Purpose of Your Job Position

The primary purpose of this position is to provide direct nursing care to the residents and to supervise the day-to-day nursing activities performed by the Nursing Assistants in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act; current federal, state and local standards; guidelines and regulations that govern the Facility; and as may be required by the Director of Nursing Services or Assistant Director of Nursing/Unit Manager to ensure the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times

Delegation of Authority

As Licensed Practical Nurse you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Job Function

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or is an essential function of the position.

Duties and Responsibilities

• 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 the Facility.

• Ensure that all nursing service personnel comply with the procedures set forth in the Nursing Service Procedure Manual.

• Make written and oral reports/recommendations concerning the activities of your shift as required.

• Cooperate with other resident services when coordinating nursing services to ensure that the residents' total regimen of care is maintained.

• Participate in Facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as may be requested.

• Assist in planning the nursing services portion of the residents' discharge plans as required.

• Admit, transfer, and discharge residents as required.

• Complete accident/incident reports as necessary.

• Complete and file required record keeping forms upon the residents' admissions, transfers, and/or discharges.

• Receive telephone orders from physicians and transcribe as required by Facility policy.

• Chart nurses' notes in an informative and descriptive manner that reflects the care provided to the residents, as well as the residents' responses to the care.

• Perform routine and required documentation/charting duties in accordance with established policies and procedures.

• Sign and date all entries.

• Prepare and administer medications as ordered by the physician in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and as required by Facility policy.

• Order prescribed medications, supplies, and equipment as necessary and in accordance with established policies.

• Ensure that narcotics are handled in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and as required by Facility policy and that narcotic records are accurate for your shift.

• Participate in associate performance evaluations and making recommendations to the Nurse Supervisor concerning associate dismissals, transfers, etc.

• Develop work assignments.

• Make daily rounds of your unit/shift to ensure that nursing service personnel are performing their work assignments in accordance with acceptable nursing standards.

• Meet with the nursing personnel on your shift on a regularly scheduled basis to assist in identifying and/or to improve services.

• Understand Disciplinary Policy and Procedures. Recommend disciplinary action as necessary.

• Make rounds with physicians as necessary.

• Consult with the residents' physicians in providing the residents' care, treatment, rehabilitation, etc. as necessary.

• Recommend and maintain established nursing objectives and standards.

• Notify the residents' attending physicians and next-of-kin when there is a change in the residents' conditions or if the residents are involved in an incident or accident.

• Administer professional services such as catheterizations, tube feedings, suction, applying and changing dressings/bandages, packs, colostomy and drainage bags, etc. as required.

• Ensure that personnel providing direct care to residents are providing such care in accordance with the residents’ care plans and wishes.

• Attend and participate in all Facility in-service programs as required.

• Maintain professional competence through participation in continuing education programs, seminars, and training programs.

• Monitor assigned personnel to ensure established safety regulations are followed in the use of equipment and supplies.

• Ensure that established departmental policies and procedures are followed by self and assigned personnel.

• Ensure work area, unit, resident care rooms, treatment areas, etc., are maintained in a confidential, safe, and sanitary manner.

• Ensure self and assigned personnel follow established infection control procedures.

• Review care plans to ensure that appropriate care is being rendered.

• Ensure nursing documentation reflects that the care plan is being followed when administering nursing care or treatment.

• Ensure assigned Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are aware of and carry out resident care plans.

· Assist the Resident Assessment/Care Plan Coordinator in planning, scheduling, and revising the MDS, including the implementation of CAAs and triggers

Resident Rights

· Ensure that all nursing service personnel including assigned CNAs/GNAs are knowledgeable of the residents’ responsibilities and rights including the right to refuse treatment.

· Review complaints and grievances made by the resident and make a written or oral report to the Nurse Supervisor indicating what action(s) were taken to resolve the complaint or grievance. Follow the Facility’s established procedures.

· Maintain a written record of the resident’s complaints and/or grievances that indicates the action taken to resolve the complaint and the current status of the complaint.

· Report and investigate all allegations of resident abuse and/or misappropriation of resident property.

· Ensure that nursing staff personnel including assigned CNAs/GNAs honor the resident’s refusal of treatment request. Ensure that such requests are in accordance with the Facility’s policies governing advance directives.

· Must adhere to all HIPAA requirements.

Miscellaneous

· Provide data to the Quality Assurance & Assessment Committee as requested.

Working Conditions

· Works in office area(s) as well as throughout the nursing service area (i.e., drug rooms, nurses’ stations, resident rooms, etc.).

· Involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies or personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.

· May be subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, and visitors.

· Communicate with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department directors.

· May be required to work beyond normal working hours, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.

· May be subject to call back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).

· Attend and participate in continuing educational programs.

· 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, at a minimum, a Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university, or graduate from an approved LPN/LVN/ program.

Experience

· Not applicable. On-the-job training provided.

Specific Requirements

· Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as a LPN/LVN in this state.

· Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.

· Must demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age-related needs of the residents served.

· Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of teamwork and team concept.

· 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 or 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 nursing care facilities.

· Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.

· Must be able to evaluate the performance, recommend disciplinary actions, and provide input to complete performance evaluations for personnel.

· Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures that are necessary for providing quality care.

· 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 possess basic computer knowledge.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

(With or Without a Reasonable Accommodation)

· Must be able to walk, sit, stand, and bend intermittently throughout the workday.

· 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 the Facility, which may 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.

· May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

· Based on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Guidelines for Nursing Homes Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders and the American Conference Governmental Industrial Hygienists' Threshold Limit Values for Lifting the Facility has identified that this job may require the lifting of residents, equipment, or other objects. Accordingly, this job may require a minimum of 5 pounds and a maximum of 45 pounds lifting, periodically and or as needed.