greet newly admitted residents and escort them to their rooms.
* Make rounds with physicians as necessary and encourage timely documentation of physician orders.
* Consult with residents, families, and physicians in planning care and treatment.
* Notify attending physician and next-of-kin of changes in resident condition.
* Visit residents daily to evaluate physical and emotional status.
* Provide direct nursing care by licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants, or nurse aide trainees as appropriate.
* Review nurses’ notes to ensure they reflect resident response to care.
* Start IVs, obtain specimens for lab tests, and take vitals as necessary.
* Admit, transfer, and discharge residents as necessary and report problem areas to the Director.
* Assist the Charge Nurse in monitoring seriously ill residents.
* Authorize use of restraints when necessary in accordance with facility policies.
* Ensure all RNs and LPNs comply with medication administration procedures.
* Monitor medication passes and treatment schedules to ensure ordered medications are administered.
* Inspect nursing service treatment areas daily to maintain cleanliness and safety.
* Ensure residents who cannot call for help are checked frequently.
* Assist in arranging transportation for discharged residents as necessary.
* Inform family members of resident death and call funeral homes when requested.
Staff Development
* Participate in developing, planning, conducting, and scheduling in‑service training classes that provide instruction on job functions.
* Assist the In‑service Director/Educator in developing annual facility in‑service training programs (OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, Infection Control, etc.).
* Assist the Director in planning clinical supervision for nurse aide trainees.
* Attend and participate in continuing education programs to keep abreast of changes in the profession and maintain the license on a current status.
Safety and Sanitation
* Assist the Safety Officer in developing safety standards for the nursing service department as necessary.
* Assist the Director and/or Infection Control Coordinator in identifying, evaluating, and classifying routine and job‑related functions to ensure tasks with potential exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identified and recorded.
* Ensure personnel performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood/body fluids receive appropriate in‑service training.
* Ensure an adequate supply of personal protective equipment is on hand and readily available.
* Ensure personnel follow established procedures for the use and disposal of personal protective equipment.
* Monitor shift personnel to ensure compliance with safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies.
* Ensure all nursing service personnel comply with established departmental policies and procedures.
* Maintain nursing service work areas (nurses’ stations, medicine preparation rooms, etc.) in a clean and sanitary manner.
* Maintain resident care rooms and treatment areas in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner.
* Follow handwashing and hand hygiene procedures.
* Participate in fire safety and disaster preparedness drills.
* Develop, implement, and maintain the infection control program for monitoring communicable and/or infectious diseases among residents and personnel.
* Follow infection control procedures when isolation precautions become necessary.
* Develop, implement, and maintain procedures for reporting hazardous conditions or equipment.
* Ensure personnel wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies (back brace, mechanical lifts, etc.) when lifting or moving residents.
* Report missing/illegible labels and MSDSs to the safety officer or other designated person.
Equipment and Supply Functions
* Recommend to the Director the equipment and supply needs of the department.
* Ensure an adequate stock level of medications, medical supplies, equipment, etc., is maintained on premises at all times.
* Assist the Maintenance Director in developing a preventive maintenance program for maintaining the nursing service department’s equipment and supplies in a safe and operable manner.
* Participate in the development and implementation of the procedures for the safe operation of all nursing service equipment.
* Ensure only trained and authorized personnel operate nursing service equipment.
* Ensure all personnel operate nursing service equipment in a safe manner.
* Monitor nursing procedures to ensure nursing service supplies are used efficiently to avoid waste.
* Ensure appropriate MSDSs are on file for hazardous chemicals used in the nursing service department.
Care Plan and Assessment Functions
* Participate in developing written preliminary and comprehensive assessments of the nursing needs of each resident.
* Develop written plan of care (preliminary and comprehensive) for each resident identifying problems/needs, care to be given, goals to be accomplished, and professional service responsible for each element of care.
* Encourage resident participation in development and review of care plan.
* Review resident care plans for appropriate resident goals, problems, approaches, and revisions based on nursing needs.
* Ensure all personnel involved in providing care to the resident are aware of the resident’s care plan.
* Review nurses’ notes to determine if care plan is being followed.
* Assist the Resident Assessment/Care Plan Coordinator in planning, scheduling, and revising the MDS, including implementation of RAPs and Triggers.
* Review resident’s medical and nursing treatments to ensure they are provided in accordance with the resident’s care plan and wishes.
Budget and Planning Functions
* Keep abreast of economic conditions/situations and recommend to the Director adjustments in nursing services that ensure the continued ability to provide quality care.
* Recommend to the Director the equipment needs of the nursing service department.
* Report suspected or known incidence of fraud relative to false billings, cost reports, kickbacks, etc.
Qualifications
* Must possess a Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university.
* Must have training in rehabilitative and restorative nursing practices.
* 2 years or more experience in a long‑term care facility (preferably).
* Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language and read technical procedures.
* Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age‑related needs of residents served.
* Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, and of laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to nursing care facilities.
* Must possess a current, unencumbered, active RN license in this state; current CPR certification.
* Must maintain all required continuing education/licensing and remain in good standing with the State Board of Nursing at all times.
* Must have the ability to make independent decisions, solve practical problems, deal tactfully with personnel, residents, families, visitors, government agencies, and the general public.
* Must demonstrate leadership, supervisory ability, and the willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.
* Must have the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret programs, policies, and procedures necessary for providing quality care.
* Must be able to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
* Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition and communicate effectively with managers and employees.
* Must be able to survive mental and emotional stress of the position, handle difficult residents, and remain independent and flexible.
* Must meet general health requirements, including medical and physical examination.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Must possess a current, unencumbered RN license and current CPR certification.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The RN will work an office area and throughout the nursing service area (drug rooms, nurses’ stations, resident rooms, etc.). The environment includes frequent interruptions, contact with residents, personnel, visitors, and government agencies. The RN may need to call back during emergencies, work beyond normal hours, and work on weekends and holidays. The RN must push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to move that weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
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