RN

About the Role

The primary responsibility of this position is to supervise the day-to-day nursing activities of the facility during your tour of duty. Such supervision must be in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern the facility. You may also be required to perform duties as directed by the Director of Nursing (DON) and/or Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) to ensure the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.

Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

• Assist the Director of Nursing Services in directing the day-to-day functions of the nursing activities in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines.
• Participate in developing, maintaining, and updating written policies and procedures for the nursing service department.
• Ensure reference materials (e.g., PDRs, regulations, professional standards) at nurses’ stations are current and recommend additional materials as needed.
• Maintain and update the Nursing Service Procedures Manual to reflect current procedures.
• Ensure compliance with the Nursing Service Procedures Manual by all nursing service personnel.
• Provide written and oral reports to the Director concerning the operation of the nursing service department.
• Periodically review department policies, procedure manuals, and job descriptions, and recommend revisions.
• Coordinate nursing services with other resident services to ensure continuity of care.
• Ensure nursing service personnel comply with their respective job descriptions.
• Participate in the facility’s quality assurance program for the nursing service department.
• Participate in facility surveys (inspections) by authorized government agencies.
• Review and update residents’ written discharge plans as required.
• Plan the nursing services portion of residents’ discharge plans.
• 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 to personnel, residents, visitors, and government agencies.
• Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, and charting.
• Protect resident and facility information by not disclosing assigned user ID codes, passwords, or protected health information, and report any violations.
• Report unauthorized attempts to access the facility’s information system.

Committee Functions

• Attend facility committee meetings (e.g., Infection Control, Policy Advisory, Pharmaceutical, Quality Assessment) as required.
• Prepare reports on nursing service programs and activities for committees.
• Provide information to the Quality Assurance and Assessment Committee as requested.
• Participate in developing the agenda for Care Plan Committee meetings.
• Review discharge plans and make them available to the Care Plan Committee.
• Implement recommendations from established committees as instructed by the Director.

Personnel Functions

• Ensure sufficient licensed practical and/or registered nurses are available for your tour of duty to maintain quality care.
• Ensure sufficient certified nursing assistants are available to meet residents’ daily care needs.
• Develop work assignments and assist in completing tasks as needed.
• Delegate administrative authority to Charge Nurses for their assigned duties.
• Ensure all nursing assistants are enrolled in or have graduated from an approved training program.
• Supervise nurse aide trainees under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse.
• Make daily rounds to ensure nursing personnel perform their duties according to standards.
• Monitor absenteeism to ensure adequate staffing levels and report issues to the Director.
• Ensure departmental personnel comply with established policies, including dress codes.
• Review complaints and grievances from department personnel and report to the Director.
• Maintain good working relationships with inter-department personnel.
• Create a positive and calm environment for staff and residents.
• Meet regularly with your shift to address and correct problem areas.
• Review and evaluate the department’s workforce and make recommendations to the Director.
• Participate in employee performance evaluations and make staffing recommendations.
• Administer disciplinary action fairly and without bias.
• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, or hazardous chemicals per facility policies.
• Report known or suspected incidents of fraud to the Administrator.
• Ensure unattended computer workstations are logged off or password-protected.

Nursing Care Functions

• Inform nursing personnel of new admissions, room assignments, and prepare rooms for arrivals.
• Greet newly admitted residents and escort them to their rooms.
• Make rounds with physicians as necessary and encourage timely documentation of progress notes and orders.
• Consult with residents, families, and physicians to plan care, treatment, and rehabilitation.
• Notify the resident’s 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 licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants, or qualified trainees.
• Review nurses’ notes to ensure they are informative and reflective of resident responses to care.
• Provide direct nursing care as necessary (e.g., starting IVs, obtaining specimens, taking vitals).
• Authorize the use of restraints in accordance with facility policies.
• Ensure compliance with procedures for administering, storing, and controlling medications and supplies.
• Monitor medication passes and treatment schedules to ensure adherence to orders.
• Review medication cards for completeness and accuracy.
• Inspect nursing service treatment areas daily to maintain cleanliness and safety.
• Ensure residents unable to call for help are checked frequently.
• Meet with residents and family members as needed and report issues to the Director.
• Assist in arranging transportation for discharged residents.
• Inform family members of resident deaths and coordinate with funeral homes as requested.

Staff Development

• Participate in developing, planning, and scheduling in-service training classes.
• Assist the In-service Director/Educator in developing annual facility training programs (e.g., OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, Infection Control).
• Assist the Director in planning clinical supervision for nurse aide trainees.
• Attend continuing education programs to maintain licensure and stay updated on professional changes.

Safety and Sanitation

• Assist the Safety Officer in developing safety standards for the nursing service department.
• Assist in identifying and classifying job-related functions with potential exposure to blood/body fluids.
• Ensure personnel exposed to blood/body fluids complete required in-service training.
• Maintain an adequate supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensure proper use and disposal.
• Monitor personnel to ensure compliance with safety regulations for equipment and supplies.
• Ensure nursing service work areas (e.g., nurses’ stations, medication rooms) are maintained in a clean and safe manner.