Purpose of Your Job Position

The primary purpose of your job position is to provide direct nursing care to the residents, and to supervise the day-to-day nursing activities performed by nursing assistants. Such supervision must be in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern our facility, and as may be required by the Director of Nursing Services or Nurse Supervisor to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.

Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

• Direct the day-to-day functions of the nursing assistants in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long-term care facility.
• Ensure that all nursing personnel assigned to you comply with the written policies and procedures established by this facility.
• Periodically review the department's policies, procedure manuals, job descriptions, etc. Make recommendations for revisions.
• Meet with your assigned nursing staff, as well as support personnel, in planning the shifts' services, programs, and activities.
• Ensure that the Nursing Service Procedures Manual is current and reflects the day-to-day nursing procedures performed in this facility.
• Ensure that all nursing service personnel comply with the procedures set forth in the Nursing Service Procedures Manual.
• Make written and oral reports/recommendations concerning the activities of your shift as required

Charting and Documentation

• Complete and file required recordkeeping forms/charts upon the resident's admission, transfer, and/or discharge.
• Encourage attending physicians to review treatment plans, record and sign their orders, progress notes, etc., in accordance with established policies.
• Receive telephone orders from physicians and record on the Physicians' Order Form.
• Transcribe physician's orders to resident charts, medication cards, treatment/care plans, as required.
• Chart nurses' notes in an informative and descriptive manner that reflects the care provided to the resident, as well as the resident's response to the care.
• Fill out and complete accident/incident reports. Submit to Director as required.
• Chart all reports of accidents/incidents involving residents. Follow established procedures.
• Record new/changed diet orders. Forward information to the Dietary Department.
• Report all discrepancies noted concerning physician's orders, diet change, charting error, etc., to the Nurse Supervisor.
• Fill out and complete transfer forms in accordance with established procedures.
• Ensure that appropriate documentation concerning unauthorized discharges is entered in the resident's medical record in accordance with established procedures.
• Perform routine charting duties as required and in accordance with established charting and documentation policies and procedures.
• Sign and date all entries made in the resident's medical record.

Staff Development

• Participate in developing, planning, conducting, and scheduling in-service training classes that provide instructions on "how to do the job," and ensure a well-educated nursing service department.
• Implement and maintain an effective orientation program that orients the new employee to your shift, its policies and procedures, and to his/her job position and duties.
• Assist in standardizing the methods in which work will be accomplished.
• Assist in training department personnel in identifying tasks that involve potential exposure to blood/body fluids.
• Assist the Director in planning clinical supervision for nurse aide trainees.
• Attend and participate in outside training programs.
• Attend and participate in annual OSHA and CDC in-service training programs for hazard communication, TB management, and bloodborne pathogens standard.
• Attend and participate in advance directive in-service training programs for the staff and community.
• Attend and participate in continuing education programs designed to keep you abreast of changes in your profession, as well as to maintain your license on a current status.

Safety and Sanitation

• Monitor your assigned personnel to ensure that they are following established safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies.
• Ensure that established departmental policies and procedures, including dress codes, are followed by your assigned nursing personnel.
• Assist the Director and/or Infection Preventionist in identifying, evaluating, and classifying routine and job-related functions to ensure that tasks in which there are potential exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identified and recorded.
• Ensure that all personnel performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood/body fluids participate in appropriate in-service training programs prior to performing such tasks.
• Ensure that an adequate supply of personal protective equipment is on hand and are readily available to personnel who perform procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids.
• Ensure that your assigned work areas (i.e., nurses' stations, medicine preparation rooms, etc.) are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner.
• Ensure that your unit's resident care rooms, treatment areas, etc., are maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner.
• Ensure that your assigned personnel follow established hand washing techniques in the administering of nursing care procedures.
• Ensure that your assigned personnel participate in and conduct all fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner.
• Participate in the development, implementation, and maintenance of the infection control program for monitoring communicable and/or infectious diseases among the residents and personnel.
• Ensure that your assigned personnel follow established infection control procedures when isolation precautions become necessary.
• Ensure that nursing personnel follow established procedures in the use and disposal of personal protective equipment.
• Participate in the development, implementation and maintenance of the procedures for reporting hazardous conditions or equipment.
• Ensure that all personnel wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies (e.g., back brace, mechanical lifts, etc.) when lifting or moving residents.
• Report missing/illegible labels and MSDSs to the safety officer or other designated person.

Working Conditions

• Works in office area(s) as well as throughout the nursing service area (i.e., drug rooms, nurses' stations, resident rooms, etc.).
• Moves intermittently during working hours.
• Is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.
• Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors.
• Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department supervisors.
• Works beyond normal working hours, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.
• Is subject to call-back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).
• Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.
• Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the work day, as well as to reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants.
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
• May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
• Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, support departments, etc., to adequately plan for the residents' needs.

Education

• Must possess, as a minimum, a Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university.
• License: RN or LPN

Experience

• Must have, as a minimum, one year(s) of experience as a supervisor in a hospital, long-term care facility, or other related health care facility.
• Must have training in rehabilitative and restorative nursing practices

Specific Requirements

• Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as an RN or LPN in accordance with State requirements.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
• Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to long-term care.
• Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.
• Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures, etc., that are necessary for providing quality care.
• Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents.
• Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.
• Must be able to relate information concerning a resident's condition.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

(With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the work day.
• Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility which include a medical and physical examination.
• Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility.
• Must be able to push, pull, move, lift and carry.
• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

Regulatory Compliance - QAPI

• Recognize your role as part of the QAPI efforts of our organization
• Carry out QAPI roles and responsibilities as required
• Look for and share with leadership ideas for improvement in the organization
• Knowledge of current Performance Improvement Initiatives