Registered Nurse Supervisor / Licensed Practical Nurse Supervisor

ATRIUM CENTERS

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title:  Registered Nurse (RN)/Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) 

Department:     Nursing

Reports To:      Director of Nursing

General Purpose

Responsible for the independent supervision of the delivery of care to a group of residents on a nursing unit with guidance from the Director of Nursing Services.  Assess resident needs, provides nursing care, evaluates nursing care, administers medications and completes treatments. Directly supervises the nursing assistants in the delivery of nursing care. 

 Qualifications

• Must hold a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse in the practicing state.
• Must have proof of continuing education units and current CPR certification.
• Good working knowledge of State rules and regulations.
• IV Certification preferred.
• Must have completed the requirements necessary to administer medications in the practicing state.
• Ongoing pursuit of continuing education credits in clinical subjects, management, personal growth and development.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with staff, residents, guests, and outside agencies.
• Must have the ability to read and write in English, and follow oral and written instructions. 
• Must be capable of maintaining regular attendance.
• Must meet all federal, state and local health regulations, pass post-offer drug test, pass post-offer background checks, and pass post-employment physical exam. 
• Must be capable of performing the essential job functions of this job, with or without reasonable accommodation. 
  • Supervise and assist nursing assistants.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

A.   Unit Functions

Duties: 

• Accountable for the delivery of care and outcomes through supervision of the nursing assistants.
• Assign nursing assistants specific duties for the provision of resident care.
• Assign breaks and meal periods to nursing assistants.
• Ensure proper staffing by calling in replacement employees for licensed and/or state-tested personnel who will not be reporting for work.
• In the absence of the Director of Nursing or the Assistant Director of Nursing, is House Supervisor.
• Assist in the orientation of new nursing department employees.
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• Develop effective resident care teams to enhance the delivery of services to the residents.
• Make walking rounds of the nursing units to assess, review, and ensure the quality of care being delivered to the residents by the nursing assistants.
• Attend and participate in management meetings.
• Support and follow through with management team goals.
• Assume responsibility and accountability for the operation of the assigned nursing unit.
• Assume responsibility and accountability for directly managing and monitoring the care and services provided by the nursing assistants.
• Utilize time efficiently to assure completion of duties and responsibilities in allotted time 

     frame. 

• Assist other RN/LPN as necessary.
•  

B.   Resident Assessment Functions

Duties: 

• Adhere to state rules and regulations concerning delivery of care to the residents.
• Assure that effective quality nursing care is delivered which is outcome-focused through the utilization of the nursing process.
• Effectively interview the resident/responsible party to obtain information required for developing and implementing a plan of care
• Perform physical assessment through observation, inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation.
• Respond to concerns raised by the nursing assistants related to the physical and mental condition of the residents.
• Assess residents experiencing a change in condition, reporting the same to the resident’s attending physician in accordance with the exercise of professional judgment.
• Identify needs and provide input for discharge planning.
• Continually assess goals and discharge plans throughout resident’s length of stay.
• Communicate medical information to the resident’s attending physician in a timely manner and in accordance with the exercise of professional judgment.
• Review 24-hour reports to fully comprehend the current mental and physical status of the resident.
• Accurately and thoroughly document the services provided to the resident throughout the course of the shift and/or the time frame warranted by the nature of the progress note or summary.
• Assist in achieving compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Assist in correcting areas of non-compliance identified from federal, state, and mock surveys.
• Participate in ensuring a safe environment for residents, staff, and families.
• Meet regularly with Director of Nursing, Assistant Director of Nursing, and other nursing supervisors and management.
• Utilize professional and sound judgment in delivery of care that is cost efficient, but does not jeopardize safe, effective care delivery.
• Monitor meal service and delivery to ensure that residents are receiving adequate nutrition.
• Assist resident to the dining room as needed.
• Assist staff in the completion of primary nursing duties, as necessary.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the resident care team in relation to resident outcomes, adjusting the team members and/or team assignments as necessary.
• Critique and take responsibility for evaluating nursing care delivered.
• Assist other RN/LPN Supervisors with resident assessment as necessary.

C.   Plan of Care Functions

Duties: 

• Attend plan of care meetings for residents on the Supervisor’s assignment.
• Implement teaching with resident/responsible party, consistent with Interdisciplinary Plan of Care.
• Implement Plan of Care consistently, effectively and cost efficiently with focus on resident centered outcomes.
• Ensure that all nursing services personnel are aware of the care plan and that care plans are used in providing daily nursing services to the resident.
• Utilize all appropriate and available resources to attain the goals established in the plan of care and discharge plan.
• Keep physician informed of resident’s condition and notify physician immediately of significant changes.
• Evaluate effectiveness of the plan of care and make changes upon recognition of need.
• Utilize the expertise of nurse colleagues to evaluate plan of care.
• Elicit feedback from resident and/or family member to determine whether needs are being met.

D.   Resident Care Delivery Functions

Duties: 

• Deliver and maintain optimum resident care and comfort by demonstrating knowledge and skills consistent with contemporary nursing practices.
• Transcribe physician orders appropriately and accurately.
• Ask for clarification of questionable orders from the ordering physician.
• Perform only those activities that are within the scope of acceptable nursing practices. 
• Notify physician and Director of Nursing or Assistant Director of Nursing if orders are not carried out.
• Document all unusual incidents appropriately.
• Administer medications in a timely fashion and in accordance with physician orders and acceptable nursing standards.
• Complete treatments in a timely fashion and in accordance with physician orders and acceptable nursing standards.
• Start and/or pull IV lines as directed by the physician, in accordance with the limitations described in the Nurse Practice Act.
• Administer IV medications as per physician order, in accordance with the limitations described in the Nurse Practice Act.
• Follow company, facility, and departmental policies and procedures, and appropriately utilize professional nursing judgment.
• Ensure accurate documentation of all medical records and reports.
• Demonstrate safe practice with respect to the resident’s comfort and safety by applying knowledge of proper body alignment, practicing and promoting adherence to safety codes, and appropriately utilizing side rails and restraints.
• Thoroughly investigate all resident related incidents, immediately implementing measures to prevent recurrence.
• Ensure that resident care and services are being provided in a manner that adequately reflects the philosophy of the company.

E.   Pharmacological Functions

Duties: 

• Maintain a current knowledge base in pharmacology.
• Demonstrate knowledge of policies governing medication administration and documentation.
• Demonstrate knowledge of drug reactions and sensitivities and nursing interventions.
• Assure that narcotics are accounted for properly.
• Report immediately all discrepancies in the narcotic count, in accordance with facility policy and procedure.
• Apply adult learning principles in educating resident and/or family regarding the resident’s medication regime.
• Recognize normal and abnormal lab values and communicate the same to the attending physician, dietician, pharmacologist, respiratory therapist and/or other treatment team members as appropriate.

F.   Residents’ Rights Functions

Duties: 

• Maintain resident confidentiality both directly and through emphasis of confidentiality obligations to the nursing assistants.
• Treat residents with kindness, dignity, and respect.
• Know, comply with, and ensure that all nursing assistants know and comply with the Resident’s Bill of Rights.
• Monitor nursing services to ensure that the resident’s needs and rights are met.
• Promptly review all resident complaints and grievances, report them to the Director of Nursing Services or the Assistant Director of Nursing Services.
• Promptly act to resolve resident and/or family complaints and grievances. 
• Report immediately all violations of Resident’s Rights.
• Maintain strong ethical code regarding Resident’s Rights.

G.   Infection Control

Duties: 

• Demonstrate working knowledge of infection control.
• Use proper hand washing technique.
• Dispose of soiled or infectious materials in an appropriate manner.
• Provide necessary specialized nursing services to residents in isolation.
• Maintain a clean work area.

H.   Marketing Functions

Duties: 

• Welcome new residents and their families, new employees, and guests.
• Tour potential residents and/or their families through the building in the absence of the Marketing Director.
• Promote the services offered by the facility to residents, residents’ families, staff, and members of the community.

I.   HIPAA Compliance Functions

Duties: 

• Maintain the confidentiality and security of all PHI, (Personal Healthcare Information) as defined by HIPAA, (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), unless the resident or employee consents and authorizes the use or disclosure of personal healthcare information or that which is permitted by the HIPAA Privacy Standard.  This includes healthcare information, oral or written, which is individual identifiable information relating to a resident’s or employee’s health and healthcare needs or payment for healthcare.
• Follow Atrium Centers, LLC’s policies and procedures designed to comply with these standards.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

A.   Continuous Quality Improvement Functions

Duties: 

• Participate in Quality Improvement and Corporate Compliance Programs, as assigned.
• Identify practices that could be improved to enhance service delivery.
• Ensure that quality improvement measures are continually maintained.
• Maintain open rapport with all staff and departments to ensure that a team effort is achieved in providing superior services in the facility.
• Understand and abide by the Corporate Standards of Conduct policies.

B.   Committee Functions 

Duties: 

• Attend and participate in various committees and meetings of the facility.
• Participate in the Corporate Compliance program, as assigned, and abide by the Corporate Standards of Conduct policies.

C.   Safety and Sanitation Function

Duties: 

• Ensure that personnel understand and follow departmental policies and procedures, universal precautions, established safety rules, and fire and disaster procedures.
• Report immediately hazardous or unsafe conditions.
• Ensure cleanliness of Nursing Services work areas, stations, preparation rooms, treatment areas, and resident rooms.
• Ensure that nursing supplies and equipment are used in an appropriate and safe manner and in a fashion that comports with the product’s intended use.
• Ensure the safety and security of nursing supplies and equipment.

D.   Staff Development and Functions

Duties: 

• Attend and participate in orientation, training, in-service educational activities, and staff meetings for general staff, nursing staff, and management staff. 
• Attend and participate in all mandatory in-services.
• Attend and participate in orientation, educational programs, and meetings for residents and/or their families.
• Recognize self-evaluation and self-development as an important tool in maintaining high standards of care and professionalism.
• Seek and provide peer review and consultation.
• Attend continuing education programs.

E.   All Other Duties As Assigned

REQUIREMENTS

The individual in this position must be able to do the following, with or without the aid of a reasonable accommodation, to perform the essential functions of this job. 

• Remain calm under stress, think clearly, and make decision. 
• Manage multiple priorities simultaneously. 
• Investigate and analyze a situation fairly and objectively. 
• Walk, reach, and bend on a regular basis. 
• Grasp, push, pull, and lift a minimum of 50 pounds. 
• Exercise fine motor skills. 
• Quickly distinguish smells, taste, and temperatures. 
• Receive and respond to intercom and telephone pages. 
• Quickly differentiate between colorings and markings on the skin and other parts of the body. 
• Quickly identify potentially hazardous conditions.