DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY

As the Charge Nurse, RN, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties. In the absence of the Director, or Assistant Director of Nursing Services, you are charged with carrying out the resident care policies established by this facility.

JOB FUNCTIONS

Every effort has been made to make your job description as complete as possible. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is a logical assignment to the position.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS

A criteria-based performance evaluation has been made a part of this job description. Ratings are based on a scale from 1-5 in 8 categories, with 1 being the lowest, and 5 being the highest. If you fail to achieve a score above 24, you shall be placed on probation and re-evaluated following a specific time period, or terminated based on evaluation results.

ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS

• Assist the Director of Nursing Services in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing the day-to-day functions of the nursing service department, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long-term care facility.
• Participate in developing, maintaining, and updating our written policies and procedures that govern the day-to-day functions of the nursing service department.
• Ensure that reference material (i.e., PDR’S, Federal and State Regulations, etc.) maintained at the nurses’ stations is current. Recommend to the Director written material that will assist the nursing service department in meeting the day-to-day needs of residents.
• Ensure that the Nursing Service Procedures Manual is current at all times and reflects the day-to-day nursing care procedures used by this facility.
• Develop and periodically update nursing service objectives and statements of philosophy.
• Assist in developing and implementing a nursing service organization structure.
• Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the Director as necessary/required, concerning the operation of the nursing service department.
• Periodically review the department’s policies, procedure manuals, job descriptions, etc. Make recommendations for revisions of policies, procedures, etc., to the Director of Nursing Services.
• Assist in developing methods for coordinating nursing services with other resident services to ensure the continuity of the residents’ total regimen of care.
• Ensure that all nursing service personnel are following their respective job descriptions. Participate in developing, maintaining, and periodically updating the written job descriptions for each level of nursing personnel.
• Participate in the development, maintenance, and implementation of the facility’s quality assurance program for the nursing service department.
• Participate in surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as requested by the administrator or director of nursing services.
• Participate in developing, implementing, and periodically updating the resident’s written discharge plan.
• Assist the resident and Discharge Planning Coordinator in planning the nursing services portion of the resident’s discharge plan.
• Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc., as necessary.

EDUCATION

• Must possess, as a minimum, a Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university.

EXPERIENCE

• Must have, as a minimum, 2 years of experience as a supervisor in a hospital, long-term care facility, or other related health care facility.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of South Dakota.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
• Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to long-term care.
• Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with professional and non-professional personnel.
• Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures, etc., that are necessary for providing quality care.
• Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents.
• Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.
• Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS

(With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Must function independently, and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.
• Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility.
• Must be able to lift, push, pull, and move a minimum of 50 pounds.
• Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

PURPOSE OF YOUR JOB POSITION

The primary purpose of your job position is to assist the Director of Nursing Services in planning, organizing, developing, and directing the day-to-day functions of the Nursing Service Department in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern our facility, and as may be directed by the Administrator, the Medical Director, and/or the Director of Nursing Services, to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.