JOB DESCRIPTION FOR RN/LVN CHARGE NURSE

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Must be a graduate of state approved school of vocational or professional nursing.
2. Must have successfully completed the state board of registration or licensure and carry a current state license as a registered nurse or licensed vocational nurse.
3. Must be willing and able to assume charge of personnel assigned to his/her area.

JOB SUMMARY:

Is responsible for supervision of the total nursing activities on his/her station during shift

Organize and assign all jobs to be done on the tour of duty so that the workload is evenly distributed among the employees n the basis of staff qualifications, size, and physical layout of the facility, etc.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Is responsible during the shift for the total nursing care of residents in his/her assigned unit
2. Is able to recognize significant changes in the condition of residents and take necessary action.
3. Have working knowledge of all residents under his/her care
4. Assign all aides to patients, as needed- spelling out break times, and all special duties to be completed.
5. Ensures that all parental, intramuscular, subcutaneous injections are administered in accordance with doctor's orders.
6. Make meaningful rounds of all patients utilizing Resident Assessment and Comprehensive Care Plan.
7. Ensures that the individual Resident Assessment and Comprehensive Care Plan is followed to meet the resident's needs according to generally accepted nursing practices in the State of Texas.
8. Assist in writing and updating the Resident Assessment and Comprehensive Care Plan as patient's condition changes, with the help of the Nursing Director, Activities Director, and Food Service Supervisor and designated nurse.
9. Recommend changes needed in staff as to number of aides and kind of work performed.
10. Recommend conference with director as needed and participate is staff meetings to keep staff performing at optimum level.
11. Administer or supervise all treatments prescribed by physician. Example: decubitus care, foley catheter care, hot and cold compresses, etc.
12. Make rounds with physician and record visits in chart.
13. Transcribe all physician orders.
14. Personally receive or place all calls to physician.
15. Administer or supervise the preparation and administration of prescribed medications.
16. Order all new medication.
17. Give initial doses of all new medications and chart same dose.
18. If medication aide is present, be aware of the limitations and do not allow or encourage him/her to exceed the same.
19. Directs charting on shift and makes regular detailed evaluation of all residents charting at least monthly so chart reflects progress and condition of resident at all times. Is responsible for approving and signing each chart when observations are made.
20. Be aware of legal implications if physician orders are not carried out correctly.
21. Be sensitive to resident's families and respond in an appropriate professional manner, as the situation requires.
22. Know when the situation cannot be handled and be willing to ask for help and to know who to ask.
23. Abide by policies of facility and ascertain that employees under his/her supervision do the same.
24. Supervise serving of prescribes diets and fluid in take (it is acceptable to document only deviations from normal) and report persistent unresolved problems to physician and the Director of Nursing.
25. Ensure that all medications and treatments are charted after the fact: by person administering the medication or completing the treatment on his/her assigned shift.
26. Supervise the preparation of incident and accident reports.
27. Ensure that a copy of the medical records and discharge information is forwarded with the transfer of residents in accordance with the facility Transfer and Discharge policy.
28. Ensure that drugs covered by the Controlled Substance Act are verified by inventory.
29. Detect and correct situations that have a high probability of causing accidents or injuries to residents.
30. Ensures continuing promotion of the resident's physical and emotional health by assisting him/her regarding personal medical care. If a resident refuses to follow instructions, the nurse is responsible for documenting this refusal in the resident's chart.

JOB KNOWLEDGE

1. Knowledge of procedures and techniques necessary to administer medication and treatment as prescribed by physician.
2. Knowledge of medications and possible side effects.
3. Knowledge if facility's policies and procedures and how to carry these through.
4. Knowledge of aging and an awareness of the need for meaningful intervention.
5. Knowledge of state and federal requirements.

SPECIAL DEMANDS;

1. Be able to work well with others and overlook personal preferences where good of all is concerned.
2. Use of initiative and good judgment.
3. Awareness of the needs and desires of others.

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Employee Signature Date: