FT RN

Essential Duties

• Aid the Director of Nursing Services in directing the day-to-day functions of the nursing activities.
• Develop and update written policies and procedures for the nursing service department.
• Maintain and update reference material at nurses’ stations to ensure it is current.
• Recommend written material to assist the nursing service department in meeting its needs.
• Maintain the Nursing Service Procedures Manual and ensure all nursing service personnel comply with it.
• Make written and oral reports to the Director as necessary.
• Review and recommend revisions to the Nursing Service Procedures Manual.
• Coordinate nursing services with other resident services to ensure continuity of care.
• Ensure nursing service personnel comply with their job descriptions.
• Participate in the quality assurance program for the nursing service department.
• Prepare and participate in facility surveys as requested.
• Review and update resident discharge plans as needed.
• Plan the nursing services portion of the resident’s discharge plan as necessary.
• Meet with nursing staff and support personnel to plan services, programs, and activities.
• Admit, transfer, and discharge residents as required.
• Complete accident/incident reports as necessary.
• Interpret department 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., as necessary.
• Ensure a sufficient number of licensed practical and/or registered nurses and certified nursing assistants are available.
• Ensure nursing assistants are enrolled in or have graduated from approved training programs.
• Monitor nursing service personnel to ensure they are performing their work assignments according to acceptable standards.
• Report problem areas to the Director.
• Ensure policies and procedures, including dress codes, are followed by all departmental personnel.
• Review and evaluate departmental personnel and make recommendations to the Director.
• Ensure disciplinary actions are administered fairly and without regard to protected characteristics.
• Report occupational exposures and suspected incidents of fraud to the Administrator.
• Ensure computer workstations are properly logged off or protected by a screen saver.

Committee Functions

• Attend various committee meetings of the facility (e.g., Infection Control, Policy Advisory, Pharmaceutical, Quality Assessment, etc.) as required.
• Prepare and present written and/or oral reports of nursing service programs and activities to committee(s).
• Provide information to the Quality Assurance and Assessment Committee as requested.
• Develop the agenda for Care Plan Committee meetings as necessary.
• Review and update discharge plans and make them available to the Care Plan Committee as required.
• Implement recommendations from established committees as instructed by the Director.

Nursing Care Functions

• Inform nursing service personnel of new admissions and prepare rooms for them.
• Greet newly admitted residents and escort them to their rooms.
• Consult with residents, families, and physicians to plan their care.
• Notify the Director when physician visits are not made in a timely manner.
• Visit residents daily to observe and evaluate their physical and emotional status.
• Ensure direct nursing care is provided by a licensed nurse, certified nursing assistant, or nurse aide trainee.
• Review nurses’ notes to ensure they are informative and accurate.
• Provide direct nursing care as necessary, including starting IVs, obtaining specimens, taking vital signs, and administering medications.
• Report problem areas to the Director and assist in developing corrective action.
• Inform family members of the death of a resident and arrange for funeral services.

Staff Development

• Develop and conduct in-service training classes to educate nursing service personnel.
• Assist the In-service Director/Educator in developing annual facility in-service training programs.
• Plan and conduct clinical supervision for nurse aide trainees.
• Attend and participate in continuing education programs to stay updated on professional developments.

Safety and Sanitation

• Develop safety standards for the nursing service department as necessary.
• Evaluate and classify routine and job-related functions to identify tasks involving potential exposure to blood/body fluids.
• Ensure personnel participating in such tasks receive appropriate in-service training.
• Ensure an adequate supply of personal protective equipment is available and personnel follow established procedures for its use and disposal.
• Monitor personnel to ensure they are following safety regulations.
• Ensure nursing service personnel comply with established departmental policies and procedures.
• Ensure nursing service work areas are maintained in a clean and safe manner.