RN

Job Objectives   
     
The staff nurse works under the direction of the Charge Nurse ensuring that the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the residents are met.  May be assigned duties as Charge Nurse.   
     
Job Standards 
     
1.      Must be an R.N. or L.P.N. licensed to practice nursing in the State of Maryland.
2.      Previous experience in gerontological nursing preferred.   
3.      Sincere interest in working with the elderly; knowledge and understanding of the aging process and the aged.
4.      Able to read, write, speak and understand English.   
5.      Possess current CPR certification.   
6.      Demonstrate competence in supervisory and leadership skills.   
     
Job Functions  (* connotes function essential to job)   
     
* 1.      Receive/review report when coming on duty and take follow-up action as necessary.
* 2.      Conduct Resident Rounds regularly during assigned tour of duty and identify problems and situations that require intervention.  Initiate corrective action as necessary. Report concerns identified and corrective action taken to DON.
*3.      Accept assigned duties in a cooperative manner.     
* 4.      Come to work as scheduled and consistently demonstrate dependability and punctuality.
* 5.      Come to work in clean, neat uniform and consistently present a professional appearance.
* 6.      Provide direct patient care; performing all nursing care procedures as required.
* 7.      Analyze nursing care needs of residents and write appropriate directives enabling staff to provide personalized nursing care.
* 8.      See that physician's orders are carried out promptly and accurately; verify orders and directives when communication is not clear.  Notify physician and family of any changes in the status of residents.
* 9.      Keep Assistant Director of Nursing informed of unit activity, residents' condition, and personnel issues.  Obtain assistance as necessary in solving clinical problems.
*10.      Maintain medicine room and drug carts in satisfactory manner.

*11.      Perform duties of Charge Nurse if assigned:    
          a.      Assume responsibility for total resident care and management of assigned area.  Coordinate, direct and supervise nursing activities in assigned area.  Delegate responsibilities within the scope of staff abilities and Pickersgill policies.
          b.      Promote an environment in which the resident care team can work cooperatively and is conducive to the well-being of the residents.
          c.      Promote staff development through incidental teaching and various educational programs.  Assist in identifying training needs of personnel.  Participate in orientation process.
          d.      Conduct staff meetings, keeping the Assistant Director of Nursing informed of issues, problems, etc.
          e.     Evaluate performance of staff, utilizing proper forms, in a timely manner.
          f.      Make random and planned observation of care rendered and performance of staff.  See that staff document care promptly and accurately.
*12.      Participate in nursing committees and meetings. Update knowledge and skills by participation in seminars, workshops, and other continuing education activities.
*13.      Work cooperatively and tactfully with residents, staff, family, Administration, DN, AND, and consultants.
*14.      All treatments to be performed by the Nurses as ordered by the Physician.

*15. Other duties as assigned.

Work Setting/Environment    
The Staff Nurse works inside the home where there is frequent exposure to blood, body tissues and other potentially infectious fluids.  There is some exposure to loud and unpleasant noise, dust and chemicals.  May be subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members or visitors.  Extensive contact with residents & staff.   
     
Equipment Used   
     
Telephone, intercom, Hoyer lift, adjustable beds, wheelchairs.
     
Physical Requirements
1.      Able to communicate and respond clearly on telephone.   
2.      Able to read care plans, charts, directions, labels and assess residents.
3.      Able to discern colors in fire panel, warning labels and lights and respond to emergency procedure instructions.
4.      Able to lift, transfer, feed and bath residents and make beds under short staffed situations and emergencies.    
5.    Able to maintain a specified level of care for between 8-32 people (numbers of residents vary per assignment).        6.    The ability to physically transfer, lift, or assist residents whose average weight is 160 pounds.
7.    Able to push residents in wheelchairs with total weight of 250 pounds throughout the building.
8.    Able to walk, stoop, twist, bend and squat to perform essential job functions #1, 3, 4, 5, & 15.
9.     Able to respond to resident's spoken and unspoken needs, emergency procedure instructions and to use the intercom.
10.    Able to deal with combative resident.

Mental Requirements
1.      Able to cope with stressful situations.   
2.      Able to handle multiple, changing priorities.   
3.      Able to use sound judgement and make independent decisions in emergency situations.
4.      Able to use imaginative approaches in care of aged.
     
 Hours of Work
      
 Full Time - 40 hours per week (including every other weekend).         
 Part Time - as assigned (including every other weekend).
 On call     - as needed.
 Weekends - as required.
 May be requested to stay beyond scheduled shift in an emergency.

Refer to attached “Major Duties and Responsibilities” for annual evaluation
    
 Employee Responsibility in an Emergency:   
 Able to respond to fire system and follow emergency procedures.  All employees need to respond to emergency situations immediately and capably for the safety of the residents and staff.  Must be able to walk stairs to evacuate residents.