POSITION SUMMARY

This role is embodies both a hands-on nursing approach, as well as providing leadership and coordination of the health and well being of the residents within the community in coordination with the DHW. This position also assists in the responsibility of the development and implementation of the personal care staff schedule. Handles call offs while working at the community and is responsible for finding the appropriate staff to replace, as needed. The Wellness Nurse will assist in training and monitoring of medication administration and care. The Wellness Nurse will communicate with residents/families, ancillary support services and primary care practitioners as required for resident care needs. The Wellness Nurse will take an active role in maintaining quality assurance and improvement while leading and demonstrating the mission of Discovery in accordance with federal, state and local regulations to promote the highest quality of care and services to our residents.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are normal for this position. This list is not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Works with DHW and assists as assigned with those duties
• Creates and posts a timely schedule for all personal care staff with DHW approval.
• Responsible to fill any call offs while ensuring proper staffing levels.
• Steps in to fill a staff vacancy if unable to fill through other staff members.
• Ensures that community follows all federal, state, local laws and regulations as it pertains to clinical care.
• Partners with Director of Health and Wellness and other team members to analyze and maintain all resident and team member health safety.
• Identifies ongoing needs and services of residents through the assessment/ Service Plan in collaboration with DHW
• Partners with other department coordinators to identify, review, and discuss potential change in levels of care and service needs
• Maintains communications with resident’s family and/or responsible party regarding changes in care or health concerns.
• Reviews service plan to learn pertinent information about residents.
• Assists/observes medications and treatments for each resident using the medication observation record in accordance with state medication administration regulations
• Maintains confidentiality of all resident information including resident medication.
• Helps residents maintain independence; promotes dignity and physical safety of each resident.
• Strives to understand and respond to each resident with empathy, always remaining mindful of the resident’s unique communication patterns, history and basic human needs.
• Practices routinely good standard care precautions of cleanliness, hygiene and health standards that include disposal and handling of biohazard waste.
• Notifies Director of Health Care of any resident and/or family concerns.
• Actively participates in change of shift reporting of pertinent information.
• Participates in the development of the Service Plan and monthly updates.
• Addresses all accidents/incidents immediately and completes incident report.
• Addresses all unsafe and hazardous conditions/equipment immediately.
• Addresses occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, sharp sticks and hazardous chemicals immediately.
• Assists in weekly care note documentation in coordination with DHW and MCD.
• Ensures proper follow through assessment and documentation for residents with a change in condition/MD and RP notification.
• Assists in conducting resident assessments and/or documentation at time of move-in, as required.
• Attend and participate in monthly staff meetings.
• Provide education and training with DHW approval, as required for the evening and night shift staff.
• Meet weekly with DHW and MCD to review any changes and ensure follow up of any care needs or training requirements of staff for quality assurance and improvement.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Maintains current state license as a Licensed Professional Nurse or a Professional Registered Nurse per state regulations.
• Experience in assisted living, home health or long-term care industries.
• Two (2) years experience as a Licensed Nurse preferred
• One (1) year nursing management experience preferred
• Must demonstrate competence in assessment skills, injections/medication administration, follow up and triage.
• Language Ability:
• Mathematical Skills:
• Cognitive Demands:
• Computer Skills:
  • Proficiency in computer skills, Microsoft Office and ability to learn new applications.
• Competencies:
  • Must demonstrate an interest in working with a senior population.
• Works primarily indoors in a climate-controlled setting.
• Team Members may be exposed to blood and/or body fluids with potential exposure to hazardous materials and infectious diseases.
• Possible exposure to unpleasant odors.
• Possible exposure to chemicals as identified in the MSDS Manual.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Educational Requirements and Experience :

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

* Ability to communicate effectively speaking the primary language of the residents. 
* Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. 
* Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. 

* Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. 

* Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. 

* Interacts with guests, residents and staff in a courteous and friendly manner. 
* Responds promptly to resident needs. 

ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTABILITY

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the Team Member is regularly required to stand and walk. The Team Member is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The Team Member is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 50 pounds independently and up to 100 pounds with assistance of a second employee and/or mechanical devices. Must be able to push up to 350 lb. (wheelchair). Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.