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Position Description:

The Program Nurse is responsible for the initial and on-going assessment of clients.  The Program Nurse develops, implements, and evaluates a plan of care for assigned clients in collaboration with the team.  Provision of care by the Program Nurse includes delivery of direct care, medication management, health education, as well as the supervision of client care delivered by Program Aides/CNA's.  The Program Nurse acts on behalf of the Program Director in his/or her absence. Program operates Monday through Friday.  Program does not operate on weekends or Holidays.  There is no on-call responsibility for the position.  

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge of the Geriatric Population
Knowledge of Alzheimer's Disease and Treatments
Knowledge of Patient Centered Care
Excellent Communication Skills 
Critical Thinking and Mental Flexibility
Patience
Knowledge of patient safety protocols
Knowledge of mental illness and current treatments
Knowledge of substance use issues and current treatments 
Knowledge of emergency response protocols 
Compassion
Excellent Observation skills 
Positive Attitude 
Ability to create Care Plans based on record review, client and family interview, and practice standards. 
Ability to review program regulations and assure program compliance
Ability to provide program training to staff 
Leadership skills 
Understanding of Program evaluation and process improvement techniques
Excellent organizational skills 
Knowledge of infection control guidelines and protocols.
Knowledge of safe medication management practices

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Accurately completes admission assessments within allotted time frame.
2. Performs on-going focused physical assessments of clients in an accurate, complete, and timely fashion, as warranted by standards of care and/or changes in client status.
3. Performs on-going assessment of client’s needs resulting from cognitive impairment, i.e., dementia, delirium, sundown syndrome, developmental disability, etc., in an accurate, complete, and timely fashion.
4. Performs on-going assessments of client’s psychosocial, functional, developmental, cultural, and spiritual needs in an accurate, complete and timely fashion, as warranted by standards of care and/or changes in client status.
5. Performs on-going assessments of client/family educational needs, barriers to learning and individual learning styles in an accurate, complete, and timely fashion.
6. Performs on-going assessment of client’s needs relative to safety in an accurate, complete, and timely fashion.
7. Performs on-going assessment of pain (i.e. headache, arthritis) as warranted by standards of care and/or changes in client status.
8. Maintains client records in accordance with all state and Federal requirements and center policies
9. Based upon subjective and objective assessment data, develops a plan of care by accurately identifying the appropriate goals for each client.
10. Collaborates and confers with other members of the team and/or family regarding the need to alter the plan of care for clients.
11. Follows established center policies and standards of practice to deliver client care.
12. Independently implements nursing actions to the degree of skill or knowledge currently possessed, and which fall within the RN’s scope of practice.
13. Utilizes appropriate resources to guide the safe performance of nursing actions.
14. Appropriately questions medical orders or standards of care which, in the nurse’s judgment may be inappropriate or harmful to the client.
15. Prior to the implementation of a nursing action, assesses the continued need for the action, assesses the client’s readiness for the action, and explains the action to the client.
16. Accurately follows the established plan of care or revises as necessary.
17. Appropriately delegates nursing actions to certified nursing assistants and non-nursing functions of program aides, while maintaining accountability for such actions.
18. Demonstrates organizational skills which enhance the delivery of care.
19. Demonstrates safe use of all client care equipment and follows guidelines for action when equipment malfunctions.
20. Consistently employs current infection control guidelines for every client, in every situation.
21. Appropriately provides basic care to clients related to nutrition, hygiene, rest, activity, and pain control.
22. Appropriately responds to life-threatening emergent conditions; specifically maintaining skill readiness and knowledge related to performance of Basis Cardiac Life Support.
23. Uses age-appropriate interventions (psychosocial, developmental, and physical) appropriate to the geriatric population served.
24. Based on assessment of educational needs, utilizes appropriate teaching strategies to provide necessary client education, and, if warranted, includes family/significant others in the teaching process.
25. Performs all clinical skills in a safe, accurate and timely manner, in accordance with center policies and procedures.
26. Administers medications per medical order, in a safe, accurate and timely manner, in accordance with center policies and procedures.
27. Orders special diets and supervises proper serving of meals and snacks in accordance with CACFP standards.
28. Implements safety alert program, in accordance with center policies and procedures for clients assessed to be at risk.
29. Accurately documents and follows medical orders in accordance with center policies and procedures.
30. Documents all care planned, provided, and evaluated in an accurate and timely manner, in accordance with center policies and procedures.
31. Effectively communicates client status/needs to center staff as appropriate.
32. Effectively and continuously communicates client status/needs to physicians, therapists, case management agencies and home care agencies in an accurate and timely fashion.
33. Consistently evaluates the overall plan of care for clients, and modifies the plan as needed.
34. Evaluates and documents client’s ability to meet planned goals.
35. Evaluates and documents client response to nursing interventions.
36. Evaluates client’s needs for additional services (i.e. social services, protective services, etc).
37. Participates in/supports the identification of the need for improvement in practice, systems, or resource utilization.
38. Participates in/supports the process to determine best practice/bench marking to improve practice, systems or resource utilization.
39. Participates in/supports the process of implementing change in practice, systems, or resource utilization.
40. Participates in/supports the process of evaluating the impact and benefit of changed practice, systems, or resource utilization.
41. Always maintains confidentiality of all client information.
42. Provides and protects client privacy, dignity, and rights at all times.
43. Maintains satisfactory attendance.  Does not routinely call in ill before or after day off.
44. Complies with procedure for notification of absence or tardiness.
45. Considers program needs when requesting vacation/days off.
46. Schedules and manages program aides in accordance with policies and procedures. Ensures that there is appropriate staffing for program aides.
47. Provides willing assistance to co-workers when requested.
48. Attends all scheduled staff meetings.
49. Reviews communication book, bulletin boards, etc. in order to keep informed of program and agency information.
50. Complies with department dress code policy.
51. Consistently contributes to maintaining a clean and safe environment throughout the center.
52. Immediately reports any observed deviations from accepted practices and/or behavior which may result in compromised services or potential security risks.
53. Assumes responsibility for own learning needs; seeks appropriate assistance as needed.
54. Consistently attends continuing education/inservices.
55. Completes annual self-performance appraisal and develops goals for the coming year.
56. Shares with program staff and Director information derived from attendance at conferences, workshops, and classes.
57. Participates in the hiring and orientation of new program staff and/or functions as a preceptor.
58.Provides and assures training of all staff annually including CACFP training to 
     staff involved in the administration and operation of CACFP. 
59. Manages assignments using effective organizational and priority setting skills.
60. Engages sound critical thinking and decision-making skills as appropriate to the 
     role of the registered professional nurse.
61. Consistently demonstrates caring, respect and professionalism when interacting 
      with clients, families, visitors, and co-workers.
62. Consistently considers age-specific, cultural, and linguistic needs when
      communicating with clients, families, visitors, and co-workers.
63. Accepts constructive criticism and/or uses 
64. Consistently demonstrates punctuality in arriving at work
65. Engages proper telephone communication skills and delivers messages as requested.