RN

Essential Duties

• Aid the Director of Nursing Services in directing the day-to-day functions of the nursing activities.
• Develop, maintain, and update written policies and procedures that govern the nursing service department.
• Maintain reference material at nurses' stations to ensure it 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, procedures manuals, job descriptions, etc., and recommend revisions to the Director.
• 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.
• Participate in facility surveys conducted by authorized government agencies.
• Review resident discharge plans and update them as needed.
• Aid in planning the nursing services portion of the resident's discharge plan.
• 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.
• Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc.
• Ensure a sufficient number of licensed practical and/or registered nurses are available.
• Ensure a sufficient number of certified nursing assistants are available.
• Delegate administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability to Charge Nurses.
• Enroll nursing assistant trainees in or have them graduate from approved training programs.
• Supervise nursing assistants to ensure they follow established policies and procedures.
• Monitor absenteeism and report problem areas to the Director.
• Ensure all nursing service personnel adhere to established policies and procedures.
• Create and maintain a positive and supportive environment for residents.
• Assist in identifying and correcting problem areas and improving services.
• Develop and maintain a good working rapport with inter-department personnel.
• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals.
• Report known or suspected incidents of fraud to the Administrator.
• Ensure departmental computer workstations are properly logged off or protected.

Committee Functions

• Attend various committee meetings of the facility (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 committee(s).
• Provide information to the Quality Assurance and Assessment Committee as requested.
• Develop the agenda for the Care Plan Committee meetings as necessary.
• Review and evaluate 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 their expected arrival.
• Greet newly admitted residents and escort them to their rooms.
• Escort physicians during rounds as necessary.
• Inform the Director when physician visits are not made in a timely manner.
• Consult with residents, families, and physicians to plan their care.
• Notify the attending physician and next-of-kin of 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 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, obtain specimens, take vital signs, etc., as ordered.
• Admit, transfer, and discharge residents as necessary.
• Report problem areas to the Director.
• Authorize the use of restraints when necessary.
• Ensure RNs and LPNs comply with procedures for administering, storing, and controlling medications and supplies.
• Monitor medication passes and treatment schedules.
• Inspect treatment areas daily.
• Check on residents who cannot call for help.
• Assist in arranging transportation for discharged residents.
• Inform family members of the resident's death and contact funeral homes as requested.

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 to stay updated in the profession.

Safety and Sanitation

• Develop safety standards for the nursing service department.
• Evaluate and classify routine and job-related functions to identify tasks involving potential exposure to blood/body fluids.
• Train personnel on appropriate in-service programs before performing tasks involving exposure to blood or body fluids.
• Ensure an adequate supply of personal protective equipment is available and used correctly.
• Monitor personnel to ensure they follow established safety regulations.