RN at Trellis CentennialSNF in Anchorage, Alaska

Job Description:

Administrative Functions

• Assist the Director of Nursing Services in directing the day-to-day functions of the nursing activities in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long-term care facility.

• Ensure that all nursing service personnel comply with the procedures set forth in the Nursing Service Procedures Manual.

• Assist in developing methods for coordinating nursing services with other resident services to ensure the continuity of the residents' total regimen of care.

• Participate in the development, maintenance and implementation of the facility's quality assurance program for the nursing service department.

• Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as requested by the Administrator or Director of Nursing Services.

• Periodically review the resident's written discharge plan. Participate in the updating of the resident's written discharge plan as required.

• Assist the Director in planning the nursing services portion of the resident's discharge plan as necessary.

• Admit, transfer, and discharge residents as required.

• Complete accident/incident reports as necessary.

• Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc., as necessary.

• Agree not to disclose assigned user ID code and password for accessing resident/facility information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the Administrator.

• Agree not to disclose resident's protected health information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the Administrator

. • Report any known or suspected unauthorized attempt to access facility's information system.

Committee Functions

• Attend various committee meetings of the facility (i.e., Infection Control, Policy Advisory, Pharmaceutical, Quality Assessment, etc.) as required.

• Provide information to the Quality Assurance and Assessment Committee as requested.

• Implement recommendations from established committees as instructed by the Director.

Personnel Functions

• Ensure that a sufficient number of certified nursing assistants are available for your shift to ensure that routine nursing care is provided to meet the daily nursing care needs of each resident.

• Develop work assignments, and/or assist in completing and performing such tasks.

• Develop and maintain a good working rapport with inter-department personnel, as well as other departments within the facility to ensure that nursing services and activities can be adequately maintained to meet the needs of the residents.

• Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the unit and shift.

• Meet with your shift on a regularly scheduled basis to assist in identifying and correcting problem areas and/or to assist in the improvement of services.

• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents.

• Report known or suspected incidents of fraud to the Administrator.

• Ensure that departmental computer workstations left unattended are properly logged off or the password protected automatic screen-saver activates within established facility policy guidelines.

Nursing Care Functions

• Inform nursing service personnel of new admissions, their expected time of arrival, room assignment, etc.

• Ensure that rooms are ready for new admissions.

• Make rounds with physicians as necessary.

• Encourage attending physicians to record and sign progress notes, physicians' orders, etc., on a timely basis and in accordance with current regulations.

. • Consult with the resident, his/her family, and the resident's physician in planning the resident's care, treatment, rehabilitation, etc., as necessary.

• Notify the resident's attending physician and next-of-kin when there is a change in the resident's condition.

• Visit residents on a daily basis in order to observe and evaluate each resident's physical and emotional status.

• Ensure that direct nursing care be provided by a licensed nurse, a certified nursing assistant, and/or a nurse aide trainee qualified to perform the procedure.

• Provide direct nursing care as necessary.

• Start IVs, obtain sputum, urine and other specimens for lab tests as ordered.

• Take TPRs, blood pressures, etc., as necessary.

• Admit, transfer and discharge residents as necessary.

• Keep the Director informed of the status of residents and other related matters through written/oral reports.

• Assist the Charge Nurse in monitoring seriously ill residents.

• Monitor medication passes and treatment schedules to ensure that medications are being administered as ordered and that treatments are provided as scheduled.

• Review medication cards for completeness of information, accuracy in the transcription of physician orders, and adherence to stop order policies.

• Inspect the nursing service treatment areas daily to ensure that they are maintained in a clean and safe manner.

• Ensure that residents who are unable to call for help are checked frequently.

• Meet with residents, and/or family members, as necessary. Report problems to the Director.

• Inform family members of the death of the resident.

• Call funeral homes when requested by the family.

Staff Development

• Assist the In-service Director/Educator in developing annual facility in-service training programs (e.g., OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, Infection Control, etc.).

• Attend and participate in continuing education programs designed to keep you abreast of changes in your profession, as well as to maintain your license on a current status.

Safety and Sanitation

• Assist the Safety Officer in developing safety standards for the nursing service department as necessary.

• Ensure that an adequate supply of personal protective equipment is on hand and readily available to personnel who perform procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids.

• Ensure that personnel follow established procedures for the use and disposal of personal protective equipment.

• Monitor your shift's personnel to ensure that they are following established safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies.

• Ensure that all nursing service personnel comply with established departmental policies and procedures.

• Ensure that nursing service work areas (i.e., nurses' stations, medicine preparation rooms, etc.) are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner.

• Ensure that all resident care rooms, treatment areas, etc., are maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner.

• Ensure that nursing service personnel follow established handwashing and hand hygiene procedures.

• Ensure that nursing service personnel follow established infection control procedures when isolation precautions become necessary.

• Ensure that all personnel wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies (e.g., back brace, mechanical lifts, etc.) when lifting or moving residents.

Equipment and Supply Functions

• Ensure that an adequate stock level of medications, medical supplies, equipment, etc., is maintained on premises at all times to meet the needs of the resident.

• Ensure that only trained and authorized personnel operate the nursing service department's equipment.

• Ensure that all personnel operate nursing service equipment in a safe manner. • Monitor nursing procedures to ensure that nursing service supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.

• Ensure that appropriate MSDSs are on file for hazardous chemicals used in the nursing service department.

Care Plan and Assessment Functions

• Participate in the development of written preliminary and comprehensive assessments of the nursing needs of each resident as necessary.

• Participate in the development of a written plan of care (preliminary and comprehensive) for each resident that identifies the problems/needs of the resident, indicates the care to be given, goals to be accomplished, and which professional service is responsible for each element of care.

• Encourage the resident to participate in the development and review of his/her care plan.

• Review resident care plans for appropriate resident goals, problems, approaches, and revisions based on nursing needs.

• Ensure that all personnel involved in providing care to the resident are aware of the resident's care plan. Ensure that nursing personnel refer to the resident's care plan prior to administering daily care to the resident.

• Review resident's medical and nursing treatments to ensure that they are provided in accordance with the resident's care plan and wishes.

Budget and Planning Functions

• Recommend to the Director the equipment needs of the nursing service department.

• Report suspected or known incidence of fraud relative to false billings, cost reports, kickbacks, etc.

Supervisory Requirements

Assist with the overall supervision of and management of the nursing staff. As RN, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Qualification Education and/or Experience

Must possess, as a minimum, a Nursing Degree an accredited college or university.

Must have training in rehabilitative and restorative nursing practices.

2 years or more experience preferably in a long-term care facility.

Language Skills

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

Ability to read technical procedures.

Ability to read and comprehend policy and procedure manuals.

Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers and employees.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability

Must possess

• the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action with the ability to solve practical problems.

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

• leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.

• the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures, etc., that are necessary for providing quality care.

Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age-related needs of the residents served. Be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of team work and team concept. Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to nursing care facilities. 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 relate information concerning a resident's condition. Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as an RN in this state.

Current CPR certification.

Knowledge and experience with PCC preferred.

Must maintain all required continuing education/licensing.

Must remain in good standing with the State Board of Nursing at all times.

Physical Demands

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 cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position. Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure 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 meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which include a medical and physical examination.

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 push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.

May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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

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 directors.

Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary.

Is subject to call back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).

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

Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.

Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday, as well as reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants.

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

May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals. Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, support departments, etc., to adequately plan for the residents' needs.