Staff Nurse Job Description

Cedar Hill Continuing Care Community



Job Description

Staff Nurse

Position Summary

Under the direction of the DNS & ADNS, administers and documents medications and treatments per physician’s orders, assists nursing assistants with care as necessary and provides clinical supervision., follows established standards of nursing practices, helps implement facility policies and assessment and care plans.  In the absence of Nurse Manager, assumes charge of the nursing unit.

Qualifications

Education:  Graduation from an accredited school of nursing

Licensure:  Current license in State of Vermont

Experience: One year in geriatrics and long term care preferred

Degree of Supervision:  minimal

Physical Requirements

• Lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling up to 35lbs. on occasion while administering care to resident etc.
• Manual and finger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination
• May have some exposure to communicable diseases
• Stooping, kneeling, and/or crouching daily in delivery of resident care, starting I.V.s, obtaining medications/equipment from drawers etc.
• Standing and walking more than 5 hours per day in administering resident care in multiple rooms
• Reaching, grasping, fingering, and/or feeling 5 or more hours per day in administering resident care, i.e.: operating various resident care equipment, administering medication, etc
• Visual acuity in order to correctly distinguish skin tone variations, evidence of IV infiltration, infection, also to read blood pressure gauges, etc
• Audio acuity in order to correctly distinguish various body sounds, i.e. respirations, arrhythmias, bowel sounds, also to discern sounds made by various types of machinery or equipment, which would indicate dangerous or improper operation

Special Requirements

• Maintains accountability for own behavior as well as those staff members being supervised
• Makes decisions based upon knowledge, skill, and use of nursing process
• Regulates own practice according to accepted Standards of Nursing Practice and Professional Code of Ethics
• Accepts Cedar Hill Nursing Home Mission Statement

Dress Code

Must be well groomed and dressed professionally at all times

Responsible to

Director of Nursing, ADNS

Position Expectations

A.  Follows established standards of nursing practice and helps implement Federal, State, and facility policies and procedures

1. Assists in interpreting existing policies and procedures to nursing assistants, restorative nursing assistants, residents, families and physicians
2. Follows, supervises and oversees other staff in following the Resident’s Rights program
3. Attends staff meetings, in-service classes and committee meetings as assigned
4. Obtains continuing education related to the long term care field of nursing
5. Follows and documents facility admission, discharge and transfer procedures and coordinates with other departments, physicians and ancillary service providers
6. Follows infection control procedures and communicates to other staff when precautions are necessary
7. Maintains awareness of any hazardous material handling precautions are communicates to the staff when precaution is required

B.  Contributes to all phases of resident care

1. Supervises and evaluates direct care given to residents and assists in initiating corrective action as necessary in conjunction with the Nurse Manager
2. Participates in resident rounds daily, reporting problems to Nurse Manager and assisting in initiating correct action
3. Identifies emergency situations and initiates immediate measures to correct the problem
4. Reports changes in resident’s condition to Nurse Manager, or DNS, or ADNS, physician, and resident’s responsible party promptly and takes follow-up action as necessary
5. Identifies safety hazards and initiates immediate corrective action
6. Provides clinical supervision of nursing assistants
7. Administers and documents accurately all treatment and medications per physician’s order
8. Assists to perform and document comprehensive assessments of each resident
9. Helps to develop an accurate comprehensive care plan based on resident’s comprehensive assessment
10. Documents resident care provided and resident’s response or lack of response to care provided
11. Knows and competently performs basic nursing skills and instructs nursing assistants related to resident care

C.  Medication Administration

1. Prepares, administers, and documents accurately medication administration, internal nutrition, parental nutrition and treatments
2. Orders medications as necessary
3. Performs accurate control drug count and check emergency kit per schedule

D.  Demonstrates a positive, concerned and sensitive response in the workplace

1. Interacts with residents, visitors and all personnel in a courteous helpful manner
2. Assists in resolving conflict in a constructive manner
3. Maintains confidentiality of information regarding residents, families, and co-workers
4. Demonstrates respect for individual’s cultural and social differences
5. Contributes to the positive atmosphere of the work place

E.  Performs other related duties as assigned

Note:  The above stated duties are intended to outline those functions typically performed by individuals assigned this job description.  This description of duties is not intended to be all inclusive or to li,it the discretionary authority of supervisors to assign other tasks of a similar nature or level of responsibility.

I,__________________________, have reviewed these job requirements and verify that I can perform the essential functions of this role.

I agree that if I do not comply with the State of Vermont mandated safety and infection control practices as required by my job description, I am subject to a day’s suspension without pay and that any subsequent violations may result in termination of my employment with Cedar Hill Continuing Care Community.

____________________________ ___________________

Signature of Employee Date



____________________________ ___________________

Signature of Supervisor Date

06/09 MLS