Registered Nurse

Primary Function

Provide restorative nursing care to residents and patients, under the supervision of a licensed nurse, in accordance with facility policies and procedures. Reports resident's needs and concerns to a licensed nurse. Performs a variety of specialized professional level nursing duties which include clinical procedures, specified lab tests, health assessments, and all associated documentation and related activities as licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in North Carolina (Or compact state).

Job Description

• Attends all mandatory agencies in-service/educational programs as scheduled during evaluation period.
• Rotates weekends, holidays, and on-call duty with other nursing staff.
• Recognizes abnormal lab results and/or changes in patient's condition, and notifies physician per agency policy.
• Recognizes and informs supervisor of unusual or difficult nursing care problems and utilizes problem-solving skills to suggest constructive changes.
• Attends at least 16 hours/year of work-related educational programs.
• Participates in QA and Performance improvement projects as assigned.
• Demonstrates safe practices by using proper body mechanics, following policies for sharp/dangerous material handling and disposal, and reporting and/or acting to correct unsafe or costly conditions.
• Cleans and restocks carts at the end of shifts, and as needed, to maintain current and complete nursing supplies.
• Administers medications and treatments to residents as ordered by physician.
• Performs other duties assigned by supervisor to promote efficient operation of the Tsali Care Center.
• Supervise LPN’S, CNA’S, Med Aides and PCA’s as assigned.
• Medication administration through the following routes: oral, eye, ear, nasal, inhalant, transdermal, topical, vaginal, rectal, sublingual, sub q, IM and IV.

Education /Experience

• Current license as a Registered Nurse in North Carolina required. Or licensed in a compact state.
• Graduation from an accredited school of nursing required
• Bachelor degree in nursing or related field preferred.
• A valid driver's license is required.

Job Knowledge

• Must have a thorough knowledge of the policies, procedures and guidelines of the Tsali Care Center, standard nursing practices, applicable OSHA mandates, and related regulatory controls.
• Requires the ability to perform various primary care, acute care, and preventative nursing services.
• Must be skilled in the use of all assigned clinical and lab equipment and knowledgeable of sterile and aseptic techniques.
• Requires the ability to legibly document and maintain clinical records, files, reports, and logs.
• Must maintain specified certifications, such as BLS.
• Must have good communication skills, both written and oral.
• Must have an understanding of the EBCI culture, lifestyles and risk factors.
• Six to nine months would be necessary to become proficient in most phases of the position.

Complexity of Duties

Must be able to make independent decisions about patient needs while following well defined policies, procedures, and established guidelines. Requires the ability to plan, coordinate activities, solve problems, assess situations, and develop appropriate resident case management. Must use judgment and initiative to maintain accuracy of work. Must be resourceful when responding to changing circumstances. Requires the ability to recognize unusual or difficult nursing care problems and utilize problem-solving skills to suggest constructive changes.

Contact with Others

Has frequent contact with residents, families, coworkers, and other health professionals where tact, courtesy, and diplomacy are required to maintain positive relationships. Requires sensitivity to others while dealing with residents and their families who may be under stress while dealing with issues of disease, old age, and poor health. Purpose of contacts is to exchange information, offer instructions, and work together to meet the residents’ goals.

Confidential Data

Must adhere to all tribal guidelines, EBCI policies and procedures for working with confidential data. An above average degree of discretion is required while handling patient and related medical information.

Mental /Visual /Physical

Job duties can be mentally/emotionally stressful at times. Close mental concentration and attention to detail are required for most nursing procedures that can be for short or extended periods of times. Physical activities require the ability to walk, sit, reach, extensive bending, and heavy lifting while assisting residents to walk or turn, and when transferring patients. Must have visual acuity, manual dexterity, and the ability to speak and hear.

Environment

Works in Tsali Care Center and may be exposed to biohazards, disease, etc., which require strict adherence to OSHA guidelines and protocol for aseptic technique. When outside of Tsali Care on business, there could be exposure to inclement weather and a wide range of temperatures.

Supervision Received

Performs nursing procedures in the rooms of Tsali Care Residents, notifying other nurses if assistance is needed in an emergency situation. Reports directly to the Director of Nursing who reviews documentation to ensure all forms are legible, complete, and submitted in a timely manner.

Responsibility for Accuracy

Requires a high degree of accuracy in nursing and lab procedures. Undetected errors could have life threatening results. Requires a high degree of accuracy of documentation of nursing assessments, so that this may be reported to the patient's physician in order to establish an appropriate plan of care and minimize the risk of injury to the patient. The submission of false or inaccurate information would place the agency at risk for fraudulent claims, resulting in loss of agency certification, and the nurse's license would be in jeopardy for false/inaccurate documentation. Action may be reputed to NC Board of Nursing.

Customer Service

Consistently demonstrates superior customer service skills to patients/customers by demonstrating characteristics that align with CIHA’s guiding principles and core values. Ensure excellent customer service is provided to all patients/customers by seeking out opportunities to be of service.