Registered Nurse

Incumbent works as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the Nursing Department of the Indiana Veterans Home.

Performs all aspects of nursing care within the scope of the Indiana Nurse Practice Act utilizing specialized knowledge judgement and skill.

The RN4 works with minimal supervision and has some management responsibilities and accountability to one nursing unit or area of nursing (i.e. Education Care Planning).

Reports to Nurse Supervisor 6 if Staff nurse or Education nurse; to Nurse Supervisor 5 if Care Plan Nurse.

Administers medications and treatments as ordered by a physician;

Assesses residents based on principles of biological physical and behavioral sciences;

Documents results and reports results to the physician.

Communicates changes of conditions to families.

Takes vital signs.

Transcribes physician orders.

Answers call lights and responds to any resident request for assistance.

Follows recommended safety and infection control standards.

Always adheres to residents rights.

Maintains correct controlled substance counts during shift.

Completes required documentation of nursing notes transfer forms and other records.

Assists with orientation of new employees.

Participates in resident care planning MDSs and documentation.

Assist with monthly changeover of all necessary forms.

Completes and distributes nurse aide assignments.

Gives a thorough report to oncoming shift.

Plans presents and evaluates education programs.

Conducts orientation for all new facility staff.

Teaches and maintains paperwork for CNA and QMA class.

Operates AV equipment.

Prepares and distributes MDS calendar.

Signs and dates MDSs.

Schedules and conducts care plan conferences.

Audit charts and MDS; s for completeness.

Responds to codes.

Schedule transfer conferences and documents conferences.

Must be licensed as and maintain license as a Registered Nurse in Indiana; must be registered as a certified CNA and QMA instructor in Indiana; must maintain first aide mantoux and CPR certification and instructors certification (if in Education).

Ability to understand and communicate with residents other staff and families; ability to complete required paperwork correctly and legibly; ability to provide safe efficient nursing care following all applicable state and Veterans Administration rules Client policies and procedure and all HIPAA rules; ability to use medical equipment within the scope of licensure; ability to teach students; ability to prioritize workload; ability to be flexible; ability to assess residents and report to the physician; ability to administer medications and treatments in a safe efficient manner recognizing medication side effects; ability to know approved abbreviations and appropriate terminology; ability to complete the MDS form accurately and timely; ability to write care plans based on individual needs; ability to operate AV equipment; ability to plan and organize educational programs; ability to respond appropriately to medical emergencies and make appropriate decisions; must attend required inservices.

May assign and review work of Nursing Attendants in assigned area; reports to Nurse Supervisor 6; or to Nurse Supervisor 5 if a Care Plan Nurse.

Work involves complex judgement decisions based on scientific and biological principles.

Must demonstrate sound nursing judgement in assessment of residents.

RN is legally responsible for own nursing actions with minimal supervision requiring judgement for use of specialized knowledge.

Failure to utilize good judgement may be detrimental to resident care and to facility reputation.

Works with residents professional and nonprofessional staff residents families visitors volunteers and staff from other facilities.

Must be able to walk and stand for long periods of time; must be able to bend stoop twist reach above shoulders push/pull must be able to assist with lifting and transferring residents from 100 to 500 pounds using a gait belt or other accepted practices or with a mechanical device.

Work is generally on a nursing care unit office or classroom in a controlled environment; may be exposed to body fluids and cleaning chemicals; may be exposed to violent residents.