The position will directly supervise nursing staff as assigned and assist with scheduling, an on-call rotation one time a month and training of new employees. The position will provide support to Director of Nursing and provide coverage as acting Director of Nursing as needed.

Must have Iowa License for LPN or RN. Supervisory experience preferred.
 

Duties:

• Reviews individual health care plans according to Empowering Abilities' policy and procedure.

• Evaluates goals on written health care plan based on the assessment of individuals, within physician’s orders and with consultation of Director of Nursing.

• Provides nursing care according to physician’s orders and in accordance with recognized nursing techniques and procedures, Empowering Abilities' policy and procedures, and applicable regulations.

• Administers medication and performs treatments in accordance with physician’s orders, nursing practice standards, and Empowering Abilities' policy and procedure.

• Properly applies all safety, positioning, prosthetic, and orthotic devises.

• Maintains accurate, complete and timely records of nursing observations, care and services provided; health and medical status, and routine medical care.

• Receives, transcribes, and implements physician’s orders.

• Assists in admitting, transferring, and discharging individuals as assigned.

• Recognizes and interprets symptoms: assesses medical needs and obtains care as appropriate.

• Responds appropriately to emergency situations. Participates in drills as assigned.

• Orders and receives new and renewal medications from pharmacy.

• Directs/monitors direct care staff performance of specified treatments.

• Documents all physician’s visits, lab work done, and reports phoned/or faxed to physicians.

• Maintains knowledge of proficiency in operational mechanics of all medical equipment in use.

• Monitors quarterly assessment documentation

• Only gives medicines set up by self.

• Only uses properly identified medications received from the pharmacy

• Assists nurse at day program when needed.

• Prepares medication to be sent to day programs, school or camp.

• Schedules appointments as needed, communicates with Medical Advocates.

• Knows or looks up information about all medications and interactions with other medications.

• Follows five rights when giving medications.

• Follows medication program with individuals.

• Reports and error immediately to the Director of Nursing. Immediately fills out medication error form.

• Informs doctors, guardians/parents, school and/or day programming of individual’s change in condition as appropriate. Documents all communications.

• Keeps chemical restraint orders current.

• Completes General Event Records, when applicable.

• Alerts kitchen when individuals are ill and informs of any special diet orders or changes.

• Informs Dietary Services Supervisor of lab values.

• Identifies and reports concerns with dietary policies and procedures and adaptive feeding equipment.

• Documents and reports physical and/or behavioral changes to appropriate personnel.

• Notifies parents/guardians according to Empowering Abilities' guidelines.

• Assists in taking baseline information or gathering other data as basis for treatment and program plans.

• Assists with or performs bathing, dressing, skin and hair care, positioning, feeding and other activities of daily living as assigned.

• Maintains work area, including participants’ rooms in a clean manner.

• Performs proper cleaning, maintenance, and storage of individuals’ personal belongings as assigned.

• Maintains safe, healthy environment, reporting hazards or damage to physical environment or adaptive equipment.

• Follows infection control policies and procedures.

• Sends appropriate equipment and supplies with individuals leaving the facility to ensure continuity of programming and care during absence.

• Communicates with individuals, Empowering Abilities' personnel, volunteers, families and the public in a courteous, professional manner, always maintaining confidentiality.

• Gives and receives reports on assigned individuals’ conditions, communicating all pertinent information necessary to provide continuity of care.

• Attends all meetings, trainings, or committees as assigned.

• Provides direct supervision to Certified Medication Aides.

• Assumes on call duties one weekend per month and during the absence of the Director of Nursing.

• Assists with scheduling.

• Assists with entering new orders and related paperwork.

• Assists with training of new employees.

• Completes Performance Notices as needed.

• Monitors caseloads to ensure paperwork is completed in a timely manner.

• Maintains and upgrades professional knowledge by attending appropriate CEU’s as directed by Iowa Board of Nursing.

Follows HIPAA and confidentiality policies.

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Knowledge and Abilities:

Ability to communicate well

Ability to be positive, caring, calm, cooperative, understanding, tactful, and pleasant

Ability to meet employment requirements (i.e. physical exam, TB test)

Ability to lift from floor/carry/transfer individuals and adaptive equipment in excess of 50 pounds

Ability to withstand exposure to usual diseases and conditions associated with individuals with disabilities

Ability to carry/escort individuals in excess of 50 pounds and utilize behavior techniques during behavior problems

Ability to use nursing process of observation, interpretation, assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation to meet the needs of each individual

Ability to accurately receive, transcribe, and implement physician’s orders

Ability to document accurately

Knowledge and Abilities Cont.:

Ability to work with and communicate with a wide variety of people, professional and otherwise

Ability to respond quickly and effectively in emergency situations

Ability to use computer to navigate and enter information into web-based software and perform basic functions related to computer use (i.e. keyboarding, email, data entry)

Ability to understand and follow the policies and procedures of Empowering Abilities

Ability to work a variety of shifts.

Training and Experience:

• Graduate of accredited school of nursing.
• Licensed to practice in the state of Iowa (LPN or RN).
• Supervisory Experience is preferred.

* Denotes essential functions of the position.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so employed.

Revised 11/23