CHARGE NURSE

Purpose: The Charge Nurse supervises the day-to-day nursing activities performed by nursing assistants and provides direct nursing care to the residents. The Charge Nurse ensures the optimum level of care is delivered to the residents in compliance with current Federal, State, local and facility standards, guidelines, regulations, and polices and as may be directed by the Registered Nurse Manager.

Reports to: Registered Nurse Manager (RNM)

Essential Job Duties:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

* Directs and renders care to the residents within an assigned unit. Includes performing admission assessments, transfers, and discharges of residents on assigned unit.
* Administers medications, charts, assists physicians, and supervises other nursing staff according to established policies and procedures.
* Reviews medication orders and medication administration record for completeness and accuracy of information, accuracy in the transcription of physician orders, and adherence to stop order policies.
* Determines employee work assignments and has the authority to make changes and revise duties as needed to meet resident needs.
* Makes visits to all residents' rooms to observe and evaluate physical and emotional status/needs of the residents during the shift. Observes resident condition and notifies the RNM and PCP/consulting physician of any changes or any possible need for medication or treatment.
* Provides direct resident care when needed, i.e., takes blood pressure, weights, assists with lifting/transferring/turning residents, etc.
* Initiates resident care plans for appropriate problems and revisions based on nursing needs. May need to complete MDS forms and other required documentation.
* Receives, understands, and disseminates resident reports from staff on previous shifts.
* Administers prescribed medication and treatments as ordered by the physician. Charts same and notes all effects. Note: Charge LPN's can only administer treatments they are authorized to administer.
* Keeps the RNM informed of resident status and other related matters via written reports and verbal communication.
* Interprets and implements facility and department policies and procedures in a fair and consistent manner.
* Personally evaluates nursing employees who are assigned to area in aspects of employee job performance. Provides counseling to staff in areas of job performance and quality of care delivered. Personally involved in the process of discipline when facility rules are not followed. Issues warnings and suspends staff when appropriate.
* Notifies appropriate family members or responsible parties of any change in the resident's condition.
* Completes event reports promptly for residents and staff when necessary.
* Maintains confidentiality of all pertinent care information to assure protection of resident rights.
* Converses with residents and their families regarding problems and possible solutions, progress and plan of care and conveys a genuine sense of concern.
* Requests necessary equipment and supplies as needed.
* Improves professional knowledge through professional reading, in-service education, and other avenues. Attends in-service education and supervisory meetings on a regular basis.
* Answers telephone inquires in a professional manner.
* Receives verbal orders from physicians and charts as needed.
* May be required to assist in the hiring process for nursing staff and offers recommendations for hiring and/or rejection based on applicant's qualifications. Assists in orientation of newly assigned personnel to job duties on unit.
* Orders prescribed medications, supplies and equipment as established by facility policies and procedures.
* Follows facility complaint procedure and adjusts or suggests solutions to resolve problems.

Other Duties:

* Orients new residents and their family members to functions of the department.
* Requests assistance of the RNM within areas that LPN's are not permitted to practice.
* Performs other duties as necessary and appropriate or as directed by the RNM, DNS, or Administrator.

Qualifications

* Must be an LPN licensed in the State of Oregon.

Other Requirements:

* Must deal tactfully with staff, residents, family members, visitors, government staff and the general public.
* Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures.
* Must possess supervisory ability, good communication skills, and the willingness to work harmoniously with professional and non-professional staff.
* Must have the ability to plan, organize and schedule work tasks and duties for assigned staff; and ability to interpret program goals, objectives, policies and procedures necessary to providing quality care to assigned residents.
* Must be highly customer service oriented and dedicated to providing superior hospitality and service.

Other Principle Duties Include: Dallas Retirement Village fully embraces a culture of hospitality. To that end, we include the following hospitality promises in all of our community job descriptions.

DRV Hospitality Promises

* We greet residents, employees and guests warmly, by name and with a smile.
* We treat everyone with courteous respect.
* We strive to anticipate resident, employee and guest needs and act accordingly.
* We listen and respond enthusiastically in a timely manner.
* We hold ourselves and one another accountable.
* We embrace and value our differences.
* We make residents, employees and guests feel important.
* We ask Is there anything else I can do for you?
* We maintain high levels of professionalism, both in conduct and appearance, at all times.
* We pay attention to details.

Working Conditions:

* May be exposed to infectious waste and disease, including HBV, HCV, and HIV.
* Moves throughout nursing facility throughout the workday.
* Must be able to cope with emotional and hostile residents, families, guests, staff and other visitors.
* Will be required to work after regular hours, on holidays, and weekends.
* May be required to lift a minimum of 50 pounds (no more than 35 pounds if a resident is involved).
* May be required to bend, stoop, and kneel throughout the day.

Efforts have been made to develop a complete job description; however, please be aware that the duties and requirements listed herein are not the only duties which you may be required to perform. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from being assigned if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position, or is necessary in an emergency.

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