Charge Nurse

Status: Hourly               Department: Nursing            Supervisor: Wellness Director

 

Purpose of Your Position:

The primary purpose of your position is to provide direct nursing care under the supervision of the Wellness Director to residents, and to supervise the day-to-day nursing activities performed by nursing assistants. Such supervision must be in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines and regulations that govern our facility, and as may be required by the Wellness Director to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is always maintained.

 

Scope of Responsibility:

As Licensed Practical Nurse you are responsible and accountable to carry out your assigned duties and report directly to the Wellness Director.

 

Job Functions:

Every effort has been made to make your job description as complete as possible. 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. The position includes any other duties deemed appropriate and assigned by your supervisor and/or Administrator.

 

Working Conditions:

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

·       Sits, stands, bends, lifts, and moves intermittently during working hours.

·       Is subject to frequent interruptions.

·       Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.

·       Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel and visitors.

·       Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department supervisors.

·       Works beyond normal working hours, on weekends and holidays, in other positions temporarily when necessary. Scheduled hours may change to meet facility needs.

·       Is involved in community/civic health matters/projects as appropriate.

·       Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.

·       Is subject to falls, burns from equipment, odors, exposure from chemicals, etc., throughout the workday.

·       Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.

·       Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, support departments, etc., to adequately plan for the residents needs.

 

Educational Requirements:

·       Must be a graduate of an approved LPN/LVN program.

 

Experience:

·       A minimum of one (1) year experience in a hospital, retirement community, home care, and other related health care facility is preferable.

·       Must have training in rehabilitative and restorative nursing practices.

 

Specific Requirements:

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

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

·       Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such actions.

·       Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public.

·       Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulation, and guidelines that pertain to long-term care.

·       Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with professional and non-professional personnel.

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

·       Must possess accurate and comprehensive assessment skills.

·       Must be familiar with drug actions and interactions.

·       Must have knowledge of restorative nursing rehabilitation policies and utilize appropriately.

·       Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents.

·       Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.

·       Must be able to communicate effectively to appropriate personnel regarding emergency situations.

 

Physical and Sensory Requirements: (with or withing the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

·       Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.

·       Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.

 

·       Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure 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 be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.

·       Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility.

·       Must be able to lift, push and pull and do heavy lifting without restrictions.

·       Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents in emergency situations.

 

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

·       Meet the nursing and rehabilitation needs of each resident.

·       Meet regularly with the Wellness Director to exchange information about the status of residents and personal care services.

·       Provide supervision and assistance with resident activities of daily living as outlined in the client service record. Assistance includes: bathing, dressing, oral hygiene, grooming, toileting/incontinence care, ambulation, transfers, supervise self-administered medication)

·       Follow physician's orders, render and/or assist with complete nursing care, treatments, dressings and other physician orders.

·       Transcribe physician's orders promptly and accurately.

·       Review patient records to assure accuracy and completeness.

·       Document comprehensive and complete nursing notes.

·       Visit each resident daily to evaluate resident needs.

·       Observe changes in resident conditions and promptly report them. Report relevant resident information to each oncoming shift through written/verbal report.

·       Document and report any unusual or significant findings, and contact the physician as necessary.  

·       Administer medication according to procedure. Closely monitor procedures of medication administration, self-administration, and medication supervision.

·       Maintain an accurate and safe control on all drugs for which he/she is responsible.

·       Initiate any and all emergency procedures as necessary.

·       Demonstrate correct safety techniques.

·       Respect and take care of facility equipment and is not wasteful of supplies.

·       Contribute to effective communication and pleasant working conditions.

·       Contribute to and promote positive resident and family relations.        

·       Follow facility policies and procedures.

·       Continue growth and expand job knowledge.

·       Demonstrate leadership skills.

·       Maximize the potential of each employee supervised.