Registered Nurse - Charge Nurse

Qualifications and Skills

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing/Current California licensure as a Registered Nurse and current BCLS certification.
• One (1) or more years of previous experience in a skilled nursing facility or in medical surgical setting.
• Basic computer knowledge, good judgement and problem-solving skills.
• Follow all policies and procedures related to the care of residents.
• Display great leadership skills, good organizational skills and excellent communication skills with the ability to work well with others.
• Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Additional languages preferred but not required.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Assesses residents on admission and when conditions change.
• Documents include resident care plans, restraint assessment tools, fall assessments, behavior logs, wander assessments, pain assessments, skin assessments, safety assessments, nursing progress notes, physician orders, and interdisciplinary notes.
• Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the residents and family regarding pain management. Updates primary care physician if current plan is ineffective.
• Assesses the unit's needs and formulates a daily plan with staff and support staff to maintain smooth daily operations.
• Affirms care plans are updated with changes in resident's health, mobility, safety, psychosocial, behaviors and medications.
• Reviews and assesses intake/output, nutritional intake, weights, wounds, and other resident quality monitors. Notifies physician, director of nursing, dietitian, and/or pharmacist as needed.
• Notifies physician of changes in resident's condition and follows through until appropriate action is taken. This includes weight loss, nutritional concerns, and falls.
• Notes and conducts physician's orders in a timely manner. Obtain a morning report from nursing staff. Assured follow-through is completed regarding resident concerns. Assure diagnostic and laboratory physician orders are followed through.
• Attend stand-up, psychotropic drug review, MERP, nutrition at risk and fall program meetings to provide unit input.
• Treats residents and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses the psychosocial, cultural, ethnic, and religious/spiritual needs of residents and their families.
• Supervises other members of the healthcare team, as needed, to accomplish the plan of care which has been developed.
• Demonstrates competence in technical and manual skills, according to the scope of practice for RNs.
• Functions as a resident advocate by protecting the resident's rights. Administers medications, following the six medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.
• Demonstrates creativity in solving problems and looking at situations in new and innovative ways.
• Interact with residents, families, co-workers, managers and other departmental personnel in a kind, knowledgeable and friendly manner.
• Involves unit staff, residents, and family in planning for care, treatment, teaching needs and discharge plans. Functions as a leader for the nursing/unit staff by delegating in a manner that contributes to the excellence of the nursing unit to which RN is assigned.
• Participate in orientation of new personnel and performance evaluations of nursing staff.
• Follows proper infection control procedures and supervises supportive staff in infection control procedures.
• Demonstrates ability to lead and remain calm in emergencies and/or stressful situations.
• Exhibits genuine interest in and appreciation of adults in later years of life. Motivated, independent individuals who can organize workload so that all functions are completed appropriately.
• Serve as a clinical resource to unit staff on issues pertaining to resident's plan of care.
• Perform daily walking rounds of unit with director of nursing when available.
• Communicate with mental health coordinator, staff, physicians, director of nurses, unit staff, activities coordinator and social service designee as appropriate about changes in resident/patient's clinical/psychosocial condition including results of diagnostic studies and symptomatology.
• Establish and maintain practice standards, provide ongoing staff education.
• Provide the director of nursing with weekly updates regarding SOC's field, falls, infections, psychotropics and pressure ulcers, if applicable.
• Maintain and update practice standards, provide ongoing staff education.
• Monitor resident outcomes on an ongoing basis and update the plan of care as needed.
• Acts as a resource person to staff and assume supervisory responsibilities.
• Discuss treatment plans with nursing staff and provide education when needed.
• Use a customer-focused approach when collaborating with Agency customers including co-workers, patients, residents, physicians, and staff from within the district.
• Support Compliance Program by adhering to the Policies, Procedures and Department Manuals of KVHD.
• Attend all mandatory in-services and annual training programs related to compliance.
• Update nursing shift assignments as needed related to unit needs.
• Assist with IV therapy when needed.
• Preform peripheral, implanted and central line dressing changes when needed.
• Assure staff are following frequent repositioning guidelines for residents receiving skin care and residents at risk of skin breakdown.
• Assist director of nursing services as directed.
• Completes annual education requirements, attends annual review, continuous quality improvement activities (CQI), staff meetings and performs departmental in-service.
• Perform duties in a safety-conscience manner to eliminate or reduce the likelihood of work-related injury or illness.
• Maintains awareness of staff adherence to safety procedures.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
• Maintains a good rapport and cooperative relationship with all staff.
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.