17/09/2015
Staff nurse positions available:
Role: To fully ensure to the best of the staff nurses ability that the safety, welfare and health of the residents in the nursing home is maintained to a suitably high standard by assessing the changing needs of the residents, implementing care plans and by delivering a person centred philosophy of care.
Scope: Responsible to the Person In charge, Director of Nursing, Assistant Director of Nursing, the CNM on duty & the Registered Provider
Duties & Responsibilities relating to Clinical Practice:
1. Ensure that care is delivered in an individualised manner, and promote patient centeredness as being at the core of the delivery of care.
2. Be entirely knowledgeable of the up to date status of health and wellness of all of the staff nurses allocated residents, and be able to relay any updates to GPs and family members.
3. Using the nursing process, assess, plan, implement and evaluate nursing care in collaboration with the patient and family, ensuring the quality of care needs meets the required standards.
4. Ensure in the event of illness or a change in the condition of a resident’s health, that action is taken to reduce the impact of deterioration of the resident, and that management is informed and that family members are informed either in person or by phone. Communicate the change in care plan to the health care team, and ensure the new care plan is implemented for the shift.
5. Ensure that Best Practice is maintained in relation to any clinical matters that fall within the scope of the nursing team for example: Medication Management, Infection Control, Elder Abuse Prevention, Communication, Fire Safety, Manual Handling, Nutrition and Hydration, Wound Care, Mobility Plans, Psychological Care etc ( this list is not exhaustive).
6. To administer medication in accordance with NMBI Code of Practice, and to be aware at all times of the reasons for specific drugs being prescribed, and the possible side effects of those drugs
7. To manage wounds and skin care by following current best practice guidelines. To have up to date knowledge of best practice in wound care and to be knowledgeable about the type of dressings in use within the home. To assess wounds and to plan and implement wound care based on sound nursing judgement and expertise.
8. To follow Nursing Home policies and procedures in relation to record keeping, the staff nurse needs to follow the Code of Conduct and guidelines set down by NMBI in relation to contemporaneous, detailed report writing.
9. Before leaving at the end of the shift, the staff nurse should give a full, detailed and comprehensive report to the staff taking the next shift, including any and all of the specifics relating to the current needs of the residents. The report should not merely focus only on the most recent shift, but should include any recent events from recent days. The report should also include any instructions that may be required to be communicated on behalf of the DON / ADON / CNM.
10. To be aware of any changes made in the care plan either by the doctor, or by the DON / ADON / CNM, and to ensure that those changes are implemented, and their efficacy is evaluated.
11. To plan the duties of the staff nurse in a time effective manner, ensuring that each critical task is afforded sufficient time in order to adhere to a high standard of patient care.
12. To have up to date knowledge and skills in relation to Emergency Life Support, (choking / respiratory failure / cardiac arrest / CVA) and how to manage those events according to each residents care plan.
13. To assist on the floor with direct resident care, and to work collaboratively with the health care assistants as part of the health care team. To adopt a hands on approach with all staff so as to encourage team work amongst all staff members.
14. To carry out primary nursing duties to the group of residents that may be allocated to the staff nurse. The list of specific duties prescribed under this remit is available from the CNM.
15. To be aware of any resident where a risk has been identified (elopement / challenging behaviour / falls / infection) and how to manage those risks specific to the individual residents care plan.
16. To be aware of the resuscitation status of each resident, and what the correct plan of care, specific to that resident, in the event of an unplanned event.
General Senior Staff Responsibilities
17. Demonstrate at all times the best practice in delivery of patient care and be aware that as the registered nurse on duty the role of the staff nurse is to lead, teach, and assess the delivery of care given by the health care assistant team.
18. To attend any and all education and training courses that have been allocated for the staff nurse in order to improve their knowledge and expertise; to bring back the information received at training days and disseminate it amongst fellow colleagues.
19. To participate in the orientation process of any new employees, make them feel welcome and to assist them in adjusting to their new environment. To mentor and teach any new employee that may be allocated to the staff nurse.
20. In association with the DON /ADON / CNM, assist in the completion of assessments of all staff on orientation, should it be requested.
21. To be aware of what other events may be occurring around the house, not specific to direct patient care, (house keeping / infection control / health and safety) and to take a supervisory / management perspective in ensuring to the best of the staff nurses ability that standards are maintained and that safety procedures are adhered to.
22. To recognise where one’s own nursing competencies in any area need to be improved and to bring those deficits to the attention of the DON / ADON. To be self reflective and acknowledge where further education and training may be beneficial so as to avoid any compromise in care delivery.
23. Communicate to DON / ADON about any staff member where it might be deemed more training is required in order to maintain standards.
24. Deputising for the ADON / CNM in their absence in all aspects of managing the home, not specifically, but possibly in relation to staff conflicts, staff management, monitoring all staffs effectiveness and work delivery and general running of the shift. Any disciplinary or grievance issues should be referred to management.
25. Be able to deal with, where possible, any complaint made, in the absence of the DON / ADON / CNM / Complaints Officer and inform management of any complaint, and complete a complaint form in a comprehensive and coherent manner.
Duties & Responsibilities relating to Administrative duties:
26. Assume the position of staff member in charge in the absence of the DON / ADON / CNM.
27. Be aware of and how to implement The Emergency Plan in the event of any emergency event arising. Communicate any emergency immediately to management by using the contact details in The Emergency Plan.
28. Ensure policies and procedures are followed in line with best practice as per ANH Healthcare Ltd’s policies and procedures.
29. Being aware of all responsibilities in relation to HIQA, reporting and managing any notifiable incidents (serious injury to a resident / allegation of elder abuse / elopement etc). All HIQA notifications must be completed and signed off by DON / Proprietor prior to submission.
30. Ensuring that all procedures are carried out correctly with the death of a resident, and all paperwork is completed correctly, and the required personnel are informed.
31. Ensuring that all procedures are carried out correctly in the event of an admission of a new resident, including care planning, documentation and admission procedures and the required personnel are informed as per the duties of the admitting nurse ( see checklist).
32. Ensure that any stock item, required for resident care is in supply, and if any item is noted to be running short ( 5 days supply or less) that it is ordered / brought to the attention of the ADON / CNM.
33. Ensure all financial issues or queries are referred to management.
34. As per the primary nursing duties, review care plans and assessments no later than every four months.
35. Undertake training courses as approved by management.
36. Ensure the upkeep and maintenance of the Resident’s Register and EpicCare when any resident is admitted, transferred or discharged.
37. Should any piece of equipment be noted to be defective, the staff nurse should record the item in the maintenance book and highlight it as urgent, so as to ensure that health and safety is maintained for all.
38. Ensure that the home maintains a healthy and clean environment, and that any defects are brought to the attention of management.
39. Take the role of advocate for any new resident, and be aware of the difficult process that moving to a nursing home is for any new resident. Be aware of the psychological and emotional needs of new residents.
40. Attend all staff meetings that the staff nurse has been notified of and has been requested to attend.
41. To have a flexible attitude where required to change a shift at short notice to cover in the event of sickness or absence of a colleague in order to avoid the employment of agency staff.
42. Undertake staff appraisals when required, in association with the DON / ADON / CNM.
43. Ensure thorough knowledge of the nursing homes Emergency Plan, Residents Guide and Statement of Purpose.
44. Undertaking other duties as necessary.
45. Complete an email at weekends to be sent to management informing the management team as to the status of any unwell residents / staff shortages / problems being experienced in the nursing home.
Interested please forward your CV to rodrigo@nursing-jobs.ie
