Charge Nurse / Licensed Practical Nurse

• To provide nursing care to the residents as prescribed by the physician, and in accordance with established facility protocol, local, state and federal regulations.
• To lead and/or direct licensed, certified and non-professional staff in the delivery of direct resident care.

Accountability: Assistant Director of Nursing, Director of Nursing

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise, evaluate and discipline the overall performance of the nursing staff.
• Schedule job assignments and duties.
• Be knowledgeable about and promote resident rights.
• Monitor charts for errors, physicals, Code Status, etc.
• Check the Twenty Four Hour Report daily in order to be aware of changes in the residents’ conditions and/or plan of treatment.
• Monitor weights and follow up with notification of family and physician.
• Coordinate, prepare for and assist with new admissions, transfers, and discharges.
• Assist on the floor, as needed.
• Make daily rounds to all resident care areas in order to observe nursing staff as they perform assigned duties in accordance with established facility protocol.
• Communicate with residents, family members, other disciplines and health care professionals regarding the status of the resident.
• Monitor the environment and care practices of personnel in order to ensure compliance with established fire, disaster, safety, Infection Control and Blood-borne Pathogen programs.
• Assist the overall status of the residents and document in the medical record.
• Assist with the presentation of in-service training programs for facility staff.
• Prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation in the elderly.
• Delegate duties to nursing staff.
• Lead and monitor licensed personnel and other professional and non-professional staff in the delivery of resident care.
• Become a participating facility team member with the residents as first priority.
• Promote a safe, clean environment in which the residents may live.
• Any other duties and responsibilities, as requested by the Director of Nursing.
• Update resident care lists as needed.
• Make rounds with physician.
• Evaluate or assist with the evaluations of the nursing staff.
• Report occupational exposure in accordance with established facility protocol.
• Handle acute situations and assist nurses as needed with the situation.
• Assist with developing and implementing written care plans for individual residents.
• Assist with M.D.S.+ and Total Care Plan meetings, as indicated.
• Monitor the residents’ activity and provide nursing care in accordance with physician orders, care plans, local, state and federal regulations, as well as established facility protocol.
• Review lab orders and follow up on lab results.
• Check M.A.R. daily.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Twist, bend, stoop, kneel and squat
• Lift
• Reach – at and below shoulder height
• Ability to comprehend and follow instructions
• Hold/handle
• Ability to read and write legibly
• Grasp and handle – pens, paperwork and small equipment
• Sit, stand and walk
• Fine hand motor coordination
• Push/pull
• Carry

COGNITIVE AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Talking: Communicating with residents, families, physicians, visitors and staff

Hearing: Taking instructions from the Administrator, To respond to resident complaints and requests, To respond appropriately to disaster instructions and pages

Sight: For performing job effectively and correctly

Smell: For accurate detection and maintenance of facility odors

Touch: In order to detect changes in temperature

LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS:

Must be a Registered Nurse (R.N.) or Licensed Practical Nurse (L.P.N.) currently licensed and in good standing with the Board of Nursing in the State in which the facility is located.

SUMMARY OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE:

Tasks and procedures performed by the employee involve risks classified by C.D.C. as Category I. (Direct contact with blood or other bodily fluids to which universal precautions apply.)

Other Considerations and Requirements:

Must be able to tolerate a high pace as typical for a nursing facility. Must be able to take and give instructions well and enjoy working with the elderly. Although employee is required to sit for prolonged periods of time, he/she must also be able to tolerate prolonged standing and walking.