LPN

JOB DESCRIPTION: L.P.N./Charge Nurse

FACILITY:

DEPARTMENTAL NAME: Nursing

UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS CATEGORY 1, 2 & 3 APPLY

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: DIRECTOR OF NURSING

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PURPOSE:

The primary purpose of your job position is to provide direct nursing care to the residents and to supervise the day to day nursing activities of your assigned unit. Such supervision must be in accordance with current Federal, State, and local standards, guidelines and regulations that govern the Long-term care facility, as well as our established policies and procedures, and as may be directed by the Director of Nursing Services, to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY

As Charge Nurse you are delegated the administrative Authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary to carry out your assigned duties.

JOB FUNCTIONS

Every effort has been make to made your job description as complete as possible. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you are required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is a logical assignment to this position.

MAJOR JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct the day to day functions of the nursing activities in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long term care facility.

Ensure that the nursing services Policies and Procedures Manual is followed by nursing personnel, and that it reflects the day-to-day nursing care procedures used by this facility at all times.

Interpret the department's policies and procedures to employees, residents, visitors, government agencies, etc.

Ensure that nursing personnel are following their prospective job descriptions.

Ensure that reference materials are maintained at the nurses station and are current.

Periodically review the resident's written discharge plan. Participate in the updating of this plan as necessary.

Admit, transfer and discharge residents as required.

Complete accident/incident reports as necessary.

Assume the authority, responsibility and accountability of the directing of the unit assigned.

Make necessary written and oral reports/recommendations to the Director of Nursing as required concerning personnel.

Inspect storage rooms, work rooms, utility closets, medicine rooms, patient rooms, etc. for upkeep and supply control and report any deficiencies immediately.

Assist the Infection Control Committee in identifying routine and job related maintenance functions to ensure that Universal Precautions tasks are properly taken of.

Review complaints and other grievances from personnel and make changes as you deem necessary.

Meet with personnel on a regular basis concerning the operation of your assigned area. Assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or the improvement of services.

PERSONNEL FUNCTIONS

Assure that an adequate number of appropriate trained personnel are on duty at all times to meet the needs of your assigned area by developing work assignments and assisting staff in completing and performing such tasks.

Counsel/discipline personnel as may become necessary.

Ensure that disciplinary action is administered fairly and without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, religion, handicap, or marital status.

Develop and maintain a good working rapport with inter-departmental personnel, as well as other departments within the facility to assure that nursing services and activities can be adequately maintained to

meet the need of the residents.

Create and maintain an atmosphere of warnth, personal interest, and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the unit.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

Attend and participate in workshops, seminars, etc. to keep abreast of current changes in the long term care field as well as to maintain a good technical skill status.

Assist in setting standards for department personnel by carrying yourself in the proper manner and in providing effective leadership and supervisory principles to all.

SAFETY AND SANITATION

Assure that facility personnel, residents, visitors, etc. follow established safety regulations, to include fire protection/prevention, smoking regulations, infection control.

Report all incidents and accidents immediately.

Correct all unsafe and hazardous conditions and equipment immediately.

Be prepared to handle emergencies as they come up (i.e. that is rescheduling personnel's work schedules, etc.) and assuring that all such situations are handled in a timely manner.

Make sure that all appropriate protective devices/clothing is on hand for handling infectious waste and or body/blood fluids.

Ensure that all work services areas on your unit aare maintained in a clean and sanitary manner, such as nurses stations, medicine preparation rooms, etc.

Monitor your personnel to assure that they are following established protection and prevention programs by inspecting work areas and use of equipment.

Assure that personnel follow established depatmental policies and procedures, including appropriate dress codes, and all safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies at all times.

Ensure that nursing personnel participate in and conduct all fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner.

Participate in the development, implementation and maintenance of the infection control and universal precautions to assure that a sanitary environment is maintained at all times and that aseptic and isolation techniques are followed by personnel.

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLY FUNCTIONS

Assure that an adequate amount of supplies and equipment are on hand to meet the day-to-day needs of the department. Keep Director of Nursing Services informed of such needs.

Make periodic rounds of your assigned area to ensure that necessary equipment and supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste and that all equipment is operated in a safe and efficient manner.

RESIDENTS RIGHTS FUNCTIONS

Ensure that nursing personnel are knowledgeable of the residents rights and responsibilities.

Maintain confidentiality of all resident information.

Assure that residents property and personal rights are followed by your personnel at all times, including assuring that personnel knock before entering the residents room.

Review grievances and make changes as necessary. If necessary, make oral/written reports to the Director of Nursing.

Monitor nursing care to assure that residents are treated fairly, with kindness, dignity and respect.

Inform personnel of new admissions, their expected time of arrival, room assignments, etc.

Ensure that rooms are ready for new admissions and transfers to your units.

Greet newly admitted/transferred residents, introduce to staff and orientate to unit, meal times, activities, etc.

Encourage attending physicians to record and sign progress notes, physicians orders, etc. on a timely basis and in accordance with current regulations.

Make daily resident visits to observe and evaluate the residents physical & emotional status.

Monitor medications passes and treatment schedules to assure that medications are being administered as ordered and that treatments are provided as scheduled.

Provide direct nursing care as necessary and assist and instruct staff.

Report problem areas to the DON. Assist in developing and implementing corrective action.

Keep the DON informed of status of residents and other related matters through written reports.

Meet with residents and/or family members as necessary. Report problem areas to the DON.

Assist in arranging transportation for outside visits and discharged residents.

Consult with the residents physician in planning resident care, treatment, rehabilitation, etc.

Notify the residents physician and responsible party when there is a change in residents condition or unusual incident.

Call funeral homes when requested by the facility and/or physician or by facility policies.

Authorize the use of restraints when necessary and in accordance with our facilities policies and procedures.

Make independent decisions concerning nursing care.

Start IV's, obtain sputum, urine and other lab tests as ordered.

Take vital signs as necessary.

Admit, transfer and discharge residents as necessary.

Inform family members of residents death when the physician is not available or is unable to reach them in a timely manner.

CARE PLAN AND ASSESSMENT FUNCTIONS

Participate in the comprehensive assessment of the nursing needs of each resident in your assigned area.

Participate in the development of the care plan.

Review the residents care plan for appropriate resident goals, problems, approaches and revisions based on nursing needs.

Ensure that all personnel involved in providing care to the resident are aware of the care plan and that the care plans are used in administering daily care to the resident.

Document in the nurses' notes appropriate information to indicate that the plan of care is being followed.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Works in well lighted/ventilated areas such as, medication rooms, nurses' stations, resident rooms, etc.

Sits, stands, bends, lifts and moves intermittently during working hours.

Is subject to frequent interruptions.

Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies, etc.

Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors.

Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department supervisors.

Is willing to work beyond normal working hours, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.

Is at risk to fall.

Is subject to exposure to infectious waste and diseases, including Hep B and AIDS.

Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, support departments, etc., to adequately plan for the residents' needs.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be, at a minimum,a graduate or Licensed Practical Nurse of this state.

I.V. certification preferred.

Must possess a current, unencumbered license to practice as an L.P.N in this state.

Must be able to write and speak the English language in an understandable manner.

Must possess the ability to make independent decision when circumstances warrant such action.

Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies and the general public.

Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to long-term care.

Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with professional and non-professional personnel.

Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies, and procedures, etc., that are necessary for providing quality care.

Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents, family and/or staff member.

Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to move intermittently throughout the work day.

Must be able to cope with mental and emotional stress of the position.

Must be able to see and hear, or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel and support agencies.

Must be in good general health and demonstrate enotional stability.

Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times hostile people within the facility.

Must be able to lift and transfer a minimum of 50 pounds.

EXPERIENCE

Knowledgeable in rehabilitative and restorative practices.