Registered Nurse

Description

The overall purpose of the Registered Nurse (RN) position is to participate in and oversee the assurance of the provision of resident care services consistent with accepted standards of care and assigns duties to Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) and/or Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) as appropriate.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Performs duties and responsibilities with assigned functional area within a nursing home facility which may include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following tasks:

• Assures resident care is delivered in accordance with accepted standards of practice. 
• Observes, assesses, and reports on resident’s conditions/changes and then documents in accordance with facility policies as required by regulations. 
• Administers medication/treatment as prescribed. 
• Receives, transcribes, and executes physician orders. 
• Implements and evaluates resident’s plan of care. 
• Identifies and secures equipment and supplies. Notifies supervisor when supplies are needed. 
• Informs subordinate staff about the condition of residents and expectations/needs for the shift assigned at the beginning of each shift 
• Receives report from subordinates throughout and at the end of each shift regarding resident conditions. 
• Directs CNA’s to assure care provided according to standards of practice and according to facility policies and regulations. 
• Rounds with CNA’s prior to end of shift to assure unit is in proper order. 
• Communicates appropriate and thorough information to oncoming licensed staff so that continuity of care is provided from shift to shift. 
• Completes assessments as indicated, such as admission assessments, ongoing pain assessments, etc. 
• Assures residents are as free from pain as possible and advocates for residents with physicians as needed. 
• Consistent and regular attendance. 
• Assures that any resident accident or incident is fully documented, investigated, and reported in accordance with facility policies and per regulations. 
• Assures that each resident’s attending physician and family/responsible party is promptly notified of any significant changes in the residents’ health condition. 
• Performs incidental housekeeping or maintenance tasks as may be required to maintain a clean, hazard-free environment for residents, visitors, and staff. 
• Assists in the evaluation of subordinate staff and any necessary counsel/discipline in accordance with facility policies. 
• Ensures a safe environment is maintained in accordance with policies and regulations. 
• Performs frequent rounds throughout facility to assure that the facility is orderly, odor-free, and clean. 
• Functions as a team leader/role model. 
• Review the facility abuse policy and understands employee’s responsibility to enforce it. 
• Creates highest standard of resident experience, with dedication to resident choice and overall "can-do" approach to resident satisfaction.
• Values and upholds the principles and commitments including compassion, responsiveness, teamwork, courtesy, personalized care, and believing that being nice matters. 
• Dedicated to delivering a high level of customer service. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

• The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to blood or other body fluids, fumes, or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. 
• Ability to communicate in English via phone, in writing, and verbally in conversations with different levels of staff, patient families, and any outside customers. 
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 
• The employee is occasionally required to sit; frequently use hands or fingers, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear and taste or smell. 
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus; ability to utilize a computer, phone, etc. for extended periods of time.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS 

• A current, valid Illinois Registered Nurse license is required. 
• Education/and or experience in long-term care, acute care, or geriatric nursing preferred. 
• Supervisory experience preferred 
• Ability to read, write, and speak the English Language and to verbally converse with different levels of staff, parent families, and any outside customers. 
• No disqualifying criminal offenses as defined by regulatory guidelines. 
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. 
• Ability to write reports nursing/patient progress notes, and nursing procedures. 
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from department heads, customers (patients, family members, physicians, etc.) and the general public.

CONTINUING EDUCATION 

• Attends in-service and educational programs. 
• Attends continuing education required for maintenance of professional certification or licensure. 
• Attends seminars related to essential job duties and stays current with changes to practice. 
• Completes Silver Chair in-services timely as assigned.