Clinical Resource Nurse

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Clinical Resource Nurse is responsible for the implementation of health-related programs, services, and activities that enhance, promote, and maintain resident health independence. Under the direction of the Director of Nursing, Clinical Resource Nurse will supervise the facility and provide hands-on care when indicated. In addition, the Clinical Resource Nurse will maintain departmental schedules and records in order to assure compliance with guidelines, rules, and regulations of the facility’s governing board and/or licensing agencies.

Specifically, the Clinical Resource Nurse:

1. Conducts comprehensive resident assessment and develops a plan of care based on that assessment which is consistent with medical recommendations; directs the Nursing Assistants in meeting the nursing needs of the residents based on the written care plan.

2. Updates the resident care plan as necessary and at least quarterly.

3. Observes and records pertinent symptoms, reactions, and progress of the residents, notifying the Director of Nursing or his/her designee, attending physician and other members of the multi-disciplinary team as appropriate.

4. Recognizes special needs of the elderly and/or disabled and therefore ensures a safe environment at all times to protect the resident, self, and staff from injury.

5. Observes professional decorum.

6. Encourages/supports a wellness lifestyle for each resident.

7. Implements and directs restorative nursing care as appropriate for each resident to achieve and maintain the highest level of care and independence.

8. Participates with the interdisciplinary team in the coordination of all patient care needs and services.

9. Coordinates physician visits, routine laboratory/diagnostic work, communication with other health professionals and families, including required documentation.

10. Monitors nursing QA indicators of quality care/services, including infection control surveillance and prevention.

11. Performs nursing procedures consistent with education, training, experience, and the policies and procedures of the facility, as well as the rules and regulations of the Virginia Board of Nursing.

12. Seeks further education and training as needed to update and maintain skills required to render quality care.

13. Acts on behalf of the Director of Nursing Services when designated and when the Director of Nursing Services or his/her designee (RN) is otherwise absent or unable to perform his/her duties.

14. Monitors inventory of supplies, equipment, and stationery.

15. Reports to the Director of Nursing Servies designee or facility Administrator when the Director of Nursing Services is absent.

16. Must be able to lift a minimum of 45 lbs. and to bend, crawl, stoop, push, and lift in order to deliver care and services as needed.

17. Practices safety procedures and complies with established reporting of accidents and injuries.

18. Makes rounds in the nursing center at least twice during the shift and in the dining room during meals noting condition of residents, nursing practice, and environmental and safety conditions, addresses any deficiencies noted.

19. Takes vitals and assesses any resident who is admitted, going out to the hospital or experiencing acute illness and any resident incident concerns. Reviews 24-hour report and follows up on any resident incidents. Notifies on-call Director of Nursing and/or Assistant Director of Nursing of all residents requiring hospitalization.

20. Reviews daily new order logs, nurse aid communication notebook, wound assessments, fall assessments, 24-hour report, incident reports, Health Leap/Care Plan assignment reports and attends change of shift reports to assess resident care needs and staff performance. Personally assesses those residents identified at risk and reviews documentation and/or documents chart as appropriate, reassigns staff as needed to ensure care needs are met, and communicates all concerns to Supervisor.

21. Assists the staff with providing direct resident care as needed and emergency service to residents, including medication administration, feeding, dressing, toileting, etc., to ensure resident care needs are met.

22. Communicates in a timely manner to the Supervisor or Manager on Duty any resident, family, and staff concerns. In the absence of the Director of Nursing or when requested, meets with residents, families, and staff as necessary and assists the Manager on Duty with facility concerns as appropriate.

23. Supervises the facility’s system of medication administration by observing medication passes and monitoring compliance with facility policies and procedures.

24. Participates with the interdisciplinary care team in the coordination of all resident services.

25. Schedules nursing staff based on facility staffing plan and covers the nursing schedule when call-offs occur and notifies the on-call Nursing Supervisor and/or Director of Nursing as appropriate if unable to cover the schedule.

26. Utilizes all forms, records, charts and reports required and desirable in the provision of quality health care.

27. Conducts or coordinates comprehensive resident assessments with subsequent development of a realistic plan of care consistent with resident needs and medical recommendations in a timely manner in conjunction with the Director of Nursing Services.

28. Collects data and completes MDS documentation and other forms for the review and signature of the Director of Nursing or his/her designee.

29. Coordinates with nursing staff physician visits, health screening of staff, special diet and tray service requests, overnight visitations, sign out by residents, OT/PT/ST or other visits, health programming, and classes.

30. Ensures snacks and nutritional supplements in the nursing center are given at designated times.

31. Assists in the development and presentation of health-related and wellness programming for facility residents and staff.

32. Supervises and serves as a resource person for nursing services.

33. Assists in the development, periodic review and evaluation of nursing policies and procedures including job descriptions for each level of nursing personnel as directed by the Director of Nursing Services.

34. Participates in performance evaluations and counseling sessions of nursing assistants and licensed nurses.

35. Observes and protects residents’ rights including rights of confidentiality, privacy, and dignity.

36. Practices safety procedures and complies with established reporting of accidents and injuries. Investigates Workers’ Compensation incidents and provides case management services for any employee injured on the job.

37. Performs any other related duties that may be assigned.

38. Performs any other related duties that may be assigned.