Registered Nurse

Overview

To provide direct nursing care to the residents and to supervise the day-to-day nursing activities performed by nursing assistants in accordance with current federal, state and local standards governing the facility, and as may be directed by the Director of Nursing Services, Assistant Director of Nursing Services and Administrator, to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.

Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

Duties:

Direct the day-to-day functions of nursing assistants; periodically review and make recommendations for revisions of written nursing policies, procedures, manuals, objectives and philosophies; complete and maintain medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charts, resident charge slips, etc. and submit to appropriate offices or departments for processing; periodically meet with assigned nursing staff in planning shifts, services, programs and activities; admit, transfer and discharge residents as required; ensure that all nursing services personnel are performing their respective duties in accordance with written policies, procedures and manuals; participate in developing, implementing and maintaining a quality assurance program; participate in surveys and inspections by government agencies; interpret the department's policies and procedures to personnel, residents, families, visitors and government agencies as necessary; and, make reports and recommendations to the Director of Nursing Services and Administrator concerning operations of the department.

Physical and Sensory Requirements (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices):

Ability to read and write in English, ability to communicate with residents, families, personnel and support agencies and ability to remain calm under stress.

Nursing Care Functions

Duties:

Participate in the orientation of new residents and family members; inform personnel of new admissions, ensure that rooms are ready, greet new admissions and escort to rooms; implement and maintain established nursing objectives and standards; make periodic reviews, monitor residents' treatment and medications and make independent decisions regarding nursing care to ensure residents are receiving proper care; work with consultants and implement changes as necessary; ensure cleanliness and safety of all nursing services treatment areas; make rounds with physicians as necessary and ensure proper recordkeeping; consult with physicians in providing care, treatment, diagnostic and therapeutic services, and notify physicians of resident accidents, incidents and changes in condition; coordinate social and activity programs with nursing services schedules; meet with residents and families and report problems areas; carry out restorative, rehabilitative and self-help care programs; administer professional services and provide direct nursing care as necessary, including but not limited to passing medications, perform treatments as indicated on treatment administration record; assist in arranging transportation for discharged residents and ensure an escort to the pick-up area; and, inform family members of the death of a resident, call funeral homes when requested and ensure that established post-mortem procedures are followed.

.

Physical and Sensory Requirements (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devises):

Walking, reaching, bending, lifting, grasping, pushing and pulling, fine hand coordination, ability to communicate with residents, personnel and consultants, ability to distinguish smells, tastes and temperatures, ability to hear and respond to pages, ability to read and write in English and ability to remain calm under stress.

Personnel Functions

Duties:

Develop work assignments; participate in reviewing and evaluating the department's staffing requirements and employee performance evaluations; make recommendations to administration as necessary to ensure adequate staffing and to expedite work; delegate administrative authority, responsibility and accountability to nursing services personnel as deemed necessary to perform assigned duties; make daily rounds and ensure that all nursing services personnel are performing duties in accordance with acceptable nursing standards; ensure that personnel, residents and visitors follow established policies and procedures at all times; meet with nursing personnel on a regular basis to identify and correct problems areas and to improve nursing services; give and receive nursing reports; provide supervision and leadership to other nursing services personnel assigned to the shift and unit; and, review personnel complaints and grievances and ensure that all personnel are treated consistent with policies and applicable laws.

Physical and Sensory Requirements (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices):

Ability to read and write in English, ability to communicate with personnel and ability to remain calm under stress.

Staff Development Functions

Duties:

Participate in developing, planning, implementing, conducting and scheduling orientation, training and in-service educational activities for nursing services personnel; assist in standardizing the methods in which work will be accomplished; maintain professional competence, as well as current licenses, through participation in continuing education programs, seminars and training programs; and assist in ensuring that all nursing services personnel attend and participate in Hazardous Communication and Universal Precautions training programs prior to reporting for work assignments.

Physical and Sensory Requirements (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices):

Ability to communicate with personnel, ability to read and write in English and ability to understand and instruct nursing services personnel concerning training and education.

Residents' Rights Function

Duties:

Maintain resident confidentiality and privacy; treat residents with kindness, dignity and respect; know and comply with and ensure that all nursing services personnel know and comply with Residents' Rights rules; monitor nursing services to ensure that residents' rights and needs are met; and, review, promptly report to the Administrator and maintain written records of all resident complaints and grievances.

Physical and Sensory Requirements (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices):

Ability to communicate with residents and personnel and ability to remain calm under stress.

Care Plan and Assessment Functions

Duties:

Assist and participate in developing for each resident a preliminary and comprehensive assessment and written care plan that identifies the nursing and medical problems and/or needs of the resident and the goals to be accomplished for each problem and/or need identified; encourage residents and their families to participate in the development and review of care plans; ensure that all nursing services personnel are aware of the care plans and that care plans are used in providing daily nursing services to the residents; and, review nurses' notes and monitor residents to determine of the care plans are being followed and if residents' needs are being met.

Physical and Sensory Requirements (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices):

Ability to read and write in English and ability to communicate with residents, families and personnel.

Planning and Inventory Functions

Duties:

Recommend the equipment and supply needs of the assigned unit; assist in developing and monitoring adequate and cost effective inventory control procedures; make periodic inspections of supplies and equipment to ensure that adequate levels are maintained and that equipment is available and working properly; and, develop and implement procedures to ensure that trained and authorized personnel operate nursing services equipment in a safe manner.

Physical and Sensory Requirements (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

Walking, ability to communicate with residents, personnel and support agencies and ability to read and write in English.

Safety and Sanitation Functions

Duties:

Assist in developing, implementing and maintaining safety standards, written aseptic and isolation techniques, programs for monitoring communicable and/or infectious diseases among residents and personnel and procedures for reporting hazardous conditions or equipment; monitor assigned nursing services personnel to ensure that established infection control procedures, Universal Precautions, established safety rules, and fire and disaster procedures are followed; and, ensure cleanliness of nursing services work areas, stations, preparation rooms, treatment areas and resident care rooms.

Physical and Sensory Requirements (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

Walking, ability to read and write and ability to distinguish smells.

All Other Duties as Assigned

Qualifications

* Must be a Registered Nurse in good standing and currently licensed by the State of Alabama or in training to satisfactorily complete the requirements to become a Registered Nurse.
* Must be at least 18 years of age.
* Must show ability to read and write in a legible and understandable manner.
* Must speak and understand English.
* Previous experience or completion of training program.
* Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures and laws, regulations and guidelines governing long-term care.
* Positive attitude toward the elderly.