DESCRIPTION: 

The primary role of the Supportive Living Nurse is to perform day-to-day nursing activities in the provision of resident care.  Each Staff Nurse performs these duties within the scope of practice that they are licensed to perform.  All nursing activities must be performed in accordance with federal, state, and local guidelines and regulations that govern our facility, including the policies and procedures of the organization. (PHI)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Resident Care (All PHI)

·       Gathers objective information/symptoms regarding Resident status to collaborate with RN Manager for Resident Plan of Care.

·       Monitors residents for changes in condition that may indicate progress

or deterioration in the resident’s overall status.  Notifies physicians            

and families of changes and transcribes orders received.

·       Administers medications in Supportive Living area according to facility policy and monitors residents for therapeutic and adverse effects.  Notifies physician and pharmacy of suspected and actual adverse reactions.  Documents medications in the electronic medical record immediately when given or refused.

·       Triages emergency situations in all of Assisted Living, and provides appropriate first aid in a timely manner.  Completes appropriate reports and consults RN Manager as needed.

·       Supports Resident Assistants with all aspects of Medication Management.

·       Admits new residents to Supportive Living performing tasks and documentation as assigned and providing a general orientation to the resident and or family members. 

·       Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team for discharge planning of residents.  Teaches and instructs residents regarding the discharge plan, medications, treatment techniques, and physician follow-up.

·       Initiates and assists with completion of and updating of required Medication Administration forms including new physician orders. 

·       Documents pertinent changes in resident’s condition, concerns and interventions, in resident's electronic medical record.

·       Works closely with RN Manager to support LPN staff under their licensure.

Continuous Improvement

·       Participates in ongoing programs to monitor, evaluate, and improve quality and appropriateness of care.

·       Supports Encore Village specific and organization wide Continuous Improvement (CI) initiatives.  Participates on CI teams as requested.

·       Ensures standard precautions and infection control, isolation, fire, safety and sanitation practices and procedures are followed by co-workers.

Financial Management

·       Completes routine assignments within designated shift thereby, preventing unnecessary overtime.

·       Utilizes supplies and equipment appropriately to prevent waste and breakage of patient care resources.

Residents Rights

·       Understands, complies with and promotes all rules regarding resident rights.

·       Reports all suspected, alleged, or witnessed physical, sexual, or verbal abuse immediately to Supportive Living Administrator, ADON or DON.

Training and Development

·       Attends all staff meetings and inservices designated as required or mandatory.

·       Attends organization wide programs and meetings to be informed and current on organizational strategies and programs.

·       Serves as role model by maintaining a positive work environment and using effective problem solving with co-workers and the interdisciplinary team.

·       Maintains competence with specified nursing skills.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Physical Activities:

• Constantly standing, walking, talking, hearing, bending, squatting, reaching, twisting, feeling, grasping, reaching with arms and hands, and repetitive movement of removing charts from rack and writing in charts.

• Occasionally sitting, crouching, crawling, tasting, and smelling.

Range of Motion:

• Constantly moving from waist-shoulder height and waist and below height.

• Frequently moving from shoulder and above.

Weight Lifting Requirements:

• Constantly being able to lift up to 50 lbs.

Vision Requirements:

• Frequently utilizing the ability to focus.

• Occasionally looking at computer monitor, utilizing color vision (identifying and distinguishing colors) and utilizing peripheral and depth perception.

Environmental Exposure:

• Constantly being exposed to body fluids/blood and being required to wearing protective clothing.

• Occasionally being exposed to chemical hazards and operating equipment.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

Education/Licensure:

·       Graduation from an accredited RN program

·       Current RN license within the State of Illinois

·       Current CPR card

Experience:

·       1 year experience of long term care nursing preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

·       Exposure to communicable disease. (PHI)

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

·       Ability and willingness to work more than usual hours when needed, possibly during different shifts, weekends, or holidays.

·       Basic computer knowledge/skills.

·       Capable of performing the responsibilities and essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations.

·       Maintains confidentiality of information.