Department: Nursing
Reports To: Director of Nursing
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Date Updated: 8/2016
Job Summary:
The Registered Nurse assists in the administration of quality nursing care for the facility in concurrence with resident care plans. Renders nursing care to cater to client’s individual needs through practice of recognized nursing techniques, procedures, and established standards. Assists in maintaining a physical, social, and psychological environment which will be conducive to the best interest and welfare of the resident.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
· Directly influences resident care plans and proactively makes adjustments based on resident needs. Consults and coordinates with health care team members to asses, plan, implement and evaluate resident care plans.
· Completes proper charting accurately and completely; performs other administrative duties related to resident care in an efficient and timely manner.
· Serves as a leader in the nursing department with direct influence over CNA's and CMA’s in providing care; works as a member of the care team to maintain optimum resident care standards.
· Sets high standards of excellence for meeting resident needs, builds and maintains relationships with residents, communicates with residents in a genuine manner using appropriate verbiage, and establishes good rapport with the residents.
· Assists physicians in rounds and reviews orders. Orders medications, maintains resident chart, receives and documents physician orders. Notifies physician and family of incidents or changes in condition of resident.
· Follows the American Nurse Association’s Scope and Standard of Practice to ensure residents, families, and the public that the nursing care they receive is competent and up to date with the latest research; adheres to the Nursing Standards of Practice as a benchmark for nursing care standards.
· Maintains resident confidentiality and privacy; treats residents with kindness, dignity and respect; knows and complies with Residents Rights rules; and promptly reports all resident grievances to management.
· Understands and follows established Universal Precaution guidelines, infection control and safety rules; ensures cleanliness of assigned residents rooms; displays an awareness of cleanliness and proper maintenance at all drug carts/rooms and to maintain a clean working environment; maintains a locked medication room and/ or cart when unattended; reports hazardous conditions or equipment to the appropriate person; follows established safety rules, and fire and disaster procedures.
· Communicates with family members regarding condition and progress of residents, including in-person and answering of telephone inquiries taking into account the nature of the information.
· Requisitions necessary supplies to meet unit needs as well as ensure equipment is in good working order.
Demonstrates high standards of excellence for meeting resident needs. Communicates effectively, establishes rapport and maintains relationships with residents.
· Meets requirement of regular attendance to perform job duties.
· Has fun in creating a positive atmosphere for residents.
· Follows instructions and completes daily assignments as assigned and is proactive to change.
· Possesses understanding and compassion for the elderly population.
· Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Education and Experience
· High School Diploma or equivalency (required).
· 1 year of practical nursing experience in a clinical setting or long term care facility (preferred).
· Advanced preparation in geriatric care (preferred).
· Possesses the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
· Demonstrates leadership ability and willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise professional and non-professional personnel.
License/Certifications
· State of Iowa RN licensure by the Iowa Board of Nursing (required).
· CPR Certification (required).
Additional Responsibilities:
Continuing Educational Requirement
· Required to complete annual 12-hour in-service training programs (as well as supplemental online education). Failure to complete the 12-hour in-service training program, or any other requirement under internal policies, local, state, or federal law may result in termination
Physical Activity Requirements
· Lifting – May be called upon to lift equipment or supplies weight up to 50 lbs. and to assist with lifting and moving residents. Frequently required to life over 50 lbs. while transferring a non-ambulatory residents weighting between 100 and 160 lbs. Assistive devices are required for resident lifts. Push/Pull requirements of 40 lbs. are common. Frequently required to carry objects up to 30 lbs.
· Other physical requirements – Frequently required to sit and stand; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and to talk or listen. Significant fine finger dexterity is required. Will be called upon to perform twisting, bending, squatting, kneeling or crouching when assisting the resident needs. Frequently required to reach with hands and arms.
Regulatory Compliance Requirements
· Report any arrest, charge, or conviction of a crime other than a traffic violation, and receipt of notice of any agency investigation or charge, including investigations relating to licensure, certification status, or dependent adult or child abuse within 24 hours of such charge, arrest, investigation, or other similar issue. Once notice of such issues have been received the employee may not perform any work functions or duties until clearance for return to work is granted by the Iowa Department of Human Services. Failure to report may result in termination.
· Understand resident rights and comply with these requirements at all times.
· Report reasonable beliefs a dependent adult has suffered dependent adult abuse by another employee, resident, family member, or visitor to the Administrator or DON (if Administrator is not on duty) upon incident.
· Report any information that may impact patient/resident care, including, but not limited to, violations of resident rights and HIPAA violations to his/her supervisor upon identification.