Registered Nurse (PRN)

Essential Duties

• Aid the Director of Nursing Services in directing the day-to-day functions of the nursing activities.
• Participate in developing, maintaining, and updating written policies and procedures.
• Ensure that reference material at the nurses’ stations is current.
• Recommend written material to assist the nursing service department.
• Ensure the Nursing Service Procedures Manual is current and reflects daily nursing procedures.
• Ensure all nursing service personnel comply with the procedures in the Nursing Service Procedures Manual.
• Make written and oral reports to the Director as necessary.
• Periodically review department policies and procedures.
• Participate in facility surveys and inspections.
• Review resident discharge plans and update them as needed.
• Plan the nursing services portion of the resident’s discharge plan.
• Meet with nursing staff 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.
• Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms and evaluations.
• Ensure a sufficient number of licensed nurses, nursing assistants, and nurse aides are available.
• Develop work assignments and delegate responsibilities to Charge Nurses.
• Enroll nursing assistants in approved training programs and ensure trainees are supervised.
• Monitor nursing staff to ensure they are performing their work assignments according to standards.
• Report problem areas to the Director.
• Ensure that established policies and procedures are followed by all departmental personnel.
• Review and evaluate the department’s work force and make recommendations to the Director.
• Participate in employee performance evaluations and make recommendations for dismissals, transfers, etc.
• Ensure departmental disciplinary actions are fair and without regard to discrimination.
• Report occupational exposures and suspected incidents of fraud to the Administrator.
• Ensure that computer workstations are properly logged off or protected.

Committee Functions

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

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 in planning 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.
• Start IVs, collect specimens, take vital signs, and administer medications.
• Admit, transfer, and discharge residents as necessary.
• Report problem areas to the Director.
• Assist in developing and implementing corrective action.
• Keep the Director informed of the status of residents and other related matters.
• Assist the Charge Nurse in monitoring seriously ill residents.
• Authorize the use of restraints when necessary.
• Ensure RNs and LPNs comply with procedures for administering medications and supplies.
• Maintain cleanliness and safety in treatment areas.
• Check on residents who cannot call for help.
• Meet with residents and family members as necessary.
• Report problems to the Director.
• Arrange transportation for discharged residents and inform family members of the resident's death.
• Inform funeral homes when requested by the family.

Staff Development

• Develop, plan, conduct, and schedule in-service training classes.
• Assist the In-service Director/Educator in developing annual facility in-service training programs.
• Assist the Director in planning clinical supervision for nurse aide trainees.
• Attend and participate in continuing education programs.

Safety and Sanitation

• Develop safety standards for the nursing service department.
• Evaluate and classify routine and job-related functions to identify potential exposure to blood/body fluids.
• Ensure personnel participating in tasks involving potential exposure to blood/body fluids receive appropriate in-service training.
• Ensure an adequate supply of personal protective equipment is available and personnel are trained to use it.
• Monitor personnel to ensure they follow established 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.