SUMMARY OF POSITION FUNCTIONS

The Unit Charge Nurse assumes planning, responsibility, and accountability for resident care of a designated unit for one shift and in accordance with Federal and State regulations and company/facility policies, procedures and care plans.

ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS

• Coordinates resident care and non-resident care (cleaning, etc.) by developing and distributing written nursing assignments for each unit employee which outlines residents to be cared for and other duties to be executed during the shift. Describes care plan goals and approaches to direct care staff so that plan is consistently implemented on all shifts by all caregivers.

• Monitors and trains staff and corrects deficiencies for compliance with OSHA mandates on workplace safety including hazard communication, blood borne pathogens, and infection control procedures. Instructs personnel on use of equipment. Assists with monitoring of regular attendance at in-service programs. Supervises special needs of nursing assistant trainee and provides performance assessments.
• Complies with the facility's privacy practices and procedures related to resident and employee records and all state/federal privacy laws as outlined by HIPAA.
• Completes required documentation of care and services delivered during shift including subjective findings, objective symptoms, interventions, and resident responses to interventions. Completes required documentation of special circumstances including accident/incident reports in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
• Completes written 24-hour facility report. Gives and listens to verbal shift report making special note of significant changes in condition, admissions, transfers, discharges, unnecessary use of any drug, incidents, unexplained injuries, medication errors, loss of resident property, or evidence of resident or family dissatisfaction.
• Performs physical assessment of new admissions and current residents as indicated by change in condition or as required by regulation. Completes assigned sections of resident assessment instruments used in the facility.
• With participation of interdisciplinary team members and resident, to the extent practicable, develops, implements, evaluates, and revises plans of care with measurable objectives and timetables to assist each resident to attain or maintain highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being. Modifies approaches in plans of care to accommodate resident needs and preferences to manage risk factors for functional decline and to improve functional abilities. Coordinates care and delivery of services with all disciplines. Consults with and refers relevant resident care issues to attention of interdisciplinary care team members.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• One-year providing direct care to residents in long-term care, acute care, restorative or geriatric nursing setting preferred. Prior experience as a Charge Nurse or similarly supervisory experience preferred.
• Current active Indiana Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse.
• CPR Certification.
• Knowledge of federal/state regulations.