DEPARTMENT:

Nursing

SHIFT:

All Shifts

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:

Director of Nursing, Assistant Director of Nursing, and Registered Nurse Managers

RESPONSIBLE FOR SUPERVISING:

Nursing Assistants and others as assigned

POSITION SUMMARY:

Supports the mission of NHC. Exemplifies "The Better Way" through leadership and demeanor. Represents the center in a positive manner both in the medical community and in the community as a whole.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Health - Ability to meet performance requirements

Education and Training:

* Graduate from a nursing program accredited by the State.

* Maintains a current unencumbered licensed to practice in the state where employed

* Seeks opportunities for personal and professional growth. Attends continuing education offerings and through teaching and mentoring, contributes to the ongoing education of partners under his/her supervision

Job Knowledge and Capabilities:

* Is responsible for maintaining clinical competency as evidenced by application of integrated nursing knowledge and skills, leadership and communication skills.

* Utilizes the nursing process in assessment, planning and implementing care.

* Exhibits organizational ability related to work flow, prioritizing to meet the patient care needs

* Integrates current standards of practice as well as local, state, and federal regulations related to nursing services in the care of patients.

* Practices continuous quality improvement thinking and problem solving skills.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Physical Demands:

* Able to be on feet standing or walking 8-12 hours per day

* Able to lift 60-70 lbs on occasional basis

* Able to bend, stoop, squat and twist numerous times a day

* Able to see and hear adequately in order to respond to auditory and visual requests

* Able to speak in clear, concise voice in order to communicate with patients who may be hearing impaired

* Able to carry out fine motor skills and manual dexterity

Specific Duties and Responsibilities Required:

* Working with the interdisciplinary care team, to assure accurate patient assessment and development/revisions of individualized plans of care.

* Maintains open and ongoing communication with patients and families, providing opportunity and encouragement to participate in decision making.

* Assure that nursing partners have been assigned duties

* Make rounds, with specific attention to high acuity patients

* Monitor unit/units to ensure that appropriate nursing care (according to established policies and procedures) is being provided and that doctors and families are being notified of changes in patients' condition

* Assume responsibility for assisting with meds and treatments as needed.

* Assist with admitting patients and processing of physician orders as required.

* Assist with hiring and supervision and participates in the orientation of new nursing partners

* Assures the personal dignity and physical safety of each patient. Assist patients to attain the highest level of self-care possible.

* Assist physician during rounds

* Supervise nursing partners as assigned. Complete performance evaluations as required (two times per year).

* Make changes in staffing schedule as indicated by absence and illness and contact additional help to assure staffing levels are maintained in order to meet the care needs of patients

* Carry out personnel disciplinary action(s) (written, verbal warnings, suspension and termination) promptly and effectively as stated in personnel policies and amendments.

* Maintain the security of the premises and direct unauthorized persons coming on the premises to leave

* Perform weekly skin assessments, incident reports, nursing summaries, recording of patient weights, alert charting, daily skilled nurses notes and other documentation as assigned.

* Relieve other shifts if needed.

* Participate in ON-CALL Program

* Attend in-service education programs and participates in Silver Chair Training, as assigned, to learn new procedures, develop skills, etc.

* Leads by example and performs hands on care, answers call lights and assist C.N.A.'s in their duties when needed.

* Perform other duties as assigned

Other Demands:

* Willingness to work with the realization that errors may have serious consequences for patients.

* Patience and tact in dealing with patients.

* Review and practice the promises of NHC's Better Way expectations.

* Willingness to perform a variety of simple repetitive tasks.

* Subject to night, weekend and holiday duty.

* Able to establish and maintain relationships with patients, family members, and other center personnel, while assuring confidentiality of patient information.