Macon Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center is Hiring a Charge Nurse - RN/LPN Near Macon, GA
Purpose of Your Job Position: The primary purpose of your job position is to provide direct nursing care to the residents, and to supervise the day-to-day activities performed by nursing assistants. Such supervision must be in accordance with current federal, state, and local state guidelines, and regulations that govern our facility, and as may be required by the Director of Nursing Services or Nurse Supervisor. Ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times. Delegation of Authority: As Charge Nurse you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying assigned duties. Job Functions:
Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that the only duties you will be required to perform
The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position
Administrative Functions:
Direct the day-to-day functions of the nursing assistants in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long-term care facility
Ensure that all nursing personnel assigned to you comply with the written policies and procedures established by this facility
Periodically review the department's policies, procedure manuals, job descriptions, etc
Make recommendations for revisions
Meet with your assigned nursing staff, as well as support personnel, in planning the shifts' services, programs, and activities
Ensure that the Nursing Service Procedures Manual is current and reflects the day-to-day nursing procedures performed in this facility
Ensure that all nursing service personnel comply with the procedures set forth in the Nursing Service Procedures Manual
Make written and oral reports/recommendations concerning the activities of your shift as required
Cooperate with other resident services when coordinating nursing services to ensure that the resident's total regimen of care is maintained
Ensure that all nursing service personnel are in compliance with their respective job descriptions
Participate in the development, maintenance, and implementation of the facility's quality assurance program for the nursing service department
Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as may be requested
Periodically review the resident's written discharge plan
Participate in the updating of the resident's written discharge plan as required
Assist in planning the nursing services portion of the resident's discharge plan as necessary
Interpret the department's policies and procedures to personnel, residents, visitors, and government agencies as required Admit, transfer, and discharge residents as required
Complete accident/incident reports as necessary
Write resident charge slips and forward to the Business Office
Maintain the Daily Census Report and submit to the Business Office as required
Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc., as necessary
Agree not to disclose assigned user ID code and password for accessing resident/facility information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the Administrator
Agree not to disclose resident's protected health information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the Administrator
Report any known or suspected unauthorized attempt to access facility's information system
Charting and Documentation:
Complete and file required reordkeeping forms/charts upon the resident's admission, transfer, and/or discharge
Encourage attending physicians to review treatment plans, record and sign their orders, progress notes, etc., in accordance with established policies
Receive telephone orders from physicians and record on the Physicians' Order Form
Transcribe physician's orders to resident charts, cardex, medication cards, treatment/care plans, as required
Charge nurses' notes in an informative and descriptive manner that reflects the care provided to the resident, as well as the resident's response to the care
Fill out and complete accident/incident reports. Submit to Director as required
Chart all reports of accidents/incidents involving residents
Follow established procedures
Record new/changed diet orders
Forward information to the Food Services Department
Report all discrepancies noted concerning physician's orders, diet change,charting error, etc., to the Nurse Supervisor
Fill out and complete transfer forms in accordance with established procedures
Ensure that appropriate documentation concerning unauthorized discharges is entered in the resident's medical record in accordance with established procedures
Perform routine charting duties as required and in accordance with established charting and documentation policies and procedures
Sign and date all entries made in the resident's medical record
Drug Administration Functions:
Prepare and administer medications as ordered by the physician
Verify the identity of the resident before administering the medication/treatment
Ensure that prescribed medication for one resident is not administered to another
Ensure that an adequate supply of floor stock medications, supplies, and equipment is on hand to meet the nursing needs of the residents. Report needs to the Nurse Supervisor
Order prescribed medications, supplies, and equipment as necessary, and in accordance with established policies
Ensure that narcotic records are accurate for your shift
Notify the Nurse Supervisor of all drug and narcotic discrepancies noted on your shift
Review medication 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 administered
Dispose of drugs and narcotics as required, and in accordance with established procedures
Personnel Functions:
Participate in employee performance evaluations, determining your shift's staffing requirements, and making recommendations to the Nurse Supervisor
concerning employee dismissals, transfers, etc
Inform the Nurse Supervisor of staffing needs when assigned personnel fail to report to work
Report absentee call-ins to the Nurse Supervisor
Review and evaluate your department's work force and make recommendations to the Nurse Supervisor
Develop work assignments and/or assist in completing and performing such assignments
Provide leadership to nursing personnel assigned to your unit/shift
Make 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 Nurse Supervisor
Ensure that all nursing assistants are enrolled in or have graduated from an approved nursing assistant training program
Ensure that all nurse aide trainees are under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse
Meet with your shift's nursing personnel, on a regularly scheduled basis, to assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or to improve services
Ensure that department personnel, residents, and visitors follow the department's established policies and procedures at all times
Develop 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 needsof the residents
Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the unit and shift
Review complaints and grievances made or filed by your assigned personnel
Make appropriate reports to the Nurse Supervisor as required or as may be necessary
Follow facility's established procedures
Ensure that departmental disciplinary action is administered fairly and without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, religion, handicap, or marital status
Receive/give the nursing report upon reporting in and ending shift duty hours
Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents
Report known or suspected incidents of fraud to the Administrator
Ensure that departmental computer workstations left unattended are properly logged off or the password protected automatic screen-saver activates within established facility policy guidelines
Nursing Care Functions:
Inform nursing personnel of new admissions, their expected time of arrival, room assignment, etc
Ensure that rooms are ready for new admissions
Greet newly admitted residents upon admission. Escort them to their rooms as necessary
Participate in the orientation of new residents/family members to the facility
Make rounds with physicians as necessary
Requisition and arrange for diagnostic and therapeutic services, as ordered by the physician, and in accordance with our established procedures
Consult with the resident's physician in providing the resident's care, treatment, rehabilitation, etc., as necessary
Review the resident's chart for specific treatments, medication orders, diets, etc., as necessary
Implement and maintain established nursing objectives and standards
Make periodic checks to ensure that prescribed treatments are being properly administered by certified nursing assistants and to evaluate the resident's physical and emotional status
Ensure that direct nursing care be provided by a licensed nurse, a certified nursing assistant, and/or a nurse aide trainee qualified to perform the procedure
Cooperate with and coordinate social and activity programs with nursing service schedules
Notify the resident's attending physician when the resident is involved in an accident or incident
Notify the resident's attending physician and next-of-kin when there is a change in the resident's condition
Carry out restorative and rehabilitative programs, to include self-help and care
Inspect the nursing service treatment areas daily to ensure that they are maintained in a clean and safe manner
Administer professional services such as; catheterization, tube feedings, suction, applying and changing dressings/bandages, packs, colostomy, and drainage bags, taking blood, giving massages and range of motion exercises, care for the dead/dying, etc., as required
Use restraints when necessary and in accordance with established policies and procedures
Obtain sputum, urine and other specimens for lab tests as ordered
Take and record TPRs, blood pressures, etc., as necessary
Monitor seriously ill residents as necessary
Check foods brought into the facility by the resident's family/visitors to ensure that it is within the resident's dietary allowances
Report problem areas to the Nurse Supervisor and Dietary Supervisor
Ensure that personnel providing direct care to residents are providing such care in accordance with the resident's care plan and wishes
Ensure that residents who are unable to call for help are checked frequently
Meet with residents, and/or family members, as necessary
Report problem areas to the Nurse Supervisor
Admit, transfer and discharge residents as necessary
Assist in arranging transportation for discharged residents as necessary
Ensure that discharged residents are escorted to the pick-up area
Inform family members of the death of the resident
Call funeral homes when requested by the family. Ensure that established post- mortem procedures are followed
Staff Development:
Participate in developing, planning, conducting, and scheduling in-service training classes that provide instructions on "how to do the job," and ensure awell-educated nursing service department
Implement 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 duties
Assist in standardizing the methods in which work will be accomplished
Assist in training department personnel in identifying tasks that involve potential exposure to blood/body fluids
Assist the Director in planning clinical supervision for nurse aide trainees
Attend and participate in outside training programs
Attend and participate in annual facility in-service training programs as scheduled (e.g., OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, Infection Control, etc.)
Attend and participate in advance directive in-service training programs for the staff and community
Attend and participate in continuing education programs designed to keep you abreast of changes in your profession, as well as to maintain your license on a current status
Working Conditions:
Works in office area(s) as well as throughout the nursing service area (i.e., drug rooms, nurses' stations, resident rooms, etc.)
Moves intermittently during working hours
Is subject to frequent interruptions
Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances
Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors
Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department directors
Works beyond normal working hours, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary
Is subject to call back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.)
Attends and participates in continuing educational programs
Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday, as well as to reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants
Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses
May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals
Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, support departments, etc., to adequately plan for the residents' needs
Education:
Must possess, as a minimum, a Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university, or be a graduate of an approved LPN/L.VN program
Specific Requirements:
Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as an RN or LPN/LVN in this state
Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language
Must demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age-related needs of the residents served
Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of team work and team concept
Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action
Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public
Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to nursing care facilities
Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel
Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures, etc., that are necessary for providing quality care
Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents
Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices
Must be able to relate information concerning a resident's condition
Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace
Physical and Sensory Requirements (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)
Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday
Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner
Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position
Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met
Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies
Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which include a medical and physical examination
Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility
Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet
May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations