Job Description
Job Description:\n\nEssential Job Functions: The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Organizational Responsibilities: Adhere to, support and promote St. Francis Health Services’ Mission and Core Values, philosophy, goals and objectives while conducting company business.Maintain confidentiality of company and individual receiving services related information at all times.Serve on, participate in, and attend various committees of the care center as appointed by the Director of Nursing or Administrator.Implement and promote quality improvement recommendations.Perform administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms, reports, etc. and submitting such to the Director of Nursing or Administrator as required. Individual Receiving Services Care Responsibilities: Does not disclose individual receiving services’ protected health information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the Administrator.Ensure that all care is provided in privacy, as appropriate, and to knock after entering a individual receiving services’ room or individual receiving services care area such as tub rooms.Report all grievances and complaints made by the individual receiving services, family, or visitors to the appropriate supervisor following the care center’s established procedures.Provide direct individual receiving services care and monitoring.Make prompt initial contact with the individual receiving services (upon admission, return from hospital, etc.).Identify self to the individual receiving services and family, obtain history and observe individual receiving services’ physical and emotional condition.Report issues or concerns to appropriate personnel and document findings.Delegate tasks to Trained Medication Aides (TMAs) and Nursing Assistants as appropriate.Follow and recommend updates to the plan of care for individual receiving services, including immediate and long-term goals.Initiate plan of care at time of admission for each individual receiving services; review care plans, and recommend revision as needed.Maintain knowledge of current nursing care plan for each individual receiving services and inform the nursing assistants of objectives and/or goals, psycho/social needs, and physical needs.Monitor nursing care to assure it is in compliance with the care plan.Monitor individual receiving services for significant changes, report to Nursing Supervisor any observed changes in individual receiving services’ condition and complete documentation.Perform basic nursing procedures safely and efficiently and maintain technical skills.Possess knowledge about techniques and principals involved in procedures and appropriate use of equipment.Comply with care center policies and procedures.Perform lab draws as necessary and as training allows.Ensure medications are safely administered as ordered by the physician.Discern the dosage and effects of medication prior to administration and is alert to potential side effects.Know and practice the eight rights of passing medications (i.e. right individual receiving services, right reason, right medication, right dose, right time [includes right order], right route [includes right technique], right documentation, right response).Clarify with physician regarding unusual dosages or routes of administration.Correctly chart medication administered for that shift.Observe and document individual receiving services response to medication (especially as needed (PRN) medications, new or adjusted doses).Report medication errors as soon as discovered and complete written report according to policy.Follow established procedures for drug control (e.g., locking medication carts, reordering medications, returning unused drugs to pharmacy, signing out controlled drugs, locking medication room door when unattended, etc.).Ensure that the counting and starting of narcotics meets State and Federal regulations and report discrepancies to the DON and Administrator.Clean and stock medication cart at the end of the shift.Maintain a complete clinical record of each individual receiving services’ stay.Accurately relay information concerning an individual receiving services’ condition. Write clear and concise nurse’s notes containing necessary and relevant information.Complete pertinent daily charting. Chart concisely, descriptively, legibly and in logical sequence, individual receiving services’ progress, using proper terminology.Document changes in individual receiving services medical condition, incidents, and responses to treatment and individual receiving services and/or family concerns in accordance with care center policies and practice.Ensure accurate completion of individual receiving services’ vital signs, neuro checks, weights and records.Document treatments. Monitor and document individual receiving services’ physical and emotional response during and after procedures as necessary.Transcribe new physician orders correctly. Ensure physician’s orders are carried out.Accurately monitor individual receiving services’ needs and implement appropriate intervention.Observe and monitor individual receiving services at regular intervals.Notify physicians, DON, Administrator and other department heads of individual receiving services’ conditions as necessary.Take direct appropriate action in emergency situations.Recognize potential emergencies and take the appropriate action (e.g., shock, respiratory distress, diabetic coma, etc.).Notify DON and/or Administrator of any observed potential or actual emergencies.Ensure the coordination of care of any acutely ill individual receiving services (e.g., vital signs, feeding, oxygen therapy, charting, transfers to hospital, etc.).Communicate clearly and appropriately, both verbally and in writing.Communicate with the physician or ensure that the physician is notified regarding individual receiving services progress, physical and emotional status, interventions, and family interactions. Communicate changes in individual receiving services condition to health care provider utilizing a systematic method describing situation, background, appearance and request for orders.Ensure that the family is notified of changes in an individual receiving services’ condition and new orders.Inform nursing assistants of individual receiving services care plan and special needs.Show good judgment in the use of confidential information and follow HIPAA guidelines. Release information only in accordance with established policies and procedures.Educate the individual receiving services and family about the individual receiving services’ conditions and communicate to staff the general knowledge of the individual receiving services’ conditions and needs.Document individual receiving services and family education.Ensure that nursing staff personnel honor individual receiving services’ refusal and treatment requests. Ensure that such requests are in accordance with the care center’s policies and governing advance directives.Demonstrate the knowledge and skill necessary to provide care, based on physical, psycho/social, educational, safety and related criteria for adult and geriatric individual receiving services. Individual Responsibilities: Report all complaints and grievances, according to company policies and procedures, which are made by the individual receiving services, family, or visitors and make a written/oral report to supervisor indicating what action(s) were taken to resolve the complaint or grievance.Report any communicable or infectious disease that you contract to the appropriate supervisor. Personnel Responsibilities: Review departmental complaints and grievances from personnel and make written reports to the Administrator of action(s) taken. Follow care center’s established procedures.Counsel/discipline nursing personnel as necessary.Participate in performance evaluations by objectively discussing the employee’s progress, attempting to integrate mutually agreed upon goals.Demonstrate employee management skills.Understand the hierarchy of the person in charge of the care center and act accordingly.Possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.When acting as Nurse in Charge, notify DON, Administrator, physician, Social Worker, and other directors as necessary.See that duties are assigned and completed to ensure compliance. Delegate tasks appropriately.Assist with individual receiving services assignments based on their individual needs and of available staff.Direct and monitor care given by nursing assistants to ensure compliance with care center’s policies and procedures. Supervise the work performed and attitude of the nursing personnel.Document individual receiving services and staff issues as outlined by the care center documentation policy. Safety / AWAIR Responsibilities: Keep the call light system within easy reach of the individual receiving services.Implement and promote individual receiving services safety recommendations. Know and practice nursing policies and procedures concerning individual receiving services ID bands, restraints, side rails, medications and precautionary measures such as seizures, O2, etc.Utilize proper body mechanics.Wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies (e.g. back brace, mechanical lifts, etc.) when lifting or moving individual receiving services.Report and/or correct unsafe conditions immediately.Report defective equipment to the supervisor.Follow established safety policies and procedures regarding fire, weather related, and other potential disaster threats to individual receiving services and staff.Know exact location of emergency equipment (e.g., alarms and fire extinguishers).Operate all equipment that is used in the department and social areas accurately and in a safe manner according to established procedures.Participate in fire safety and disaster preparedness drills.Follow care center’s established policies governing safety data sheets (SDS) and the handling of hazardous chemicals. Ensure that hazardous chemicals are labeled. Report missing/illegible labels and SDSs to the appropriate supervisor.Promptly report all accidents, errors and unusual incidents to the supervisor no matter how minor they may be. Such occurrences must be reported on the shift in which they occur.Demonstrate and practice correct sanitation techniques, such as hand washing, proper handling of supplies, cleansing and sanitizing equipment, per policy procedure.Adhere to basic infection control practices, and use standard precautions.Follow established policies and procedures in performance of duties such as safety, infection control and exposure to blood/body fluids.Participate in appropriate in-service training programs prior to performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood/body fluids or hazardous chemicals.Use personal protective clothing/devices/equipment when handling infectious waste and/or blood/body fluids.Practice nursing policies and procedures concerning individual receiving services restraints, side rails, medication and precautionary measures such as seizures, oxygen, etc.Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials and hazardous chemicals to the Director of Nursing or designee. Regulatory Responsibilities: Keep abreast of current federal and state regulations, as well as professional standards of practice, and make recommendations on changes in policies and procedures to the Director of Nursing.Understand and follow the Vulnerable Adult and Abuse Policy and reporting procedure.Understand and adhere to Individual receiving services Bill of Rights.Know and follow the individual receiving services’ Abuse Prevention Plan.Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as state and federal laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to long term care. Environmental Responsibilities: Maintain a clean, attractive, safe and sanitary work environment.Keep work areas free of hazardous objects, unnecessary equipment, supplies, etc. Attendance: Attend departmental and staff meetings as directed.Attend and participate in in-service educational classes, on-the-job training programs, workshops, seminars, etc., as directed.Give adequate notice to appropriate person when absence is necessary. Education and Experience: Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Minnesota.Must possess current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification. Specific Requirements: Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language while conducting company business.Must be able to follow oral and written instructions.Must adhere to the Corporate Compliance Program Code of Conduct.Must adhere to company policies and procedures.Must have a positive and friendly attitude.Must be able to solve diverse procedural problems and plans.Must be able to communicate directives to others.Must be able to communicate, coordinate, and facilitate with other departments, families, and the general public.Must respect the individual receiving services’ personal and property rights.Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, individual receiving services, visitors and the general public.Must possess the ability to work harmoniously with other personnel and departments.Must be able to relate to and work with the disabled and elderly individuals within the care center who may at times be ill, confused, uncooperative, emotionally upset, or hostile.Must be willing to work beyond normal working hours when necessary and on other shifts/days.Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.Must demonstrate concern and empathy for individual receiving services, family members, and othersMust be able to request and/or accept direction/education as needed to develop new skills.Able to operate the following equipment:Alarms and other safety interventions/devices;Call light systems;Walkie talkies and/or pagers, if provided by care center.Must be able to accurately relay information concerning a individual receiving services’ condition. Able to write clear and concise nurse’s notes containing necessary and relevant information.Possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.Display initiative in prioritizing and completing assigned tasks. Understand and demonstrate teamwork.Able to operate the following equipment:Glucose testingHemocult testingDressing changesNebulizer treatmentsOxygen administrationMedication administrationMetered dose inhalersTube feedingsCare of ostomy and urinary cathetersEar lavageSuction machineNegative pressur