Night Shift Floor Nurse (5p-5a)

Job Description:\n\nFloor Nurse Position Purpose: The primary purpose of the job position of floor nurse is to provide direct nursing care to the elders, and to supervise the day-to-day nursing activities performed by Certified Nurse Aides and Certified Medication Aides. Such supervision must be in accordance with current federal, state, facility, and as may be required by the Director of Nursing Services to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times. Delegation of Authority Any and all Floor Nurses are delegated the administrative authority and accountability necessary for carrying out any and all assigned duties which are consistent with the scope of practice including in the Nurse Practice Act of the State of Kansas Board of Nursing. Supervision: The Floor Nurse is under the direct supervision of the facility’s Director of Nursing and/or the Adminstrator as delegated by the Director of Nursing. Qualifications and Position Requirements:The desired minimum requirements necessary to effectively perform position responsibilities include a Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university, or be a graduate of an approved LPN/RN program; excellent leadership skills or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience, and respect for the principles of resident rights, confidentiality, EEO and ADAMust possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as an RN or LPN in this stateMust be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English languageMust possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such actionMust possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, elders, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general publicMust be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to long-term careMust possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with professional and non-professional personnelMust possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures, etc., that are necessary for providing quality careMust have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residentsMust be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practicesMust be able to relate information concerning an elder’s conditionMust not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace Other Training, Skills and Experience Recommendations:Computer skills, knowledge of medical terminology, dementia trainingOn-the-job training and on-going education will be provided Essential Functions (with or without reasonable accommodations): The duties and responsibilities included under the essential functions listing have been determined by management to be essential to the successful performance of this position. However, this listing may not be inclusive of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required. The omission or exclusion of duties and responsibilities from this description does not infer that the designated employee will not be required to perform additional job-specific duties if the work is similar, related or becomes an essential function of this position.Direct the day-to-day functions of the nursing assistants in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long-term care facilityEnsure that all nursing personnel assigned to you comply with the written policies and procedures established by this facilityPeriodically review the department’s policies, procedure manuals, job descriptions, etc. and make recommendations for revisionsMeet with your assigned nursing staff, as well as support personnel, in planning the shifts’ services, programs, and activitiesEnsure that the nursing service personnel comply with the procedures set forth in the Nursing Service Procedures ManualMake written and oral reports/recommendations concerning the activities of your shift as requiredCooperate with other elder services when coordinating nursing services to ensure that the elder’s total regimen of care is maintainedEnsure that all assigned nursing service personnel are in compliance with their respective job descriptionsParticipate in the development, maintenance, and implementation of the facility’s quality assurance program for the nursing service departmentParticipate in surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as may be requestedPeriodically review the elder’s written discharge plan and participate in the updating of the resident’s written discharge plan as required Assist in planning the nursing services portion of the elder’s discharge plan as necessaryInterpret the department’s policies and procedures to personnel, elders, visitors, and government agencies as requiredAdmit, transfer, and discharge elders as required per policies and proceduresComplete accident/incident reports as necessary per policies and procedures and include thorough investigation of incident including root cause analysis of eventPerform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc., as necessaryComplete and file required recordkeeping forms/charts upon the elder’s admission, transfer, and/or dischargeEncourage attending physicians to review treatment plans, record and sign their orders, progress notes, etc., in accordance with established policiesReceive telephone orders from physicians and record on the Physicians’ Order FormTranscribe physician’s orders to elder charts, cardex, medication cards, treatment/care plans, as requiredDocument nurses’ notes in an informative and descriptive manner that reflects the care provided to the elder, as well as the elder’s response to careRecord new/changed diet orders Forward information to the Dietary DepartmentReport all discrepancies noted concerning physician’s orders, diet change, charting error, etc., to the Director of NursingEnsure that appropriate documentation concerning unauthorized discharges is entered in the elder’s clinical record in accordance with established proceduresPerform routine charting duties as required and in accordance with established charting and documentation policies and proceduresSign and date all entries made in the elder’s medical recordPerform “Five Rights” of Medical AdministrationEnsure that an adequate supply of floor stock medications, supplies, and equipment is on hand to meet the nursing needs of the elders Report needs to the Nurse SupervisorOrder prescribed medications, supplies, and equipment as necessary, and in accordance with established policiesEnsure that narcotic records are accurate for your shift Notify the Director of Nursing of all drug and narcotic discrepancies noted in your shiftReview medication dispensing cards for completeness of information, accuracy in the transcription of the physician’s order, and adherence to stop order policies Notify the attending physician of automatic stop orders prior to the last dosage being administeredDispose of drugs and narcotics as required, and in accordance with established proceduresParticipate in employee performance evaluations, determining your shift’s staffing requirements, and making recommendations to the Director of Nursing concerning employee dismissals, transfers, etc.Inform the Director of Nursing of staffing needs when assigned personnel fail to report to work Report absentee call-ins to the Director of NursingReview and evaluate your department’s work force and make recommendations to the Director of NursingDevelop work assignments and/or assist in completing and performing such assignmentsProvide leadership to nursing personnel assigned to your unit/shiftMake daily rounds of your unit/shift to ensure that nursing service personnel are performing their work assignments in accordance with acceptable nursing standards Report problem areas to the Director of NursingMeet with your shift’s nursing personnel, on a regularly scheduled basis, to assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or to improve servicesEnsure that department personnel, elders, and visitors follow the department’s established policies and procedures at all timesDevelop and maintain a good working rapport with inter-departmental 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 eldersCreate and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the unit and shiftTurn in complaints and grievances to Social Services Director, Director of Nursing or AdministratorEnsure that disciplinary action is administered fairly and without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, religion, handicap, or marital statusReceive/give the nursing report upon reporting in and ending shift duty hours Inform appropriate personnel of new admissions, their expected time of arrival, room assignment, etcEnsure that rooms are ready for new admissionsGreet newly admitted elders upon admissionEscort them to their rooms as necessaryParticipate in the orientation of new elders/family members to the facilityMake rounds with physicians as necessaryRequisition and arrange for diagnostic and therapeutic services, as ordered by the physician, and in accordance with our established proceduresConsult with the elder’s physician in providing the elder’s care, treatment, rehabilitation, etc., as necessaryReview the elder’s clinical record for specific treatments, medication orders, diets, etc., as necessaryImplement and maintain established nursing objectives and standardsMake periodic checks to ensure that prescribed treatments are being properly administered by certified nursing assistants and to evaluate the elder’s physical and emotional statusEnsure that direct nursing care be provided by a licensed nurse, a certified nursing assistant, and/or a nurse aide trainee qualified to perform the procedureCooperate with and coordinate social and activity programs with nursing service schedulesNotify the elder’s attending physician and next-of-kin when there is a change in the resident’s condition/deathCarry out restorative and rehabilitative programs, to include self-help and careInspect the nursing service treatment areas daily to ensure that they are maintained in a clean and safe mannerAdminister professional services such as; catheterization, tube feedings, suction, applying and changing dressings/bandages, packs, colostomy, and drainage bags, glucometers, giving massages and range of motion exercises, care for the dead/dying, etc.Obtain sputum, urine and other specimens for lab tests as orderedTake and record vital signs, blood pressures, etc., as necessaryMonitor seriously ill elders as necessaryEnsure that personnel providing direct care to elders are providing such care in accordance with the elder’s care plan and wishesEnsure that elders who are unable to call for help are checked frequently per the care planMeet with elders, and/or family members, as necessaryReport problem areas to the Director of NursingAssist in arranging transportation for discharged elders as necessary Ensure that discharged elders are escorted to the pick-up areaCall funeral homes when requested by the family Ensure that established post-mortem procedures are followedImplement and maintain an effective orientation program that orients the new employee to your shift, its policies and procedures, and to his/her job position and dutiesAssist in standardizing the methods in which work will be accomplishedAssist in training department personnel in identifying tasks that involve potential exposure to blood/body fluidsAttend and participate in outside training programsAttend and participate in annual mandated CMS, OSHA and CDC in-service training programs for hazard communication, TB management, and blood-borne pathogens standardAttend and participate in advance directive in-service training programs for the staffAttend and participate in continuing education programs designed to keep you abreast of changes in your profession, as well as maintain your license on a current statusMonitor your assigned personnel to ensure that they are following established safety regulations in the use of equipment and suppliesEnsure that established departmental policies and procedures, including dress codes, are followed by your assigned nursing personnelAssist the Director and/or Infection Control Coordinator in identifying, evaluating, and classifying routine and job-related functions to ensure that tasks in which there is potential exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identified and recorded Ensure that an adequate supply of personal protective equipment are on hand and are readily available to personnel who perform procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluidsEnsure that your assigned work areas (i.e., nurse’s stations, medicine preparation rooms, etc.) are maintained in a clean and sanitary mannerEnsure that your neighborhood’s elder care rooms, treatment areas, etc., are maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary mannerEnsure that your assigned personnel follow established hand-washing techniques in the administering of nursing care proceduresEnsure that your assigned personnel participate in and conduct all fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional mannerParticipate in the development, implementation, and maintenance of the infection control program for monitoring communicable and/or infectious diseases among the elders and personnel Ensure that your assigned personnel follow established infection control procedures when isolation precautions become necessaryEnsure that nursing personnel follow established procedures in the use and disposal of personal protective equipmentParticipate in the development, implementation and maintenance of the procedures for reporting hazardous conditions or equipmentEnsure that all personnel wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies (e.g., back brace, gait belts, lifter, etc.) when lifting or moving eldersRecommend to the Director of Nursing the equipment and supply needs of your unit/shiftEnsure that an adequate stock level of medications, medical supplies, equipment, etc., is maintained on your unit/shift at all times to meet the needs of the eldersParticipate in the development and implementation of the procedures for the safe operation of all nursing service equipmentEnsure that only trained and authorized personnel operate your unit/shift’s equipment Ensure that all personnel operate nursing service equipment in a safe mannerMonitor nursing procedures to ensure that nursing service supplies are used in an efficient