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 for the nursing service department.
• Ensure that reference material at nurses’ stations is current.
• Recommend written material to assist the nursing service department in meeting its needs.
• Ensure the Nursing Service Procedures Manual is current and reflective of daily nursing procedures.
• Ensure all nursing service personnel comply with the procedures outlined in the Nursing Service Procedures Manual.
• Make written and oral reports to the Director as necessary.
• Periodically review department policies, procedure manuals, job descriptions, etc., and make recommendations for revisions.
• Coordinate nursing services with other resident services to ensure continuity of care.
• Ensure nursing service personnel are in compliance with their job descriptions.
• Participate in the development, maintenance, and implementation of the facility's quality assurance program for the nursing service department.
• Participate in facility surveys conducted by authorized government agencies.
• Review resident discharge plans periodically and make them available to the Care Plan Committee as needed.
• Aid in planning the nursing services portion of the resident's discharge plan.
• Meet with nursing staff and support personnel to plan department 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 are available.
• Ensure a sufficient number of certified nursing assistants are available.
• Develop work assignments and assist in completing tasks.
• Delegate administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability to Charge Nurses.
• Ensure nursing assistants are enrolled in or have graduated from approved training programs.
• Ensure nurse aide trainees are supervised by licensed nurses.
• Make daily rounds to ensure nursing service personnel are performing their work assignments according to acceptable standards.
• Maintain a calm and positive environment throughout the unit and shift.
• Review and evaluate department 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 protected characteristics.
• Report occupational exposures and suspected incidents of fraud to the Administrator.
• Ensure computer workstations are properly logged off or protected by automatic screen savers.
• Inform nursing service personnel of new admissions and prepare rooms accordingly.
• 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 licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants, and/or nurse aides.
• Review nurses' notes to ensure they are accurate and reflective of care provided.
• Provide direct nursing care as necessary, including starting IVs, obtaining specimens, taking vital signs, and administering medications.
• Inform the Director of any problem areas and assist in developing corrective action.
• Assist in arranging transportation for discharged residents and inform family members of the resident's death.
• Participate in developing and conducting in-service training classes.
• Aid the In-service Director/Educator in developing annual facility in-service training programs.
• Aid the Director in planning clinical supervision for nurse aide trainees.
• Attend and participate in continuing education programs to stay updated on changes in the profession.
• Aid the Safety Officer in developing safety standards for the nursing service department.
• Avoid potential exposure to blood/body fluids by ensuring personnel receive appropriate training and have access to personal protective equipment.
• Monitor personnel to ensure they follow safety regulations and procedures.
• Ensure nursing service work areas are maintained in a clean and safe manner.
• Check on residents who cannot call for help frequently.
• Report problems to the Director and assist in resolving them.

Committee Functions

• Attend various committee meetings (e.g., Infection Control, Policy Advisory, Pharmaceutical, Quality Assessment, etc.) as required.
• Prepare written and/or oral reports of nursing service programs and activities for submission to such committees.
• 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 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 accordingly.
• Greet newly admitted residents and escort them to their rooms.
• Escort physicians during rounds as necessary.
• Encourage physicians to document progress notes and orders in a timely manner.
• Notify the Director when physician visits are not made in a timely manner.
• Consult with residents, families, and physicians in planning their care.
• Notify the Director of any changes in the resident's condition.
• Visit residents daily to observe and evaluate their physical and emotional status.
• Ensure direct nursing care is provided by licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants, and/or nurse aides.
• Review nurses' notes to ensure they are accurate and reflective of care provided.
• Provide direct nursing care as necessary, including starting IVs, obtaining specimens, taking vital signs, and administering medications.
• Inform the Director of any problem areas and assist in developing corrective action.
• Arrange transportation for discharged residents and inform family members of the resident's death.
• Inform family members of the death of the resident.
• Call funeral homes when requested by the family.

Staff Development

• Develop and conduct in-service training classes to provide instructions on “how to do the job”.
• Aid the In-service Director/Educator in developing annual facility in-service training programs.
• Aid the Director in planning clinical supervision for nurse aide trainees.
• Attend and participate in continuing education programs to stay updated on changes in the profession.

Safety and Sanitation

• Aid the Safety Officer in developing safety standards for the nursing service department.
• Avoid potential exposure to blood/body fluids by ensuring personnel receive appropriate training and have access to personal protective equipment.
• Monitor personnel to ensure they follow safety regulations and procedures.
• Ensure nursing service work areas are maintained in a clean and safe manner.
• Check on residents who cannot call for help frequently.
• Report problems to the Director and assist in resolving them.