Registered Nurse

POSITION: NURSE

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Director of Nursing

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Provides day-to-day nursing care to residents and supervise and assists LNAs in providing personal care; maintains and administers medications; prepares nursing records; schedules and accompanies residents to medical and rehab appointments; processes admissions and discharges. Serves as charge nurse or med nurse as assigned.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provides direct nursing care to residents and day students.

• Assesses children's nursing and medical needs.
• Reviews observations of staff (seizures, etc. for patterns); documents pertinent observations, and reports observations to physician(s), as necessary.
• Reports significant medical problems/needs to Director of Nursing.
• Dispenses medications according to physician's orders.
• Lifts, transfers, and/or positions residents according to the facility guidelines.
• Processes new admissions and discharges, following established procedures.
• Completes nursing assessments of new residents.
• Provides treatments as prescribed.
• Complies with State and Federal guidelines pertaining to controlled drugs and related medical supplies.
• Creates and maintains an atmosphere of warmth, caring and calmness.
• Maintains ongoing documentation of care provided in the electronic medical record.

2. Serves as liaison with physicians, pharmacies, audiologist, dentist and other medical providers.

• Arranges for specialty medical appointments as needed.
• Coordinates and schedules (as necessary) medical services.
• Assists physician(s) in clinics and at outside medical appointments.
• Accompanies residents to medical appointments as necessary.
• Serves as liaison with medical suppliers/vendors.
• Maintains records of medical equipment in-house as well as all equipment out for repair.

3. Oversees programming and care provided by nursing assistants.

• Assists with and oversees care provided by the LNAs.
• Oversees mealtime in dining room and assists with feeding as time permits.
• Assures that all incidents/accidents are recorded and that Director of Nursing is notified of incidents involving residents.
• Provides ongoing communication to school program.
• Reports safety and facility problems in a timely manner.

4. Maintains ongoing communication with families.

• Keeps families advised of the child's status.
• Meets with residents family members as necessary.
• Participates in training of caregivers.
• Responds to family complaints and/or grievances, as they are known.

5. Participates in meetings and performs administrative functions in support of nursing role.

• Assists in updating written policies and procedures as needed.
• Completes necessary medical forms and reports.
• Participates in nurses meetings and inservices.
• Assists in implementing residents Total Plan of Care.
• Monitors the condition of medical equipment used by resident.
• Attends residents quarterly and annual meetings, as necessary.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Department Contribution:

• Provides services in keeping with job description and, for licensed professionals, within the scope of the practice established by state licensing/certification boards.
• Contributes to department activities and projects to promote the objectives of the department.
• Exercises good judgment in performance of responsibilities.
• Recognizes department needs and accepts new responsibilities.
• Participates in department staff meetings and inservices.

2. Communication:

• Communicates respectfully with children, families, co-workers, and visitors.
• Is willing to listen, learn, share and teach others.
• Is respectful and honest in interactions with others.
• Exhibits effective listening, verbal and written skills.
• Works cooperatively with peers.
• Strictly adheres to organizational/department confidentiality.

3. Self Development/Personal Growth:

• Participates in the performance review process by completing a self-evaluation form and developing performance improvement goals with supervisor.
• Demonstrates commitment toward professional growth through ongoing development of skills and knowledge.
• Attends mandatory inservice programs as defined by organizational policy.
• Participates in orientation and a minimum of 15 hours of continuing education activities annually, and meets the requirements for professional development activities as outlined in licensure/certification requirements.

4. Safety:

• Maintains neat, clean and orderly working environment.
• Works in a manner to prevent and/or minimize unsafe conditions and hazards.
• Assists in emergency preparedness activities, as assigned.
• Follows all infection control and safety protocols.

5. Accountability & Reliability:

• Consistently fulfills attendance requirements of position.
• Demonstrates conscientiousness and reliability in performing work assignments.
• Performs tasks independently and in a timely manner.
• Complies with appropriate state and federal regulations.
• Complies with Personnel Policies, Resident's Rights, and Cedarcrest Center's Policies and Procedures.

This position involves following physical requirements based on an 8-hour day! 

QUALIFICATIONS:

Licensed in the State of New Hampshire with a minimum of two years experience in clinical nursing. Experience with children with multiple disabilities and/or chronic health experience preferred.