Registered Nurse (RN)

Reports to: Director of Nursing

Department:  Nursing

Job Functions:

Summary:

The Registered Nurse (RN) supervises and coordinates the efforts of nursing staff and provides total nursing care for residents. In addition to the essential functions outlined herein, this position is considered to be a direct resident care role and therefore the incumbent shall meet and fulfill all applicable requirements as outlined in California Code of Regulation Title 22: Social Security, Division 5: Health Facilities, as well as the Health and Safety Code for the State of California.

Supervision: As a supervisor, RNs have the authority, in the interest of the employer, to assign and responsibly direct nursing department employees. RNs are expected to exercise authority through the use of the company’s policies and procedures in the interest of the facility.

• Support the philosophy, mission, commitment, vision, and values of the company.
• Supervise, direct, and evaluate assigned staff members, LVNs, and CNAs.
• Assist in the orientation of newly assigned personnel, as well as supervises and instructs other nursing personnel, as assigned.
• Assign nursing care to team members in accordance with the resident’s needs and the team member’s specific capabilities and qualifications.
• Evaluate data and compare various courses of action when assigning team members.
  
• Conduct or participate in performance evaluations of CNA’s under supervision.
• Assume the responsibility for ensuring appropriate staffing levels. Immediately notifies the Director of Nursing Services and/or Administrator of inappropriate staffing levels and assists with resolution.
• Supervises nursing unit/assignment, which includes the assignment of work and directing the nursing staff to the extent permitted by the Nurse Practice Act.
• Meets with assigned unit personnel throughout the shift to assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or the improvement of services. Provides shift report to applicable unit personnel at the beginning and end of the work shift to ensure completion of assignments and continuity of care.
• Coordinates the nursing care of residents when scheduled for therapy or procedures by other departments.
• Interviews applicants and recommends hires.
• Assures that nursing personnel follow established nursing procedures and company policies.
• Assumes the responsibility of correcting, coaching, and counseling underperforming personnel.
• Participates in counseling, disciplinary action, and termination of staff to the extent permitted by the Nursing Practice Act.
• Initiates investigations of accidents and unusual occurrences and makes the necessary written report to the Director of Nursing Services (DNS).
• Investigates complaints and grievances and makes the necessary oral and/or written reports to the DNS.
• Keeps the DNS informed about the status of residents, staff, and related matters.
• Promotes interpersonal relationships and develops staff morale.
• Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse developments in residents.
• Assumes the authority, responsibility, and the oversight of directing services on the assigned unit/shift.
• Assumes accountability for the performance of tasks by LVNs and CNAs under RN supervision.
• The RN “assigns” through “the act of designating an employee to a place (such as location, department, or wing), appointing an employee to a time (such as a shift or overtime), or giving significant overall duties, i.e. tasks, to an employee.” Merely choosing the order in which an employee will perform discrete tasks within those assignments is not indicative of exercising the authority to “assign.”
• The RN has the “responsibility to direct” as the supervisor, which includes being accountable for the performance of the tasks performed by direct reports, such that some adverse consequence may befall the supervising RN if the tasks performed by the employee are not performed properly.
• The RN exercises “independent judgment,” and, will at a minimum, “act, or effectively recommend action, free of the control of others and form an opinion or evaluation by discerning and comparing data.” Judgment will not be deemed independent where it is dictated or controlled by a detailed set of verbal or written instructions, such set forth in company policies or rules.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

• Manages area of responsibility with the goal of achieving and maintaining the highest quality of care possible.
• Monitors employees to assure overtime is not being utilized without prior approval.
• Recommends plans for staff training and development using quality assurance indicators, incident report investigations, and direct observation.
• Contacts physicians, as necessary, to ensure physician interventions are timely and appropriate.
• Conducts chart audit weekly for all patients assigned to the unit (all assessments, MAR’s, flow sheets, and treatment sheets).
• Supervises nursing unit, which includes scheduling and directing the nursing staff to the extent permitted by state practice act.
• Monitors employee meals and 10-minute breaks to assure compliance.
• Monitors food carts to assure meals are served in a timely manner.
• Coordinates the effective use of personnel, supplies, equipment, and facilities.
• Monitors nursing care for residents throughout the shift.
• Recommends the purchase of materials or equipment for the improvement of nursing services.
• Monitors the noise level on unit to ensure it is kept at a minimal level.
• Ensures the appropriate and timely documentation of resident care activities.
• Participates in the nurse on-call system.
• Reviews staffing patterns and the census of nursing units and reassigns personnel, when necessary, to ensure staffing meets resident needs and budgetary controls.
• Obtains medications, supplies, and medical records needed to provide safe, efficient, and therapeutic care to residents on a continuing basis.
• Ensures monthly order recapitulation is completed and accurate for unit/area assigned.
• Monitors the skills of new staff members and guides and observes staff that may need additional assistance with procedures.
• Participates in developing, implementing, and evaluating programs that promote the recruitment, retention, development, and continuing education of nursing staff members.
• Completes capitulation summary for assigned discharged residents within five days of discharge.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Skilled in directing and motivating the workforce.
• Ability to communicate effectively with residents and their family members, and at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to react decisively and quickly in emergency situations.
• Ability to organize and prioritize.
• Knowledge of training techniques for clinical staff.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrated competence of nursing skills within the applicable Nurse Practice Act and associated expectations for quality care delivery.
• Skilled in directing and motivating the workforce, including building, leading, and managing the team.

Qualifications:

• Must be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing; BSN degree preferred.
• Valid RN license in the state of employment.
• Valid CPR certification.
• 3-5 years of experience in nursing with supervisory experience is preferred.