Registered Nurse (RNs)

Job Summary: A Registered Nurse (RN) is a health care professional skilled in all phases of the nursing process. He/she is adaptable to the needs of the individual and family during health and illness and has the ability to prioritize. The RN assesses, plans, implements and evaluates daily resident care and is responsible for the direction of personnel assigned to him/her.

Qualifications:

1. Be of legal working age
2. Be able to read and follow written directions
3. Be able to communicate with residents and co-workers in English
4. Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general
5. Work overtime is necessary
6. Must possess a general knowledge and understanding of state and federal laws as they pertain to long term care
7. Graduate of an accredited school of nursing
8. Current license in good standing in the state in which the facility is located

Responsibilities:

1. Assessments
   1. Completes the nursing admission assessment on admission or assigned residents per procedure utilizing proper techniques, tools and history
   2. Utilizes the admission assessment for information in caring for each resident as assigned
   3. Makes appropriate situational decisions with information received from assessments
      1. Notifies and consults with physicians and supervisors
      2. Makes appropriate referrals or social service contacts
      3. Consults with other departments as required or needed

1. Planning
   1. Initiates a nursing care plan on each assigned admission based on nursing assessments and identification of nursing problems
   2. Reviews physician orders on assigned residents prior to care and requests physician’s orders when appropriate to plan resident’s care
   3. Encourages participation of residents/families in plans of care
   4. Integrates therapeutic plans of care in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team
2. Implementation
   1. Executes procedures consistent with interdisciplinary nursing care plans, the regulatory manual and the Petersen Health Care Policy and Procedures Manuals that are within the scope of the role of the RN
   2. Consistently demonstrates proficiency in skills applicable to nursing
   3. Provides for the safety and security needs of assigned residents through:
      1. Appropriate explanations
      2. Appropriate use of restraints
      3. Maintenance of communication devices (nurse call lights, TV, telephone, etc.), proper equipment, utensils, transportation, total body hygiene, and basic comfort care measures including pain control
   4. Utilizes all techniques of infection control appropriately: hand washing, changing dressings, giving injections, applying isolation precautions
   5. Provides for the psycho-social needs of residents by :
      1. Anticipating fears, worries, changes in life style
      2. Listening to and hearing resident/family anxieties and providing forum for venting or reducing anxieties; providing diversion consistent with interests and condition of resident
   6. Coordinated development of a realistic comprehensive resident/family education plan in conjunction with the interdisciplinary team

1. Evaluation
   1. Reviews plans of care of assigned residents on a day-to-day basis updating as necessary when outcomes cannot e realized or problems
2. Communication Skills
   1. Obtains pertinent data in an objective and professional manner by:
      1. Interviewing residents/families in a sensitive fact finding way
      2. Seeking information from physicians appropriately
   2. Communicates pertinent information and seeks assistance regarding resident care throughout the tour of duty and at change of shift
   3. Articulates and utilizes factual data for problem solving in resident/family and/or interdepartmental staff-related conflicts in a way that demonstrates a positive and cooperative manner
   4. Contributes in a constructive manner in staff meetings and Resident Care Conferences
   5. Consistently communicates in a manner that demonstrates a positive and cooperative attitude
   6. Documents clearly and completely the various aspects of the nursing process on medical records and other appropriate forms
   7. Utilizes appropriate and professional body language
   8. Demonstrates receptively through active listening
3. Leadership
   1. Performs responsibilities in a self-directed and a cooperative manner. Uses time constructively and organizes assignments for maximum productivity
   2. Participates in the orientation of other nursing staff. Acts as a role model to these
   3. Manages charge responsibilities of nursing unit whenever assigned and assumes responsibility for the delivery of care to all resident on the unit
   4. Attends staff meetings and in-services on a regular basis
   5. Initiates constructive suggestions to peers in the interest to improve the system for delivery of nursing care or individualize resident care
   6. Monitors the LPN in performance of IV therapy
   7. Requests and accepts constructive criticism regarding own nursing judgment or actions
   8. Identifies and utilizes appropriate lines of authority within the organizational structure
   9. Manages conflict and frustration in a positive and constructive manner
4. Role Development
   1. Demonstrates support of the philosophy of the nursing department by adhering to policies, procedures and established standards of nursing practice
   2. Maintains current knowledge in the present nursing practice area, i.e. attendance at ongoing educational programs and continuing education
   3. Demonstrates responsibility for own standards of practice
      1. Reports to work as scheduled and on time
      2. Adheres to facility policy regarding absenteeism
      3. Avoids work-related injuries through the application of proper practice techniques
   4. Assumes responsibility for personal appearance by adhering to the Petersen Health Care dress code
   5. Demonstrates respect for resident’s rights by:
      1. Maintaining strict confidentiality of resident’s information
      2. Responding to their right to information
      3. Acting as a resident advocate
      4. Providing for their privacy during care
   6. Develops a rapport with peer and co-workers that is conductive to effective resident care
   7. Integrates cost effective measures into nursing practices:
      1. Processes appropriate resident charges
      2. Accepts need to float
      3. Uses supplies efficiently
      4. Is willing to work in a team approach to accomplish unit productivity goals
5. Change Process
   1. Identifies areas appropriate for change in a manner that demonstrate a positive attitude
   2. Facilitates change process in a manner that demonstrate a positive attitude
   3. Adapts to change brought about by external and internal force in a cooperative and mature way

Physical Requirements:

1. Lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds
2. Carry objects weighting up to 25 pounds
3. Push or pull objects weighing up to 50 pounds
4. Stooping and bending frequently throughout the day
5. Reaching and grasping with arms and hands, including reaching above shoulder level
6. Must be able to cope with stressful situations Supervised by the Director of Nursing

Special Notes of Interest

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be requires to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or is an essential function of this position.