Description

GENERAL SUMMARY: Assures that all medical needs are met in accordance with proper procedures set forth by the Director of Nursing and standards of care.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITESincludes the following.Other duties may be assigned.

Performs general nursing duties as required including routine assessments & documentation.

Proper administration of all medications. These medications shall be administered in accordance with orders of physician and shall be in accordance with proper procedures developed by Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee.

Assume responsibility for the ordering and maintaining of adequate supply of Medication for each resident and assuring that such medications are correct and adequately stored.

Assume responsibility that all treatments such as enemas, irrigations, skin care, etc. be accomplished with proper procedures.

Administer any necessary treatments to injuries as a result of incidents/accidents both to clients and employees.

Notify physician if treatment other than observation is warranted. Submit accident reports immediately to the Nursing Office. Assume the responsibility for documenting in nursing notes and inputting on computerized system the circumstances of such incident/accidents and any symptoms of injury and the treatments ordered. Assume the responsibility of notification of guardian and the Regional Office of Public Health if appropriate.

Responsible for special diet changes, monitoring weight gain or loss, and recommend changes to physician when needed. This shall be done in cooperation with dietary department.

Assume the responsibility of assuring that each resident’s chart is kept current, dated, and signed completely legible and available at all times.

Assume the responsibility to insure that all immunizations, records, lab work, physical exams, consultation notes, and all required forms are in place with current dates and signatures.

Participate in IDT staffings offering input and opinion and establishing realistic short-term goals and appropriate approaches to accomplish these goals. Participate as a member of the Interdisciplinary team in formulating and developing health care plans which can be incorporated in the overall plan of care for each resident.

Be aware and conscientious in reporting any potential health hazards, which affects the safety of the residents or employees.

Report any symptoms of illness or injury to client’s physician if treatment other than observation is warranted. Assure guardian is notified if necessary and assume responsibility for appointments with attending and consulting physicians and other type medical or dental services. Assure Social Service Department is notified to receive release of information and etc.

Assist other nursing staff as needed and serve as charge nurse when assigned.

Report any incident of suspected abuse or neglect immediately to member(s) of the Internal Review Committee.

Responsible for submitting a shift report to the Nursing Office which indicates those clients who have had significant change in condition, change in physician’s orders, accidents/incidents, and any other information needed to assure continuity of care.

Continuously endeavor to improve the health and welfare of each resident. To suggest and initiate, with medical approval, any techniques which will strengthen potential skills and maintain existing skills, and lastly, foster the human dignity and personal worth of each resident and enhance the coping capacity of the resident and family.

Maintain required CEU’s.

Respond to emergency calls & assist as needed.

Certify as Medication Trainer for Group Homes.

JOB DUTIES FOR CHARGE NURSE:

Assure continuity of care from shift to shift.

Function as primary nurse for the buildings assigned.

Monitor fax machine for orders & client information (delegate to appropriate nurse).

Review with agency nurses all orders written and client issues.

Coordinate MD calls.

Respond to emergency calls & assist as needed.

Delegate group home & Hardin apartment calls to the appropriate nursing staff. Assist group home nurse when needed.

Assist with midnight DSP staffing as needed. Monitor nursing schedule/call-offs and make appropriate schedule changes.

Check keys, radios, pulse ox machine and controlled substance log at the beginning and end of each shift as appropriate.

Follow up with management issues as assigned. Assist AOD when requested.

Follow policy regarding Abuse & Neglect investigations.

Monitor shift duties:

1. Evenings: BM & breast check logs, follow-up on DT report.
2. Midnights: emergency equipment check, Accu-check monitor,
3. checking of orders.
4. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education:

Registered nurse, graduate of accredited school of nursing, current and valid Illinois license, and at least one year experience with the developmentally disabled preferred.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or report form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in non-standardized situations. Able to use tangible and intangible information to come to a result.

Technology Skills:

Utilizes computer to accomplish job tasks. Computer literacy essential in word processing, spreadsheet applications, and databases. Knowledge of Outlook or similar program.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, squat, crawl, and reach. Employee will occasionally use a mechanical lift, climb stairs and ramps. The employee will frequently and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. From time to time, employee may be required to work long hours. The employee is frequently required to use both hands, push/pull, temp changes use sharp objects, and talk. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. On occasion, noise level may be very loud. On occasion the work environment may be cold and hot.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and peripheral vision. Specific hearing abilities required by this job include the ability to hear when communicating with employees and using a phone line.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so assigned.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as requested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws.

Certain job functions described herein may be subject to possible modification in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.