RN

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 nurses' stations is current.
• Recommend written material to assist the nursing service department.
• Ensure the Nursing Service Procedures Manual is current and reflective of departmental procedures.
• Ensure 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 and update resident discharge plans.
• Plan the nursing services portion of the resident's discharge plan.
• Meet with nursing staff 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.
• Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc.
• Ensure sufficient nursing care personnel are available.
• Ensure certified nursing assistants are available for routine nursing care.
• Develop work assignments and delegate responsibilities to Charge Nurses.
• Enroll nursing assistant trainees in approved programs and ensure their supervision.
• Monitor nursing staff to ensure compliance with standards and policies.
• Report problem areas to the Director.
• Ensure departmental personnel follow established policies and procedures.
• Review and evaluate department work force.
• Participate in employee performance evaluations.
• Ensure fair and impartial disciplinary actions.
• Report occupational exposures and suspected fraud.
• Ensure proper use and disposal of personal protective equipment.
• Maintain cleanliness and safety of nursing service areas.

Committee Functions

• Attend various committee meetings (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 committees.
• Provide information to the Quality Assurance and Assessment Committee.
• Develop agendas 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.
• Greet newly admitted residents and escort them to their rooms.
• Consult with residents, families, and physicians regarding care plans.
• Notify the Director of delayed physician visits.
• Visit residents daily to assess their physical and emotional status.
• Ensure direct nursing care is provided by licensed nurses, CNAs, or trainees.
• Review nurses' notes for accuracy and compliance.
• Provide direct nursing care as necessary.
• Administer IVs, collect specimens, take vital signs, etc.
• Admit, transfer, and discharge residents as needed.
• Report problem areas to the Director.
• Assist in developing and implementing corrective action.
• Inform family members of resident deaths and arrange funerals.

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 exposures.
• Train personnel on appropriate in-service programs for tasks involving exposure to blood/body fluids.
• Ensure availability and proper use of personal protective equipment.
• Monitor personnel to ensure compliance with safety regulations.