Staff Nurse

Job Description

Department: Nursing

Reports to: Nurse Manager , DON, ADON FLSA Status: Hourly

FUNCTION: Responsible for performing a wide variety of resident care activities and accommodative services for

Assigned residents as directed by the Nurse Manager/Supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge and skill and/or ability required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Freedom of illegal drug use
• Freedom from use of drugs and alcohol in the workplace
• Anyone found guilty by a court of law of abusing, neglecting or mistreating individuals in a health care or related setting is ineligible for employment in the position.
• At least one-year previous experience in the health care field, preferably long-term care
• Familiarity with medical terminology
• Skilled generalist in patient assessment
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in a team setting.
• Proficient with Microsoft Word; some familiarity with Microsoft Excel preferred.
• Some familiarity with PCC and MDS preferred.
• Knowledge and practice of universal precautions.
• Special interest in and positive attitude about working with long term care residents and the elderly.

Education and/or experience:

• Minimum of an associate degree. Previous experience in health care preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registration: Wisconsin Registered Nurse licensure. Current CPR certification.

Language Skills: Must be able to express self adequately in written and oral communication and to communicate effectively in an interdisciplinary care setting with residents, families, staff members, representative of community and government agencies.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent for medication administration.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form. Ability to solve problems.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: All essential functions and responsibilities included in “Certified Nursing Assistant” job description. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each key function successfully, an individual must be able to perform each key function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the key functions.

Personnel:

• Maintain positive employee relations through proper communication.
• Conduct inservice as requested to keep unit personnel abreast of new policies and procedures.

Resident Care:

• Perform nursing functions for the comfort and well being of the resident.
• Prepare and administer all medications in any form per physician’s orders. Take vital signs as necessary.
• Adhere to time frames. Follow procedures for giving medications precisely.
• Review physician’s orders monthly per facility policy and procedures.
• Order and receive medications from pharmacy. Renew medications as necessary.
• Contact physician’s and record physicians verbal orders. Transcribe MD orders accurately and insure follow-up as indicated.
• Accompany MD’s on rounds as requested to assist with examinations, answer questions, provide input and receive instructions. Insure MD documents as required.
• Administer treatments as ordered by MD.
• Follow universal precautions.
• Observe the practices of dignity and hospitality with respect to all resident’s, families and visitors and other personnel.
• Chart all medications and treatments given. Chart resident responses in resident’s medical records using facility policies and procedures.
• Management of NG tubes, G tubes and catheters as ordered.
• Administer tube feedings as ordered by the MD following facility policies and procedures.
• Recognize, Interpret and report changes in resident’s condition to Unit Nurse Manager/Supervisor.
• Observes, follows and correctly performs manufacturer’s recommendations including:
  • Shake well.
  • Roll or mix.
  • Do not crush.
  • Adequate fluids.
  • Medication taken with food or antacids.
  • Instillation of eye medication.
  • Medication via metered dose inhalers.
• May perform blood glucose monitoring (i.e. Accuchecks) after successful return skill demonstration.
• Removes discontinued, outdated or deteriorated drugs from inventory.
• Safety and Sanitation:
  • Immediately notify the Nurse Supervisor/Charge Nurse of any resident leaving/missing from the facility.
  • Keeps floors dry. Reports spills immediately.
  • Reports all hazardous conditions and equipment to the Nurse Supervisor/Charge Nurse immediately.
  • Report all safety violations.
  • Follow established procedures in the use and disposal of personal protective equipment.
  • Wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies (e.g. back brace, mechanical lifts, gait belt, etc)when lifting or moving residents.
  • Operate all equipment in a safe manner.

CONTINUING EDUCATION: Attends facility in-services as required and continuing education requirements for maintenance of professional certification.

Resident Rights: Promotes and protects residents’ rights, assists Residents to make informed decisions, treat Residents with dignity and respect, protects Residents’ personal belongings, reports suspected abuse or neglect, avoids the need for physical restraints in accordance with current professional standards, and supports independent expression, choice and decision-making consistent with applicable law and regulation.

Environment of Care: Demonstrates understanding of fire and emergency procedures, participates in fire and disaster drills, demonstrates understanding of safety and security procedures, applies safety and security precautions, demonstrates understanding of hazardous materials plan and demonstrates proper use of equipment.

Infection Prevention: Applies hand washing principles during daily work, recognizes signs and symptoms of infection and complies with the employee health program, demonstrates understanding of the process for identifying and handling hazardous waste, maintains personal hygiene, complies with OSHA standards in the workplace.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Demonstrates active listening techniques, gains support through effective relationships, treats others with dignity and respect and seeks feedback.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative to those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Exposure Risk: 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. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Subject to frequent interruptions.

COMMUNICATION:

• Comply with HR policies/procedures.
• Follow work schedules and complete assigned tasks according to the established policies and procedures of the facility.
• Adhere to attendance and tardiness policies.
• Confidentiality of all residents is respected at all times.
• A positive working relationship with residents, visitors and facility staff is demonstrated.

Nursing Physical Requirements - Nurse

Note: In terms of an 8-hour workday, “Occasionally” equals 1% to 33%; “Frequently,” 34% to 66%; “Continuously,” 67% to 100%.

1. Employee’s job requires:

Not at all

Occasionally

Frequently

Continuously

Bend Stoop

X

Squat

X

Crawl

X

Climb-Height

X

Reach above shoulder level

X

Crouch

X

Kneel

X

Balance

X

Push/Pull

X

3. Lifting requirements:

Never

Occasionally

Frequently

Continuously

Up to 10 lbs.

X

11 – 24 lbs.

X

25 – 34 lbs.

X

35 – 50 lbs.

X

51 – 75 lbs.

X

4. Job requires employees to use hands for repetitive action such as:

Simple Grasping

Firm Grasping

Fine Manipulation

Right

Yes

Yes

Yes

Left

Yes

Yes

Yes

5. Employees job requires:

Yes

No

Comments

Working on unprotected heights

X

Being around moving machinery

X

Exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity

X

Driving automotive equipment

X

Exposure to dust, fumes and gases

X

Print Employee Name Date

Employee Signature Date