JOB SUMMARY
Assists the Director of Nursing Services in planning, organizing, developing and directing the day-to-day functions of the Nursing Services Department in accordance with current federal, state, and local regulations governing our center, and as may be directed by the Administrator, the Medical Director, and/or the Director of Nursing Services to provide appropriate care.
ESSENTIAL SKILL/KNOWLEDGE FUNCTIONS
- Operation of oxygen equipment including turning off and on, changing cylinder heads, cleaning/replacing humidifier, and others as necessary.
- Operation of suction machine (oral) including cleaning, selection of appropriate suction catheter, and storage.
- Operation and use of manual respirator.
- Location and use of emergency equipment supplies (box and/or crash cart etc.).
- Operation of whirlpool.
- Operation of scales.
- Operation of glucose monitoring devices, calibration and cleaning etc.
- Use of electronic thermometers (oral/rectal and ear).
- Delivery of medications (setting up, rotating, charting, ordering, giving to patient etc.).
- Ordering and use of stock drugs.
- Administration and documentation of insulin.
- Use and delivery of PRN medications.
- Use and delivery of topical treatment application (eye, ear, nose etc.).
- Use, delivery and documentation of narcotic medication.
- Knowledge of procedures for receiving drugs from pharmacy.
- Application of sterile dressings.
- Operation and proper use of pressure reduction surfaces.
- Use of oral airway.
- Knowledge of isolation procedures (when to implement etc.).
- Knowledge of location and proper use of personal protective equipment (gloves, masks, gowns and aprons etc.).
- Delivery of enemas (S & S, and fleets).
- Insertion, irrigation and routine care of male/female catheters.
- Delivery of tube feedings (insertion, flushing, proper amounts etc.).
- Knowledge of procedures and ability to determine Advance Directive status for patients.
- Collection of lab specimens and interpreting results.
- IV implementation and administration.
- Seizure precautions and administration of IV medication during a seizure.
- Knowledge of admissions discharges and transfer procedures.
- Documentation and billing of supplies used.
- Knowledge of procedure for sending a patient to the hospital.
- Knowledge of procedures to follow if unable to reach physician.
- Maintains effective lines of communication with attending physicians.
- Monitors physician services (documentation and visits etc.) in accordance with current regulations.
- Maintains knowledge of documentation procedures including appropriate use of forms, timelines, and Medicare documentation etc.
- Maintains a working knowledge of current licensure standards and the survey process.
ESSENTIAL CLINICAL SERVICES FUNCTIONS
- Assists Director of Nursing with directing, evaluating, and supervising patient care and initiates corrective action as necessary.
- Assists Director of Nursing with assessing patient care needs and the development of individualized plans of patient care.
- Assists Director of Nursing with assessing patient needs and making recommendations for special rehabilitation programs.
- Assists Director of Nursing with evaluating patient care as related to individualized patient needs, family involvement and the physician's plan of care for the patient.
- Assists Director of Nursing with conducting or provide that patient care conferences are conducted.
- Assists Director of Nursing with assessing patient responses to medication and treatment, and making appropriate recommendations for nursing action to be implemented.
- Assists Director of Nursing with providing medications, treatments, diets, rehabilitation and restorative care to patients in accordance with physicians orders and the patients individual needs.
- Assists Director of Nursing with reporting problems to the Administrator, conducting daily patient rounds, and initiating corrective action as necessary.
- Assists Director of Nursing with directing and implementation of educational programs, quality assurance program and infection control program.
- Assists Director of Nursing with establishing open lines of communication with consultants and consistently takes follow up action on recommendations.
- Assists Director of Nursing with consistently making recommendations of level of care determinations based on physicians documentation and plan of care.
- Assists Director of Nursing with coordinating the care planning/MDS process and committee meetings as necessary.
ESSENTIAL FINANCIAL FUNCTIONS
- Assists Director of Nursing with establishing an annual budget for submission to management for approval.
- Assists Director of Nursing with providing the purchase and availability of necessary supplies.
- Assists Director of Nursing in the planning and implementation of the nursing department budget.
ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY RELATIONS FUNCTIONS
- Develops relationships with community agencies providing services of benefit to the nursing center.
- Participates in community/civic matters/projects.
ESSENTIAL CUSTOMER SERVICE FUNCTIONS
- Communicates well with patients and family members providing warm and friendly greeting and an approachable attitude to family/visitors/patients/ and responds to expressed concerns while displaying a helpful, caring demeanor, answers questions when appropriate in a professional manner.
- Assists Director of Nursing with reviewing, investigating and arbitrating complaints and disputes concerning patients and families.
ESSENTIAL MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS
- Assists Director of Nursing in assuming responsibility for reviewing and evaluating recommendations of the Nursing Centers committees and consultants.
- Assists Director of Nursing with operating the nursing department in accordance with the established guidelines of the organization, and in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
- Assists Director of Nursing with demonstrating appropriate/effective supervisory skills that include fair and uniformly applied corrective actions administered without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, religion, handicap or marital status.
- Assists Director of Nursing with conducting staff meetings with each shift for purposes of planning, coordinating and implementing nursing services guidelines.
- Assists Director of Nursing with demonstrating consistent ability to manage nursing service problems and emergency situations.
- Assists Director of Nursing with directing and supervising scheduling of associates within established guidelines for allocation of nursing services personnel.
- Assists Director of Nursing with conducting interviews, hiring nursing associates, conducting counseling interviews, and initiating corrective action as necessary.
- Assists Director of Nursing with conducting associate performance evaluations and initiating recommendations for salary increases, promotions, or corrective actions.
- Assists Director of Nursing with coordinating nursing services functions with other departments for the overall operation of the nursing center in an efficient manner.
- Assists Director of Nursing with enforcing the nursing center guidelines.
- Assists Director of Nursing with assessing and maintaining appropriate supply and equipment levels in accordance with established departmental budget.
- Assists Director of Nursing with maintaining appropriate personnel file documentation including reference checks, screenings, corrective actions, evaluations, skill verifications and others as necessary.
- Assists Director of Nursing with reviewing and responding to complaints/grievances (associate and/or patient and/or family) related to the nursing department.
- Assists Director of Nursing with maintaining appropriate documentation in regards to incident/accidents and OSHA regulations.
- Assists Director of Nursing in assuming responsibility for and honors patients rights to fair and equitable treatment, self-determination, individuality, privacy, property and civil rights, including the right to wage complaints.
- Assists Director of Nursing in assuming responsibility for procedural guidelines relative to the prevention and reporting of patient abuse.
- May be required to make management reports and special assignments.
ESSENTIAL ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS
- Participates in Nursing Center surveys (Licensure/JCAHO) and any subsequently required reports.
- Attends and participates in continuing educational programs to keep abreast of changes in your field as well as to maintain current license/certification, as required.
- Attends and participates in mandatory in-services.
- Follows established safety procedures when performing job tasks and/or working with equipment.
- Honors patients rights to fair and equitable treatment, self-determination, individuality, privacy, property and civil rights, including the right to wage complaints.
- Complies with the Corporate Compliance Program.
- Reports job-related functions/tasks that involve occupational hazards including exposure to blood and body fluids and others as necessary.
- Follows established safety regulations, to include fire protection/prevention, smoking regulations, infection control, etc.
- Performs other related duties as necessary and as directed by supervisor.
- Complies with all Privacy & Security Programs.
ESSENTIAL GENERAL FUNCTIONS
- Attendance
- Punctuality
- Professional Appearance
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
A RN nursing degree from an accredited college or university as evidenced by primary source of verification.
LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS
Current RN License in the State of Georgia as evidenced by primary source of verification. American Heart Association or American Red Cross BLS CPR required.
OTHER TRAINING, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
A minimum, two year(s) of experience in a supervisory capacity in a hospital or long-term care Nursing Center. Should have training experience in rehabilitative and restorative nursing practices. Should have education, training, and/or experience in one of the following: rehabilitative nursing, geriatric nursing and/or Psychosocial nursing.
PRIMARY ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS
Primary Physical Requirements:
- Lift up to 10 lbs.: Frequently required when lifting charts weighing approximately 5 to 10 pounds.
- Lift 11 to 25 lbs.: Constantly
- Lift 26 to 40 lbs.: Constantly
- Lift over 40 lbs.: Constantly
- Carry up to 10 lbs.: Occasionally may be required to carry medical charts from one location in center to another (50 to 100 feet). If carrying more than one chart, can implement the use of a cart.
- Reach above shoulder height: 4 feet
- Reach at shoulder height: Constantly required while documenting charts, drawing blood, and providing care to patients.
- Reach below shoulder height: Frequently may be required when reaching for clerical supplies or charting information in drawers.
- Push/Pull: 20 feet.
Hand Manipulation:
- Grasping: Constantly during course of day while documenting medical files.
- Handling: Frequently handling paperwork and occasionally various diagnostic tools such as thermometer, blood pressure gauge, etc.
- Torquing: Required for opening some medications and tube feedings.
- Fingering: Occasionally may be required for using typewriter, computer keyboard and telephone.
Other Physical Considerations:
- Twisting: Not required.
- Bending: Occasionally may occur when drawing blood or taking vital signs.
- Crawling: Not required.
- Squatting: Occasionally
- Kneeling: Not required.
- Crouching: Not required.
- Climbing: Occasionally
- Balancing: Not required.
During an 8-hour day, Associate is required to:
Consecutive Hours Total Hours
Sit 2 2
Stand 2 2
Walk 2 4
Work Surface: Associate may be required to stand on carpeting, linoleum, or be seated at a standard desk at the nurses station using an office chair.
Cognitive and Sensory Requirements:
- Talking: Necessary for communicating with others.
- Hearing: Necessary for taking instructions from physicians and supervisor.
- Tasting & Smelling: Required for accurate maintenance and detection of wounds, urinary tract problems, etc.
EQUIPMENT USED
Phone system, computers, computer-based programs and other clinical equipment.
SUMMARY OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES
Tasks assigned to the position may involve potential and/or direct exposure to blood, body fluids, infectious disease, air contaminants and hazardous chemicals. May be subject to hostile and emotionally upset patients, family members, associates and visitors.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Associate must be able to tolerate prolonged sitting as required when documenting information in medical charts for patients. Must be able to direct and work in a high-paced nursing center.
Drug-Free Workplace
