The registered nurse adheres to the rules and regulations of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. The role encompasses nursing assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention, evaluation, and coordination of care for patients and their families across the health care continuum. The registered staff nurse is accountable for clinical, educational, quality and fiscal patient care outcomes using the model of care designed by the nursing department and in accordance with established agency policies, procedures, protocols, guidelines and standards of practice

The Registered Nurse provides direct care to participants based on the individual's demonstration of competency in basic nursing and nursing related skills and techniques. Coordinate patient care through the development and use of patient care and practice standards. Ensures that desired patient outcomes are usually achieved and that variances from established parameters are evaluated and addressed as necessary. Performs a wide variety of high-level activities for adult patients with chronic and terminal illness, which may include assessment, history and physical, recommendations about aggressive symptom management, developing plans to address physical and psychosocial needs, review critical path progress and update team as indicated. Serves as the Program Nurse - Clinical Manager in their absence.

Position: Registered Nurse

Department: Margaret Shea Adult Healthcare Program

Schedule: Part Time, Per Diem, Adult Day Program

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

The role of the Per Diem RN is to fulfill the nursing duties of an RN or LPN during staff absences. These duties include:

• The minimum responsibilities of the ADH Program's registered nurse(s) include:

  (a) Provision and supervision of all nursing services;

  (c) Coordinating the completion of, and ensuring the accuracy of, each participant's initial and ongoing assessments; completed MDS documents in a timely manner.

  (d) Coordinating the development, &/or oversight of the ongoing review, and revision of each participant's plan of care;

  (f) Responding appropriately to any acute changes in a participant's health or functioning;

  (g) Providing appropriate healthcare education for each participant and legally authorized representative;

  (h) Assists and leads, as necessary in the delivery of other ADH Program services; including and not limited to leading Therapeutic Activity programs

  (j) Supervising the LPNS in the obtaining, reviewing, and implementing primary care provider orders;

  (k) Coordinating the participant's care with the primary care provider and, if applicable, community service providers;

  (l) Supervising medication management services for assigned clients

  (m) Assists in the development of nursing related policies and procedures, in accordance with 105 CMR 158.039.

  (n) The individual must demonstrate competency in the following skill areas:

  (i) Communication and interpersonal skill;

  (ii) Observation, reporting, and documentation of participant status and the care or service furnished;

  (iii) Basic infection control procedures;

  (iv) Basic delegated nursing and nursing related skills including:

  Basic elements of body functioning and changes in body function that must be reported to the aide's supervisor; Obtaining and recording vital signs; Personal care skills including appropriate and safe participant personal hygiene and grooming techniques; Assisting participants at various levels of functioning with activities of daily living; Basic restorative nursing; and Safety and emergency procedures, including the Heimlich Maneuver.

  (v) Maintenance of a clean, safe, and healthy environment;

  (vi) Recognizing, responding to, and reporting emergencies and knowledge of emergency procedures;

  (vii) Recognizing the physical, emotional, and developmental needs of participants and working in a manner that respects participants, their privacy, and their property;

  (viii) Prevention of, and reporting, participant abuse, neglect, mistreatment and misappropriation; and

  (ix) Caring for participants enrolled at the Program and participants with a variety of diagnosis, including but not limited to Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.

  (o) Participate in multi-disciplinary staff meetings;

  Conforms to hospital standards of performance and conduct, including those pertaining to patient rights, so that the best possible customer service and participant care may be provided Performs as necessary as the Program Director when the Program Director is offsite, or on ET leave. All other duties as necessary to ensure the compliance and safety within the Department of Public Health's guidelines.

EDUCATION:

Degree in Nursing required. BSN preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

• Licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Massachusetts.
• Basic Cardiac Life Support certification required.

EXPERIENCE:

At least two years of recent experience in the direct care of adults or chronically disabled persons.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Effective English writing skills to report and documentation participant's status and observations and the care or service furnished. Additional language skills appropriate to the patient population is a plus.
• Knowledgeable of basic infection control procedures and nursing related skills such as obtaining vital signs and safety procedures.

NursingAmb

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans