Restorative Nurse

Elkader Care Center is looking for a Restorative Nurse to support resident care, oversee our restorative nursing program, and help strengthen CNA training and follow-through on the floor.

This is a middle-supervisory role. It is not a department manager position, but it does carry leadership responsibility. The right person will be comfortable coaching CNAs, holding staff accountable, communicating with leadership, and stepping in when resident care needs require it.

What You’ll Do

The Restorative Nurse will:

• Oversee the restorative nursing program, including resident programs for mobility, range of motion, transfers, ambulation, activities of daily living, and maintaining function.

• Work closely with therapy, nursing, CNAs, residents, and families to help residents maintain or improve their highest practical level of independence.

• Assist with resident care plans by identifying needed interventions, communicating changes, and helping ensure care plans are practical and followed on the floor.

• Educate and coach CNAs on resident-specific care needs, restorative techniques, safe transfers, positioning, mobility, and activities of daily living.

• Complete lift training and transfer competency validation before CNAs work independently on the floor.

• Monitor CNA follow-through with restorative programs, transfer techniques, care plans, and resident-specific interventions.

• Help identify changes in condition, resident decline, fall risk, skin concerns, weight concerns, mobility changes, and other care concerns.

• Participate in clinical meetings, care conferences, audits, and quality improvement efforts as assigned.

• Serve as a clinical resource and support person for CNAs and nursing staff.

• Communicate concerns to the Director of Nursing and assist with follow-up when staff need additional education, coaching, or accountability.

• Provide direct nursing coverage when needed as a last-option supervisory fill-in.

• Participate in a rotating on-call schedule shared with the Director of Nursing.

What This Role Is Not

This is not a desk-only position. This person needs to be visible on the floor, hands-on with staff, and involved in resident care.

Who We’re Looking For

We are looking for a nurse who is:

• Comfortable teaching and coaching CNAs

• Confident with lifts, transfers, restorative programming, and resident mobility

• Organized enough to track follow-up, audits, competencies, and care plan needs

• Able to communicate professionally with staff, residents, families, therapy, providers, and leadership

• Willing to step in when staffing or resident needs require it

• Firm but fair when correcting unsafe or inconsistent care practices

• Resident-centered and practical

• Able to balance direct care needs with program oversight responsibilities

Requirements

• Current Iowa RN or LPN license

• Long-term care experience preferred

• Restorative nursing experience preferred, but we are willing to train the right nurse

• Strong communication and documentation skills

• Ability to teach, coach, and hold others accountable

• Ability to assist with resident care, transfers, and lift training

Schedule / On-Call

• This is currently a part-time position, with additional floor hours available if desired. Schedule to be discussed during interview.

• This position participates in a rotating on-call schedule with the Director of Nursing and may be expected to assist with nursing coverage when needed to maintain safe resident care.

Why This Role Matters

This position helps connect the dots between care plans, restorative nursing, CNA training, therapy recommendations, and what actually happens on the floor. The goal is simple: help residents maintain function, prevent avoidable decline, and make sure staff have the training and support they need to provide safe, consistent care.