RN Care Specialist

Provides management oversight for multiple nursing neighborhoods and assists the Director of Nursing as needed. Acts as a resource to staff regarding administrative programs, policies, and changes.  Promotes a collaborative approach with physicians and other health care disciplines.  Sets a positive example in performance, attitude, and adherence to policies and procedures.  Analyzes problems, offers recommendations, and demonstrates initiative in problem resolution.  Investigates unusual situations/incidents and takes appropriate follow-up action.  Identifies resident concerns and needs.   Communicates events requiring administrative attention to the Director of Nursing.  Recommends corrective action when problems are identified, taking immediate action when situation indicates.  Makes nursing inquiries for new and re-admits, which includes calling physicians, family, MSW and nursing staff, then logging all inquiries.  Collaborates with admitting personnel in the assigning of beds for admissions and/or transfer of patients.  Submits written communication that is clear, concise, and accurate.  Meets Corporate and department goals.  Is proactive in identifying key strategies for improvement. Empowers staff by promoting accountability, responsibility and authority to enhance resident care.  Conducts investigations of Incident occurrence including initiating anecdotes and contacting the staff at home and the agency as necessary as well as assisting the agency in their investigation.  Ensure that interventions are implemented and maintain a log of all incidents.  Assesses the staffing requirements and makes changes to ensure safe, quality resident care.  Evaluates/disciplines staff on his/her shift; notifies Director of Nursing of actions taken.  Forwards anecdotal notes or written reports as appropriate.  Provides counseling and guidance to employees as needed.  Develops and implements an ongoing infection prevention and control program to prevent, recognize, and control the onset and spread of infections in order to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment.  Establishes facility-wide systems for the prevention, identification, reporting, investigation, and control of infections and communicable diseases of residents, staff, and visitors.  Develops and implements written policies and procedures in accordance with current standards of practice and recognized guidelines for infection prevention and control.  Oversees the facility’s antibiotic stewardship program.  Oversees resident care activities that increase risk of infection (i.e., use and care of urinary catheters, wound care, incontinence care, skin care, point-of-care blood testing, and medication injections).  Leads the facility’s Infection and Prevention Control Committee.  Develops action plans to address opportunities for improvement.  Participates on the facility’s QAA Committee.  Implements an annual infection control risk assessment process and participates in the facility’s annual facility assessment review process.  Reviews and/or revises the facility’s infection prevention and control program, its standards, policies, and procedures annually and as needed for changes to the facility assessment to ensure they are effective and in accordance with current standards of practice for preventing and controlling infections.  Provides education related to infection prevention and control principles, policies, and procedures to staff, residents, and families (where appropriate).  Ensures public health is notified of reportable diseases.  Collaborates with other departments in fulfilling requirements related to occupational health and safety. (I.e. employee health).  Maintains documentation of infection prevention and control program activities.  Serve as a liaison between Bethesda lab and pharmacy & the Director of Nursing and staff nurses.  Impromptu rounds in the facility for keeping work areas clean and clear of obstacles, CNAs and CNs performing duties in a timely fashion and to assess resident care.  Weekend on call duties include: staffing, incident reporting, and troubleshooting issues that come up.  Occasionally when needed, attends care plan meetings with staff and family members.  Completes assigned section of MDS in a timely manner.  Monitors employees currently on Worker’s Compensation therapies or PT/OT/ST therapies and types up the notes and informs the Director of Nursing.  Monitors and makes rounds to assess care in the Restorative Nursing Program.  Coordinates program and monitors restorative staff.  Updates and maintains restorative records.  Maintain records and monitor reduction of restraints in the Restraint Reduction Program.  May be assigned other duties as appropriate.

 

Category: RN