Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Evenings PT

Title:  Licensed Nurse (RN/LPN)

Reports to:  DON

Status:  FLSA Non-exempt

JOB SUMMARY

The licensed nurse is a professional nurse (LPN or RN) responsible for assisting with planning and directing nursing care for a specific number of residents.  This position directly supervises charge nurses and assists with teaching and supervision of other team members in the provision of quality care consistent with the mission of Wesley Towers.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

Personnel Responsibilities:

• Provide positive leadership and supervision of nursing personnel.
• Assist with the orientation and training of newly hired personnel.
• Report employee absences, late arrivals, and inappropriate actions to charge nurse and Unit Care Coordinator, and assist in insuring substitute staff is called.
• Participate in ongoing teaching of staff by modeling professionalism, consistent quality care, initiative, and taking opportunities for informal teaching.
• Assist with making assignments for team members.
• Supervise passing of medications by CMA's to residents in assigned area.
• Evaluate completion of tasks assigned to ancillary personnel.
• Participate in evaluation and corrective action of personnel in conjunction with the charge nurse, Director of Nursing and Unit Care Coordinator.
• Notify charge nurse/Unit Care Coordinator of problems that arise during shift.  Propose/execute corrective actions as needed.
• Evaluate care provided to residents by team members.  Be able to cope with mental and emotional stress related to this position. Be able to function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and consistency.

Coordination of Resident Care:

• Assist in meeting and maintaining the established standards of nursing care for residents in assigned area.
• Assist in the ongoing development, updating and execution of the resident plan of care.
• Assist with resident assessments and documentation as per facility policies.
• Advocate for the residents and their needs. Provide nursing interventions in a safe and caring manner.
• Interpret established resident care plan and any changes to members of their team.
• Coordinate changes in physician's orders with resident's plan of care.  Assist physician when making rounds and/or examining residents.
• Observe, assess and report changes in resident behavior/physical condition as necessary to physician, family, designated contact person and Unit Care Coordinator.
• Administer medications/treatment per physician's orders.
• Assist with discharge planning and teaching on admission, ongoing and at discharge.
• Receive, document, execute and follow-up physician's orders and complete appropriate paper/computer work per policies and procedures.
• Delegate appropriate tasks to other members of the nursing team consistent with their job descriptions, certification and licensure for this state.  Supervise and evaluate quality completion of those tasks.
• Maintain communication with resident family, legal Health Care representative regarding resident condition, needs and changes in Plan of Care.  Communicate these needs and changes to nursing Coordinator and at shift report.
• Serve as a positive role model to staff, residents and families at all times, communicating positively and effectively to maintain quality atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive focus with the holistic well-being of the resident as the focal point for each day.
• Assist with planning and implementing appropriate therapeutic individual and small group activities to fulfill resident’s needs/interests.
• Execute and direct nursing care in accordance with regulations, guidelines, standards and Wesley Towers policy.
• Perform duties of CNA, CMA, or other nursing staff as needed to fulfill the resident’s individualized plan of care. Provide residents with opportunities for independence and choice consistent with their care plan.

The resident is number one at Wesley Towers. Therefore job duties can include anything that helps the resident to attain or maintain the highest possible functioning.  These tasks must be within the nurses’ scope of practice depending on whether he/she is an LPN or an RN.

GENERAL DUTIES include, but are not limited to:

• Interpret the individualized plan of care for each resident to other members of the team.
• Supervise CNA's and CMA's in providing quality, personalized care for each resident in assigned area.
• Together with CMA or another professional nurse, complete count of restricted drugs as necessary.
• Responsible for admission nursing assessments of residents, transfer sheets and discharge instruction sheets for those leaving the facility.  Complete discharge summary upon discharge of a resident. Coordinate with other team members, departments, unit coordinators, and physician to insure successful transfer of residents.
• Provide a report of the pertinent information regarding happenings to the residents assigned to their team for new team members coming on duty.
• Together with unit coordinator, assure that the resident's physician is notified of changes in condition and that the physician's plan of care is carried out.
• Attend Care Planning sessions for assigned residents when possible.
• Complete documentation on resident's chart as applicable:  document resident response and outcomes to the plan of care.
• Initiate appropriate action as resident needs arise.
• Work with and cooperate with facility consultants and implement changes as authorized by DON.
• Ensure all procedures for administration, storage, ordering, disposal, control of medications and supplies are followed by personnel.
• Demonstrate safety and cost effectiveness in the delivery of care according to standards/policies/procedures/regulations.
• Practice universal precautions and proper disposal of infectious waste at all times. Perform TB testing as needed for residents. Perform TB testing to team members as directed by Home Health Coordinator.
• Report incidents/accidents and exposures according to policy.  Assist in identifying safety hazards and emergency situations and initiate immediate action as needed.
• Respond to emergency calls throughout the Wesley Towers’ complex as assigned.
• Assist residents with transfers, promote ambulation and exercises, transport residents as needed and as designated on resident Plan of Care using gait belts, proper transfer techniques and lifts per facility policy and procedure.
• Use and operate equipment in a safe manner.  Report unsafe or defective equipment.  Follow all safety precautions.
• Note safety hazards and report/correct them immediately.
• Assist in the nursing process as requested by the DON and UCC and according to licensure by the State.
• Assist in the continuous service improvement process as requested by DON, UCC or CSI committee.
• Is aware of location/content of all standards/policy/procedure manuals, safety data sheets, and how to use them.  Is familiar with all regulations governing nursing and resident care, and is aware of the location of these.
• Cooperate with all personnel within and between departments, customers and outside contacts in a team-like atmosphere.

• Currently licensed as an (LPN or RN) in the State of Kansas. 
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
• Capable of understanding, following and/or issuing oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate with other licensed nurses and to accept counsel from his/her unit coordinator.
• Ability to develop positive rapport with other staff, residents, families, and other departments.
• Positive, understanding attitude towards dementia, ill, elderly residents.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, and other departments within the facility.

Special Demands:

Must be flexible as schedule changes. Willingness to work with the realization that errors or incompetence can cause serious consequences for the resident.  Must have patience and tact and be able to communicate effectively with residents, families, and other staff members. Must have good eyesight to observe residents and to give nursing care, read thermometers, and to complete documentation. Can hear normal and soft tones to hear resident calls. Be aware that working with residents with dementia may expose staff to residents who become violent, combative, or aggressive without notice or provocation.  It is important for all staff to respond in appropriate manner, remaining calm and non-threatening. Must be able to distinguish smells.  Is familiar with and capable of operating all special equipment utilized for the benefit of the residents within health care.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Works in well-lit and ventilated building.  May be exposed to residents having communicable diseases and disagreeable odors.  Possible exposure to sharp materials and/or instruments.  May be subjected to stressful situations and uncomfortable surroundings.

Physical Demands:

Frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, squatting, and reaching above head.  Must be able to crawl in case of fire.  Must be able to lift unassisted up to 30 pounds.  Must be able to do grasping and fine manipulating with both hands.  Must be able to push and pull carts and to push residents in wheelchairs.