Job Summary:

The Licensed Vocational Nurse is responsible for providing direct nursing services to Residents & for directing the activities of licensed and non-licensed personnel who provide health care & nursing services to Residents.

Description:

Under the supervision of the DON, the Licensed Vocational Nurse provides direct Resident care & assists the operations of the Nursing Service Department to ensure that the highest degree of quality Resident care is maintained at all times in accordance with State and Federal Regulations, Facility policies & procedures, and Resident directives. This position also carries out supervisory responsibilities such as training employees, planning/assigning/directing work, addressing complaints, & resolving problems.

Supervisor: Director of Nursing

Supervises: Licensed & non-licensed personnel who provide health care & nursing services to Residents

Qualifications:

A. Graduate of an accredited school for professional nurses and licensed in good standing in the state where work will be performed;

B. Satisfactory OIG exclusions and background check;

C. Satisfactory personal & professional references;

D. Possess & maintain current CPR certification, or acquire CPR certification within 90 days of date of hire

Required Personal Skills & Traits:

A. Awareness of & interest in the welfare of geriatric Residents with experience in gerontology;

B. Ability & willingness to maintain confidentiality;

C. Current knowledge of State & Federal Regulations, including Medicare/Medicaid regulations, governing long term care facilities;

D. A firm desire to perform the job & a demonstrated willingness to learn;

a. Demonstrate accuracy & thoroughness;

b. Follow policies/procedures;

c. Complete administrative tasks correctly & on time;

d. Complete Resident care tasks correctly, on time, & in a manner that is consistently respectful of Resident Rights, addressing Resident needs & preferences to ensure the highest quality of care;

E. Ability to understand/fully comprehend the English language & communicate effectively with Residents, Resident family members, & staff;

a. Speak clearly & persuasively in positive or negative situations;

b. Listen & get clarification;

c. Respond well to questions;

F. Ability to read & write the English language proficiently;

a. Write clearly & informatively;

b. Edit work for spelling & grammar;

c. Present numerical data effectively;

d. Read & interpret written information/instructions;

e. Communicate changes & improvements effectively;

G. Ability to perform basic math;

a. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, & decimals

b. Compute rate, ratio & percentages

c. Draw & interpret graphs;

d. Calculate figures & amounts such as area, circumference, volume;

e. Basic algebra & geometry;

H. Ability to see & hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met;

a. Close vision;

b. Depth perception;

c. Ability to adjust focus;

I. Ability to speak loudly;

J. Ability to relate information concerning a Resident’s condition in a clear & effective manner;

K. Effective problem resolution skills;

L. Ability & willingness to work ethically & harmoniously with other personnel, Residents, family members, vendors, volunteers, & visitors;

a. Show respect & sensitivity for cultural & educational differences;

b. Treat people with respect;

c. Keep commitments;

d. Inspire trust of others;

e. Work & interact with integrity;

f. Uphold organizational values;

M. Ability to work as part of a Team;

a. Take responsibility for own actions;

b. Generate suggestions for improving work;

c. Suggest innovative approaches & ideas;

d. Balance team & individual responsibilities;

e. Give & welcome feedback;

f. Contribute to building a positive team spirit;

g. Ask for assistance when needed;

h. Share expertise with others appropriately;

i. Provide assistance to other team members as needed

j. Support everyone’s efforts to succeed;

k. Volunteer readily;

N. Exhibit leadership qualities;

a. Communicate changes effectively & positively to staff;

b. Exhibit confidence in self & others;

c. Demonstrate accuracy & thoroughness;

d. Reacts well under pressure;

e. Inspire & motivate others to perform well;

f. Display passion & optimism;

g. Take responsibility for subordinates’ activities;

h. Make self available to staff;

O. Ability to identify & resolve problems in a timely manner, using reason even when dealing with emotional topics;

a. Demonstrate persistence in overcoming obstacles;

b. Focus on solving conflict, not blaming;

c. Gather & analyze information skillfully;

d. Listen to others without interrupting;

e. Keep emotions under control;

f. Remain open to others’ idea & try new things;

g. Develop alternate solutions;

P. Ability to make independent decisions when appropriate, follow directions, work with supervision; & accept constructive criticism;

a. Display willingness to make decisions & accept responsibility for the consequences;

b. Apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions;

c. Exhibit sound & accurate judgment;

d. Take calculated risks to accomplish goals;

e. Include appropriate people in decision-making process;

f. Make decision in a timely manner;

g. Support & explain reasoning for decisions, as needed;

Q. Ability to facilitate safety & security;

a. Observe safety & security procedures;

b. Adhere to all infection control processes;

c. Comply with established safety procedures for transferring Residents;

d. Report potentially unsafe conditions;

e. Use equipment & materials properly;

f. Participate in emergency procedures & drills;

R. Willingness to seek out new methods & principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices, with approval of the Director of Nursing/Assistant Director of Nursing;

a. Look for ways to improve & promote quality;

S. Willingness to learn & improve self;

a. Assess own strengths & weaknesses;

b. Set goals & objectives;

c. Measure self against the standard of excellence;

d. Volunteer readily;

e. Undertake self-development activities;

f. Monitor own work to ensure quality & timeliness;

g. Apply feedback to improve performance;

h. Strives to increase productivity while working at an appropriate pace

i. Pursue training & development opportunities;

j. Strive to continuously build knowledge & skills;

T. Patience, tact, a cheerful disposition & enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult Residents based on their current cognitive level of functioning;

U. Ability & willingness to deal tactfully with staff, Residents, family members, visitors, vendors, volunteers, government agency personnel, & the general public;

V. Ability & willingness to meet deadlines;

W. Ability to deal with frequent interruptions, changes, delays, or unexpected events;

a. Adapt to change;

b. Manage competing demands & set/follow priorities;

c. Change approach or method to best fit the situation;

X. Ability to regularly lift or move 40 pounds - occasionally lift 100 pounds;

Y. Ability to assist in evacuation of Residents in emergency situations;

Z. Acceptable mental & physical health: general health requirements set forth by the policies of the Facility which include a medical & physical examination upon hire;

AA. Ability to cope with the mental & emotional stress of the position, including illness, death & dying;

BB. Must not pose a direct threat to the health & safety of other individuals in the work place.