Charge Nurse

Job Summary:

The R.N./Charge Nurse is responsible for direct Resident care and for assisting the Director of Nursing (DON) in directing the activities of licensed and non-licensed personnel who provide health care & nursing services to Residents.

Description:

Under the supervision of the DON, the R.N./Charge Nurse assists in directing the operations of the Nursing Service Department to ensure that the highest degree of quality Resident care is maintained at all times in accordance with State and Federal Regulations, Facility policies & procedures, and Resident directives. This position helps to ensure that the total needs of Residents are met through Minimum Data Assessment (MDS) and Resident Care Plan coordination.

Qualifications:

A. Graduate of an accredited school (at least two-year college or technical school) for professional nurses and licensed in good standing in the state where work will be performed; Associate’s degree (A.A. or A.A.S. or A.S.);

B. Satisfactory OIG exclusions and background check;

C. Satisfactory personal & professional references;

D. Possess & maintain current CPR certification, or acquire CPR certification within 90 days of date of hire.

Required Personal Skills & Traits:

A. Current awareness of nursing & medical practices/procedures and State & Federal Regulations, including Medicare/Medicaid regulations, governing long term care facilities;

B. Awareness of & interest in the welfare of geriatric Residents with experience in gerontology;

C. Ability & willingness to maintain confidentiality;

D. Ability & willingness to commit to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals;

E. Ability to implement programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures, changes, etc., necessary for the provision of quality care & effective operation of the nursing services department;

F. A firm desire to perform the job & a demonstrated willingness to learn;

G. Ability to understand/fully comprehend the English language & communicate effectively with Residents, Resident family members, & staff;

H. Ability to read & write the English language proficiently;

I. Ability to see & hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met;

J. Ability to speak loudly;

K. Ability to perform basic math;

L. Ability to deal with frequent interruptions, changes, delays, or unexpected events;

M. Ability & willingness to work ethically & harmoniously with other personnel, Residents, family members, vendors, volunteers, visitors, and the general public;

N. Ability to work as part of a Team;

O. Exhibit leadership qualities & management ability;

P. Ability to identify & resolve problems in a timely manner, using reason even when dealing with emotional topics;

Q. Ability to make responsible, independent decisions when appropriate, follow directions, work with & without supervision; & accept constructive criticism;

R. Ability to competently work in a variety of computer programs to include MS Word;

S. Willingness to learn & improve self;

T. Ability to facilitate safety & security;

U. Ability to regularly lift or move 40+ pounds - occasionally lift 100+ pounds;

V. Ability to assist in the evacuation of Residents in emergency situations;

W. Ability & willingness to be follow the attendance policy/procedures;

X. Acceptable mental & physical health: general health requirements set forth by the policies of the Facility which include a medical & physical examination upon hire;

Y. Ability to cope with the mental & emotional stress of the position, including the ability to deal with illness, death & dying;

Z. Must not pose a direct threat to the health & safety of other individuals in the work place.

Essential Job Functions: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Nursing Administration

a. Assist the DON in ensuring nursing staff awareness & compliance with Federal & State regulations relative to Resident Rights issues;

b. Conduct narcotics counts & maintain emergency kits/EDKs;

c. Follow Admission, Discharge & Transfer procedures;

d. Document according to Facility policy to include documentation of intervention & Resident/family education;

e. Communicate appropriately & completely with physicians & appropriately document doctor’s orders;

f. Appropriately handle all Employee related issues within scope of authority;

g. Assist the DON with training Employees, planning/assigning/directing work, & addressing complaints/resolving problems;

h. Share responsibilities of On-Call with DON & other designated nursing supervisory staff;

i. Set an example for the rest of the staff through appearance & demeanor;

j. Act as a leader, model, & innovator.

2. Direct Care & Care Supervision

a. Administer basic nursing care to Residents in accordance with Facility policies & procedures;

b. Thoroughly assess Residents & responds according to Nursing Standards of Practice;

c. Plan & implement Resident care according to the Resident Care Plan;

d. Evaluate Residents on an on-going basis to ensure needs are met & care-planned properly;

e. Observe Residents, record significant conditions & reactions, and notify the Physician of Resident condition and reaction to drugs/treatments, and significant incidents;

f. Take temperature, pulse, blood pressure, & other vital signs to detect deviations from normal ranges & assess condition of Residents;

g. Respond to life saving situations based upon nursing standards, policies/procedures, protocol, & Resident advanced directives;

h. Administer medication, including IV medication, according to doctor’s order & established policy/procedure;

i. Assist the DON in ensuring that Residents are free from abuse, mistreatment & neglect;

j. Direct the work of Certified Nurse Aids(CNAs) as assigned by the DON;

k. Direct the work of LPNs & other nursing staff when acting as Charge Nurse;

l. Confer with Resident’s physician, as needed, to clarify medical orders & direct care;

m. Answer call lights & respond to Resident needs as support for CNAs & other nursing staff;

n. Assist with tray service to Residents capable of feeding themselves (if qualifications do not include a minimum of Certified Nurse Assistant). Open milk cartons, sugar packets, prepare cereal on tray, cut meat, & other like assistance as needed. Return trays to proper service carts. After observations and instructions, may record percentage of food eaten;

o. Perform related work as required;

p. Effectively handle Resident & family complaints and requests;

q. Promote & maintain good interpersonal relationship with Residents, visitors, & personnel.

3. Contribute to Facility efforts to maintain &/or improve quality of care through the following:

a. Serve on designated committees;

b. Hold/attend nursing meetings as directed by DON;

c. Attend Department Head & other supervisory meetings as requested by the Administrator or DON;

d. Attend and actively participate in Facility meetings, such as staff meetings, in-services, & designated

committee meetings;

e. Promote quality assurance;

f. Immediately report to the Administrator or DON any suspicions of Abuse, Neglect or Misappropriation of Resident property.

4. Miscellaneous

a. Maintain conformity to Federal and State Regulations for Long Term Care Facilities;

b. Review and adhere to all Facility Policy and Procedures;

c. Maintain conformity to Facility Standards as required;

d. Promote public relations;

e. Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Nursing or Administrator;

f. Comply with uniform/attire (which includes name tag, appropriate shoes) and other requirements in

accordance with policies and procedures of the Facility.

g. The CDC guidelines say that health care personnel should not wear artificial nails and should keep natural nails less than one quarter inch.