JOB TITLE: RN Charge Nurse
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
DEPARTMENT: Senior Living Center
RATE: $36.00 - $44.08 per hour
Status: Part-Time
Shift: Night
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POSITION SUMMARY:
Is responsible for moment-by-moment care of residents of the unit. Is alert to changes in resident condition, keeping family, physician, and management staff of the unit apprised of concerns. Supervises nurse aides and medication aides, providing direction and correction as needed, and informing management staff of concerns. Must manage emergency situations with residents.
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ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
1. Must act as a working supervisor, responsible for the nursing service on his/her shift, and create and maintain a cheerful home-like atmosphere.
2. Arrive on duty early enough to receive complete report from previous shift, read 24 hr report sheet, check Med Administration Record and Treatment sheets as needed.
3. Make assignments for nurse aides and medication aides for the shift.
4. Every shift, receive report from off-going Charge Nurse, making note of ill residents and items needing follow-up. Share important information with co-workers and delegate any special tasks to co-workers during report.
5. Count narcotics with off-going shift and sign for the correct count. If count incorrect, inform nurse manager or other management staff.
6. Accept narcotic keys from off-going Charge Nurse. Responsible to keep narcotic keys on their person at all times.
7. Perform hi/low on accucheck machine for the shift and document results.
8. Make rounds with physician. Call physician at any significant change in condition, or any accident of a resident. Notify physician on any new admission for orders and for admission physical if needed. Assist with physical or other treatments provided by the physician. Seek RN or management staff for instructions/supervision if unfamiliar with treatment/medication.
9. Maintain adequate documentation in each resident’s chart, to include description of significant change of condition, calls to physician and physician response, accidents which have occurred, noting new orders and placing orders in appropriate places (diet requisition, ordering med/treatment supplies, placing new orders on treatment/MAR sheets, recording new order on 24 hr report sheet, etc.), noting significant behavior deviations of resident, completing documentation as needed to support MDS completion and DAVE requirements. Note absence of any resident from the facility. Document and note orders of new admission residents per facility protocol.
10. In the event of death notify the physician, the family, the facility Administrator, and the funeral home of resident/family choice. Prepare the body and secure undertaker signature prior to body being removed from facility.
11. See that all work assigned to shift is completed or that uncompleted work is reported to the oncoming shift with reasonable explanation of why not completed.
12. Responsible for nurturing a cooperative, positive atmosphere among staff. Coordinate personnel and residents for the most efficient conditions. Consult with Nurse Manager or Director of Nursing if problems occur.
13. Daily inspection of overall environment—resident rooms, utility rooms, bathrooms, storage areas, etc.
14. Maintain cordiality toward visitors at the facility. Ensure privacy for visitation.
15. Assist in any capacity needed. Arrange to overlap on workloads left unavoidably by preceding shift in an emergency. Contact Nurse Manager or DON for assist or instruction in any area needed.
16. Chart behaviors each shift in the Psychotropic Drug Book.
17. Note any hazards or maintenance problems on 24 hr report sheet and on maintenance book for corrections.
18. Attend all in-service classes and follow up on all procedures and class instructions.
19. Give all injectable medications, narcotics as ordered by the physician, and document.
20. Perform accuchecks as ordered, document results and notify physician of significant results.
21. Supervise in the dining room and record % of foods eaten each meal by each resident.
22. Direct nursing staff in event of a fire.
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EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
Must be a graduate of a state-approved RN or LPN program and hold a current RN or LPN license for the state of Kansas. Experience as a Charge Nurse in long term care setting preferred. Must be well versed in all basic nursing procedures, have ability to supervise and teach, assist and promote positive attitudes among co-workers. Must know when to notify supervisor of concerns, either resident- or staff-related concerns. Must be of excellent character, thoroughly trustworthy and reliable. Must have acceptable KBI record check.
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SKILLS:
Ability to communicate with co-workers, supervisors, residents, and physicians, be able to supervise aides, to teach and direct as needed. Must have ability to assess resident condition, knows when to report resident concerns to physician, family, supervisor, and to be able to recognize medical and psychiatric emergencies. Must be able to learn facility policies and protocols and be willing and able to apply these to the work setting, and to expect co-workers to do the same. Working knowledge of state and federal regulations pertaining to long term care.
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SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reports to the Nurse Manager, Director of Nursing, or facility Administrator, or RN designated to act in management capacity.
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EQUIPMENT TO BE USED:
24 hour report sheet, daily assignment sheet, resident’s individual files, Psychotropic Drug book, Accucheck machine/supplies, Narcotic keys/box/narcotics to be administered, vital signs equipment, telephone, MAR and Treatment sheets.
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TYPICAL PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS:
Must be physically capable of being on feet much of an 8 hr shift, to think clearly and manage a large amount of information quickly, prioritizing/handling resident/staff concerns in order of importance. Must be able to mentally manage several issues at a time and sort them, communicate them effectively. Can be a fast paced environment, with stimuli from every direction, and the Charge Nurse must have ability to triage and manage all information effectively.
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WORKING CONDITIONS:
The employee works in an environment with biological, chemical and mechanical hazards. The employer will provide appropriate training, protective equipment and engineering controls for the protection and safety of the employee. As a condition of the employment the employee is required to abide by all risk management regulations including the proper use of protective devices and procedures.