Registered Nurse (RN)

Job Description

A Registered Nurse (RN) is a health care professional skilled in all phases of the nursing process. He/she is adaptable to the needs of the individual and family during health and illness and has the ability to prioritize. The RN assesses, plans, implements and evaluates daily resident care and is responsible for the direction of personnel assigned to him/her.Responsibilities

Assessments

Completes the nursing admission assessment on admission or assigned residents per procedure utilizing proper techniques, tools and history

Utilizes the admission assessment for information in caring for each resident as assigned

Makes appropriate situational decisions with information received from assessments

Notifies and consults with physicians and supervisors

Makes appropriate referrals or social service contacts

Consults with other departments as required or needed

Planning

Initiates a nursing care plan on each assigned admission based on nursing assessments and identification of nursing problems

Reviews physician orders on assigned residents prior to care and requests physician’s orders when appropriate to plan resident’s care

Encourages participation of residents/families in plans of care

Integrates therapeutic plans of care in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team

Implementation

Executes procedures consistent with interdisciplinary nursing care plans, the regulatory manual and the Petersen Health Care Policy and Procedures Manuals that are within the scope of the role of the RN

Consistently demonstrates proficiency in skills applicable to nursing

Provides for the safety and security needs of assigned residents through:

Appropriate explanations

Appropriate use of restraints

Maintenance of communication devices (nurse call lights, TV, telephone, etc.), proper equipment, utensils, transportation, total body hygiene, and basic comfort care measures including pain control

Utilizes all techniques of infection control appropriately: hand washing, changing dressings, giving injections, applying isolation precautions

Provides for the psycho-social needs of residents by :

Anticipating fears, worries, changes in life style

Listening to and hearing resident/family anxieties and providing forum for venting or reducing anxieties; providing diversion consistent with interests and condition of resident

Coordinated development of a realistic comprehensive resident/family education plan in conjunction with the interdisciplinary team

Evaluation

Reviews plans of care of assigned residents on a day-to-day basis updating as necessary when outcomes cannot e realized or problems

Communication Skills

Obtains pertinent data in an objective and professional manner by:

Interviewing residents/families in a sensitive fact finding way

Seeking information from physicians appropriately

Communicates pertinent information and seeks assistance regarding resident care throughout the tour of duty and at change of shift

Articulates and utilizes factual data for problem solving in resident/family and/or interdepartmental staff-related conflicts in a way that demonstrates a positive and cooperative manner

Contributes in a constructive manner in staff meetings and Resident Care Conferences

Consistently communicates in a manner that demonstrates a positive and cooperative attitude

Documents clearly and completely the various aspects of the nursing process on medical records and other appropriate forms

Utilizes appropriate and professional body language

Demonstrates receptively through active listening

Change Process

Identifies areas appropriate for change in a manner that demonstrate a positive attitude

Facilitates change process in a manner that demonstrate a positive attitude

Adapts to change brought about by external and internal force in a cooperative and mature wayRequired Skills

Be of legal working age

Be able to read and follow written directions

Be able to communicate with residents and co-workers in English

Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general

Work overtime as necessary

Must possess a general knowledge and understanding of state and federal laws as they pertain to long term care

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing

Current license in good standing in the state in which the facility is located

Must have the current federally required vaccines or proof of a valid exemption.