Job Description for RN/LVN Charge Nurse

Below are the key qualifications and responsibilities for this position.

Qualifications

• Graduate of a state-approved school of vocational or professional nursing.
• Successfully completed the state board of registration or licensure and hold a current state license as a registered nurse or licensed vocational nurse.
• Willing and able to assume charge of personnel assigned to their area.

Job Summary

Responsible for supervision of total nursing activities on their station during a shift. Organize and assign all jobs to be done on the tour of duty so that the workload is evenly distributed among employees based on staff qualifications, size, and physical layout of the facility.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for total nursing care of residents in their assigned unit during the shift.
• Able to recognize significant changes in resident condition and take necessary action.
• Have working knowledge of all residents under their care.
• Assign aides to patients as needed, spelling out break times and special duties to be completed.
• Ensure parental, intramuscular, subcutaneous injections are administered in accordance with doctor's orders.
• Make meaningful rounds of all patients utilizing Resident Assessment and Comprehensive Care Plan.
• Ensure individual Resident Assessment and Comprehensive Care Plan is followed to meet resident needs according to generally accepted nursing practices in the State of Texas.
• Assist in writing and updating the Resident Assessment and Comprehensive Care Plan as patient condition changes, with help of Nursing Director, Activities Director, Food Service Supervisor, and designated nurse.
• Recommend changes needed in staff regarding number of aides and type of work performed.
• Recommend conference with director as needed and participate in staff meetings to keep staff performing at optimum level.
• Administer or supervise all treatments prescribed by physician, example: decubitus care, Foley catheter care, hot and cold compresses, etc.
• Make rounds with physician and record visits in chart.
• Transcribe all physician orders.
• Personally receive or place all calls to physician.
• Administer or supervise preparation and administration of prescribed medications.
• Order all new medication.
• Give initial doses of all new medications and chart same dose.
• If medication aide is present, be aware of limitations and do not allow or encourage him/her to exceed same.
• Directs charting on shift and makes regular detailed evaluation of all residents' charting at least monthly so chart reflects progress and condition of resident at all times.
• Responsible for approving and signing each chart when observations are made.
• Aware of legal implications if physician orders are not carried out correctly.
• Sensitive to residents' families and respond in an appropriate professional manner as situation requires.
• Know when situation cannot be handled and willing to ask for help and know who to ask.
• Abide by policies of facility and ensure employees under their supervision do the same.
• Supervise serving of prescribed diets and fluid intake (it is acceptable to document only deviations from normal) and report persistent unresolved problems to physician and Director of Nursing.
• Ensure all medications and treatments are charted after the fact by person administering medication or completing treatment on their assigned shift.
• Supervise preparation of incident and accident reports.
• Ensure copy of medical records and discharge information is forwarded with transfer of residents in accordance with facility Transfer and Discharge policy.
• Ensure drugs covered by Controlled Substance Act are verified by inventory.
• Detect and correct situations that have high probability of causing accidents or injuries to residents.
• Ensure continuing promotion of resident's physical and emotional health by assisting them regarding personal medical care. If resident refuses to follow instructions, nurse is responsible for documenting this refusal in resident's chart.

Job Knowledge

• Knowledge of procedures and techniques necessary to administer medication and treatment as prescribed by physician.
• Knowledge of medications and possible side effects.
• Knowledge of facility's policies and procedures and how to carry these through.
• Knowledge of aging and awareness of need for meaningful intervention.
• Knowledge of state and federal requirements.

Special Demands

• Ability to work well with others and overlook personal preferences where good of all is concerned.
• Use of initiative and good judgment.
• Awareness of needs and desires of others.