JOB DECRIPTION

JOB TITLE:                          Charge Nurse (RN)

DEPARTMENT:                   Nursing

REPORTS TO:                     Director of Nursing or Designee

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Responsible for the assessment, supervision and direction of nursing care to meet the needs of the residents.  Provides nursing care to residents as prescribed by the physician and in accordance with standards of practice and regulations.  Supervision of nursing personnel in the daily delivery of care.

QUALIFICATIONS

q      Must hold and maintain current license as a Registered Nurse in practicing state.  License must be in good standing.

q      Recent clinical experience, education, or specialty skills specific to geriatrics desired.

q      Demonstrates understanding of state and federal rules and regulations that govern the practices of the facility.

q      Must have the ability to read, write, and follow oral and written directions at a level necessary to accomplish this job

q      Must be able to relate positively and favorably to residents and families to work cooperative with others.

q      Must meet all local health regulations, and pass post-employment physical exam if required. This requirement also includes drug screening, criminal background investigations, and reference inquiry.

q      Must maintain regular attendance on the job

q      Must be able to communicate in a positive and professional manner.

q      Must be able to perform the Essential Job Functions of this job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

q      Related administrative experience at a level necessary to accomplish the job.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

A.         RESIDENT                                           Duties: Adhere to standards of practice, state

ASSESSMENT                                     and federal regulations concerning delivery of care and assure that effective nursing care is delivered which is outcome focused. Effectively interview the resident/responsible party to obtain information required for developing and implementing a plan of care. Demonstrate ability to perform physical assessment through observation, inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation. If applicable, is involved in and accurately completes the RAI process. Identify needs and provide input for discharges planning and follow-up throughout length of stay.

B.         DEVELOPES                                        Duties: Develop individualized plan of care in

PLAN OF CARE                                    collaboration with the resident/responsible party and interdisciplinary care team by documenting problems, statements, goals, and approaches. Seek Certified Nursing Assistant input as needed, when developing plan of care. Define realistic and obtainable short and long-term goals for the residents. Initiate appropriate nursing interventions with time frames for outcome evaluations and document appropriately in medical record. Revise plan of care as needed with input from resident/responsible party and interdisciplinary care team. Initiate training with resident/responsible party consistent with interdisciplinary plan of care.

C.         IMPLEMENTS                                      Duties:  Implement plan of care consistently,

PLAN OF CARE                                    effectively and cost efficiently on resident centered outcomes. Identify rationale and anticipate outcomes for each nursing interventions. Assume responsibility for care interventions consistent with skill level and professional standards of care. Utilize time efficiently to assure completion of duties and responsibilities in allotted time frame. Utilize professional and sound judgment in delivery of care assuring safe, effective care delivery. Follow the Center’s policies and procedures to ensure a safe, caring, comfortable, and clean environment. Utilize all appropriate, available resources for resident/family/responsible party counseling and discharge planning. Keep physician and/or other health care professionals (Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant, podiatrist, dentist, etc.) informed of resident’s condition. Notify physician and/or other health care professional immediately of significant changes of condition. Work in collaboration with physicians and/or other health care professionals by sharing information relevant to changing plan of care.

D.         RESIDENT                                            Duties:  Deliver and maintain optimum resident

CARE                                                   comfort by demonstrating knowledge and skills of current nursing practices. Transcribe physician and/or other health care professionals orders appropriately and accurately.  Seek clarification of physician orders and/or other health care professionals. Perform only those activities that are within the scope of RN nursing practice. Notify physician and/or other health care professionals if orders are not carried out and document event appropriately. Follow company, facility, and departmental policies and procedures, and appropriately utilize nursing judgment. Ensure accurate documentation of all medical records and reporting forms. Promptly respond to call lights and other resident needs.

E.         SUPERVISION                                      Duties:  Supervise Licensed Practical Nurse, Certified Nursing Assistants and other personnel.  Coach, counsel and assign Certified Nursing Assistants and other Nurses to provide quality resident care. Evaluate job skills and work performance of the individuals supervised through the formal performance evaluation process. Appropriately discipline or participate in the discipline of Certified Nursing Assistants and other Nurses for violations of work rules, policies, or poor performance, including the recommendation of suspensions and terminations.  Assign Certified Nursing Assistants and other Nurses specific duties for resident care and direct their work. Assign hours, breaks, and meal periods. Ensure proper staffing by calling in replacement(s) for staff not reporting for work and/or by transferring or reassigning as needed to ensure adequate staffing levels are maintain. Revise work schedules as necessary. Train and/or assist in the orientation of new employees. Attempt to effectively resolve problems/complaints and grievances. Promote a team approach to meet resident needs. Attend, lead, and/or participate in supervisory meetings. Effectively communicate and manage to achieve team goals. Perform other management duties as assigned.

F.         CUSTOMER                                          Duties:  Provide compassionate resident care

SERVICE                                              services. Establish and maintain positive interactions with residents, families, visitors and staff.  Take responsibility for resolving Certified Nursing Assistants, Nurse, and other customer’s issues and concerns to achieve positive outcomes.

G.         RESIDENTS                                         Duties:  Understand, comply with, train and       

RIGHTS                                                promote compliance regarding Residents’                                                                                   Rights.  Promote positive relationships with                                                                                 resident, visitors, and regulators, to include                                                                                 presenting a professional appearance and                                                                                  attitude.

H.         RESIDENT                                           Duties:  Demonstrate safe practices in regard to

COMFORT AND                                    resident’s comfort and safety by applying

SAFETY                                               knowledge of proper body alignment for self and resident. Practice and promote adherence to facility safety policy. Promote a restraint-free environment.

I.          PHARMACY                                         Duties:  Maintain an updated knowledgebase in

KNOWLEDGE                                       pharmacology. Demonstrate knowledge of policies governing medication administration and documentation. Demonstrate knowledge of drug reactions and sensitivities and nursing interventions. Assure that narcotics are secured and accounted properly. Educate individuals, family members or responsible party regarding the resident’s medication regimen.

J.         LAB VALUES                                       Duties:  Recognize normal and abnormal lab values and communicate to physician, and other interdisciplinary team members as appropriate.

K.         INFECTION CONTROL                         Duties:  Demonstrate working knowledge of infection control practices. Monitor, educate and evaluate Certified Nursing Assistants and other nursing personnel on utilization of standard practices on infection control.

L.         SAFETY                                               Duties:  Comply with, support, and enforce Center’s policies involving all safety and infection control procedures to include the proper use of mechanical lifts, gait belts and other necessary personal protective equipment.

                                                                        Ensure equipment and work areas are clean, safe and orderly, and any hazardous conditions are addressed; ensure universal precautions and infection control, isolation, fire, safety and sanitation practices and procedures are followed.

M.        ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE                 Duties:  Exhibits expected ethical and legal standards Reinforces through example and where applicable, conducts training on the expectation that all employees that the supervise conform to these ethical and legal standards, including matters related to resident abuse or neglect.

                                                                        When in doubt about whether a particular activity is proper, refrains from the activity and obtains guidance from their supervisor, the Director of Nursing or the Administrator.

                                                                        Responds promptly and thoroughly when problems are reported by other employees.  Assist in planning, implementing and monitoring corrective action, when problems including ethics and compliance problems and resident abuse or neglect are identified.

                                                                        Maintains compliance in promoting patient privacy, HIPPA regulations and confidentiality in the delivery of care.   Safeguards patients’ medical, financial and personal information.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

A.         STAFF                                                  Duties:  Attend and participate in educational

DEVELOPMENT                                   activities, in-services training, and staff meetings; assist in orientation and training other staff.

B.         QUALITY                                              Duties:  Participate in quality improvement

IMPROVEMENT                                    activities as assigned.

C.         OTHER DUTIES                                    Duties:  Other duties as assigned or needed.

Physical and Sensory Requirements (With or Without Aid of Mechanical Devices):

Walking/mobility, reaching, fine hand coordination, bending, grasping, pushing medication carts,

pulling, lifting, transferring and repositioning residents; ability to hear and respond pages; ability

to distinguish smells, tastes, and temperatures; ability to read and write; ability to understand and

follow written and oral instructions; ability to verbally communicate with residents and others;

ability to understand and apply training and in-service education; ability to instruct personnel

during training education and staff meetings; and ability to remain claim in emergencies and when

handling multiple tasks.

JOB DESCRIPTION REVIEW:

I understand this job description and its requirements; and that I am expected to complete all duties as assigned.  I understand the job functions may be altered from time to time.

I further understand that the purpose of this job description is to identify the major duties and responsibilities of the job and that it is not intended to contain each and every duty inherent in this job.

I understand that this job description is not an employment contract, nor can it be used to create one.  It has been explained to me that my employment relationship is “at-will”, voluntarily entered into and is for no specific period.  As a result, I understand that I can resign at any time with or without reason.  Similarly, my employment may be concluded at anytime, with or without reason.

I have noted below any accommodations that are required to enable me to perform these duties.  I have also noted below any job responsibilities or functions, which I am unable to perform, with or without accommodation.