GENERAL SUMMARY:
Under supervision of the Director of Nursing this position is responsible for coordinating and providing direct resident care and dispensing medications to residents under the supervision of a licensed nurse in a residential setting, in compliance with all local, State and Federal regulations and requirements.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Assumes responsibility for unit security including emergency procedures.
• Provides functional supervision of other PSS staff
• Responsible for the residents’ care and documentation in the electronic record.
• Accurately dispenses medications in accordance with facility policies and procedures.
• Ensures all aspects of safety and enforces safety rules and regulations.
• Reports any problems which may require immediate action or guidance from a licensed nurse.
• Maintain proper physical and emotional resident environment.
• Report and record observations to appropriate personnel and record appropriate written documentation in resident’s record.
• Provides assistance in personal hygiene including but not limited to bathing, dressing, shower/shampoo, hair sets, oral hygiene, manicures and pedicures EXCEPT on those residents who are diabetic.
• Waitressing in the dining room during meal times.
• Assists with body movement/mobility and ambulation.
• Assists with nutrition and elimination, including those residents on toileting plans.
• Assists in emergency situations to include fire and disaster drills.
• Provides general resident care in accordance with the residents’ individual service plan.
• Performs duties in accordance with the policies and procedures of facility.
• Turns and positions bed-fast residents if applicable, every two hours and as needed.
• Check residents at least every two hours and as needed.
• Performs restorative and rehabilitative procedures as directed in treatment book.
• Assure that the call system is within easy reach at all times to provide safe and easy access to call for assistance as needed.
• Assist other staff to move and/or lift residents as needed.
• Assist with postmortem care.
• Answer residents call lights promptly
• Assist residents in preparing for diagnostic testing, x-rays, therapy activities, physicians visits, religious services, etc., to include transporting residents to and from such activities
• Monitors resident’s vital signs and weight as specified
• Completes monthly nursing summaries on residents as assigned
• Transcribes and note written telephone orders, including faxed and standing orders signed by a physician or licensed practitioner, assist with doctor visits as needed
• Assists residents to and from scheduled activities and provide a current calendar of events
• Orients new staff
• Fills out and completes resident incident reports when needed
• Maintain confidentiality of all RESIDENTS and EMPLOYEES information to assure that all rights are protected.
• Must treat all residents with dignity and respect at all times.
• Must have a clear understanding of resident rights and abuse reporting policies and procedures.
• Must report any actual or suspicion of resident abuse to the department supervisor or other appropriate personnel.
• Responsible for following all facility safety policies and procedures and reporting any safety issues or concerns to the appropriate personnel.
• Must report all incidents and accidents immediately to the department supervisor or other appropriate personnel as required by established policies and procedures.
• Responsible for following all facility infection control policies and procedures.
• Responsible for following all established professional and personnel policies and procedures.
• Participate in all in-services and departmental meetings as required.
• Other miscellaneous duties as needed/requested.

Medication Administration Duties and Responsibilities:

• Recognize the seven (7) rights of medication administration.
• Administer medications as prescribed by the physician or licensed practitioner.
• Provide proper documentation of all medication administered.
• Understand the facilities medication administration policies and procedures.
• Verify the identification of a resident before administering medication.
• Perform change of shift count of scheduled/count drugs.
• Release medication to resident and/or responsible party when going out
• Order medication from the pharmacy.
• Routine cleaning and restocking of med cart, report to ward clerk if dressing supplies are low.
• Follow appropriate procedure for infection control.
• Continuous monitoring of medication administration system to provide a safeguard against potential errors.
• General knowledge of pharmacodynamics for each drug category and adequate knowledge of all medications administered.
• Proper non-sterile dressing changes, nebulizer/inhalation treatments, insulin and oxygen administration as ordered on MAR and in treatment book.
• Checks refrigerator temperature and records on temperature log @ start and end of each day.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Promotes and maintains positive community relations.
• Maintains current knowledge of trends and practices in the field through peer association, attendance at seminars, study, and review of literature.
• Attends all mandatory in-services.
• Reports any workplace safety concerns to Supervisor immediately.
• Performs other related duties as required.

SKILLS/EXPERIENCE/TRAINING REQUIRED:

• High School diploma or the equivalent.
• Successful completion of an approved CRMA course, and recertification as required by State regulations.
• Current Basic Life Support Certification.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant.
• Must possess the ability to deal professionally with personnel, residents, families, visitors, government agencies and the general public.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• This position is responsible for the functional supervision of any PSS or C.N.A on unit during the shift.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Work is performed primarily in a nursing home environment, which is generally not subject to extremes in temperature, odors, etc.
• Stands, sits and walks most of the working day.
• Must be able to push, pull or lift up to fifty (50) pounds.
• Uses computer keyboards requiring eye/hand coordination and finger dexterity.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

*External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case by case basis.