Description

Position Summary

Registered Nurses care for people who are sick, injured, convalescent or disabled. Under general supervision, they deliver care to patients utilizing the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention, implementation, and evaluation, in accordance with established philosophy, company policy and federal and state regulations for the long and short-term care industry. Nurses collaborate with other professional disciplines to ensure effective patient care delivery and achievement of desired patient outcomes. Nurses effectively interact with patient and significant others, while maintaining the standard of professional nursing. The nature of the direction and supervision required for this position varies by State and job setting. Geriatric Registered Nurses care for the physical and psychosocial needs of older adults. They focus on maximizing patients' functional abilities, as well as promoting, maintaining and restoring their physical and mental health.

Position Responsibilities

Geriatric Registered Nurses (RN’s)provide direct and individualized nursing care to older patients based on the application of scientific nursing principles. Responsibilities of Geriatric Registered Nurses include (but are not limited to): 

• Promotes and maintains a focus of patient-centered care
• Adheres to laws, rules & regulations and practices ethical integrity and interpersonal skills
• Maintains compliance with long-term care regulations including federal, state and health regulations
• Has strong leadership abilities in change leadership, enforcing laws, rules & regulations, ethical integrity and interpersonal skills
• Consults and coordinates with health care team members to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care plans
• Prepares and administers (by various routes) and records prescribed medications. Reports adverse reactions to medications or treatments in accordance with the policy regarding the administration of medications by a licensed registered nurse
• Records patients' medical information and vital signs
• Assesses the patients' ability to do routine daily tasks
• Assists patients with such basic needs as dressing, eating, and bathing, and encourages patients to do things for themselves to retain feelings of independence and self-esteem
• Recognizes and manages geriatric syndromes common to older adults, including cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary, hematological, musculoskeletal, endocrine, neurological, psychiatric/psychosocial, integumentary, sensory and pain problems
• Prepares equipment and aids physician during examination and treatment of patient
• Facilitates older adults' active participation in all aspects of their own health care
• Promotes the desirability of quality end-of-life care for older adults
• Records all care information concisely, accurately and completely, in a timely manner, appropriate format, entering into the applicable computer system(s), and on the appropriate forms
• Direct the care provided by licensed practical nurses and nursing aide as assigned
• Completes required orientation, mentoring and staff training as directed by facility
• Perform position duties in a manner as to assure resident safety and rights are priority
• Float among various clinical services, where qualified and competent
• Adheres to the facility corporate compliance program and promotes the program in a positive and effective manner
• Performs other position-related duties as assigned, depending on assignment/shift setting

Other Responsibilities

• Follows facility OSHA safety rules and procedures
• Follows facility policies and procedures and adheres to federal and state regulations for long-term care
• Respects cultural and religious practices of patients
• Upholds HIPAA regulations
• Maintains a punctual and dependable attendance record

Position Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited RN program
• Current RN license, in good standing with the State licensing board
• Minimum of (1) year LTC experience
• Federal, State, and MHI required credentials current and on file
• Cognitive skills as related to the position

Working Conditions

Because the patients need round-the clock care, working hours include days, nights, weekends and holidays. The number of patients assigned per shift will vary with facility and specialty, if applicable. Nurses spend considerable time walking, bending, stretching and standing; they assist in patient transfers. Nurses must guard against back injury because they may have to assist CNA's with patient repositioning and transfers; they must follow proper company procedures as it relates to the use of mechanical patient lift devices . Nurses may face hazards from exposure to chemicals and infectious diseases. In addition, the population cared for will contain patients that are confused, irrational, agitated, or uncooperative, from diagnosis, such as Alzheimer's.

Physical Demands

• Long periods of sitting at a desk and working on computer. Prolonged periods of standing, bending, and reaching
• Ability to lift twenty (20) pounds. Moving, lifting or transferring of patients may involve lifting of up to fifty (50) pounds, as well as assist with weights of more than one-hundred (100) pounds
• Fine motor skills
• Visual acuity

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach forward with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift or move 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Physical Demand Ratings are an estimate of the overall strength requirements that are consider to be important for an average, successful work performance of a specific job. The overall physical demand rating for an RN falls within the Medium classification (exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.