REGISTERED NURSE (TR/PRN)

Riverside Medical Center is seeking a dedicated and experienced Registered Nurse (RN) to join our Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) team. The Registered Nurse (RN) in a skilled nursing facility is responsible for providing high-quality nursing care to residents, managing patient care plans, and coordinating with interdisciplinary team members to ensure optimal outcomes. This role involves direct patient care, assessment, and oversight, as well as compliance with facility policies and regulatory standards. Demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure. This will be on on-campus position. 

Essential Duties:

Direct Patient Care:

• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate nursing care for residents in accordance with individualized care plans within scope of practice. 
• Administer medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians and document all care activities accurately within scope of practice.
• Monitor and manage resident health conditions, including vital signs, symptoms, and responses to treatments.
• Provide wound care, IV therapy, and other specialized nursing interventions as needed.

Care Coordination:

• Collaborate with physicians, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement comprehensive care plans.
• Coordinate care with interdisciplinary team members, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, and social workers.
• Communicate effectively with residents and their families regarding care plans, treatment options, and progress.

Documentation and Compliance:

• Maintain accurate and detailed records of resident care, including assessments, interventions, and outcomes.
• Ensure documentation complies with facility policies, regulatory standards, and accreditation requirements.
• Participate in audits and reviews to ensure adherence to best practices and quality standards.

Quality Improvement:

• Participate in quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient care and safety.
• Identify and report any issues or incidents that may affect the quality of care or patient safety.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to improve care delivery.

Education and Support:

• Provide education and support to residents and their families regarding health management, treatment plans, and preventive care.
• Mentor and guide less experienced nursing staff and assist with training new employees.
• Promote a positive and supportive environment for both residents and staff.

Emergency Response:

• Respond promptly and effectively to medical emergencies and changes in resident conditions.
• Implement emergency protocols and procedures as needed to ensure resident safety and well-being.
• Report and document any emergencies or incidents according to facility policies.

Administrative Duties:

• Assist with scheduling and managing nursing staff to ensure adequate coverage and effective care delivery.
• Participate in staff meetings, care conferences, and other facility-related activities.
• Contribute to the development and review of care policies and protocols.

Organization Compliance:

• Adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including those related to infection control, safety, abuse, neglect, and resident privacy (HIPAA).
• Mentor and guide less experienced nursing staff and assist with training new employees.
• Promote a positive and supportive environment for both residents and staff.
• Regularly complete all assigned training modules and courses within the Learning Management System (LMS) to stay up to date on required skills, policies, and industry standards.

Required Experience:

• Strong clinical assessment and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact compassionately with residents, families, and staff.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
•  Proficiency in electronic medical records (EMR) and basic computer skills.
•  Knowledge of state and federal regulations governing assisted living facilities

Preferred Experience

• Minimum of two years of acute care nursing experience preferred.

Required Licensure/Education:

• Graduate of an approved school of nursing
• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of Illinois
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required

Preferred Education:

• Professional nursing certification in the area of specialty is preferred

Employee Health Requirements

• Chemicals: Refer to MSDS sheets
• Video Display Terminals: Average
• Blood and Body Fluids: Diagnostic composite of patients, frequent contact with intravenous devices, and high potential for contact with contaminated body fluids (blood, stool, vomitus) and administration of blood does create a high risk. use of needleless IV system, universal precautions and protective equipment minimize risk.
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Patient diagnostic presentations do pose high risk; however, usage of protective wear, appropriate size TB mask from fit test and universal precautions reduces risk.

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Required to communicate with patient/families/staff/doctors, coworkers, ancillary personnel and other department heads. Ability to ask for help. 
• Vision: Required to observe patients and their physical assessment, ability to read reports, ability to read machines.
• Smell: Helpful to note presence of incontinence, vomitus, blood; electrical/fire safety. 
• Hearing: Necessary to hear alarms, calls for help and to hear patient verbalizations; ability to listen for lung, bowel, heart sounds.
• Touch: Necessary to assess patients, need to distinguish between hot and cold.

Activity/Lifting Requirements:

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 10%
• Twist: 4%
• Stand: 40%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 25%
• Kneel: 1%
• Lift: 10%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 1%
• Climb: 1%
• Bend: 30%
• Reach above shoulders: 3%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 20 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 35 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 60 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required
• Over 100lbs: Not Required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements:

• Lifting of patients off their beds that are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment.
• Horizontal movement of patients to and from carts/beds who are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment.
• Lifting equipment - carry 25'- 150' waist high (IV bags, patient trays).
• Carry charts 25'- 150' waist high. Filled laundry bags are filled half full so as not to weigh over 35 lbs.
• Carry fire extinguishers up or down 3-4 flights of stairs and several yards in an emergency.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 30
• Twist: 15
• Stand: 60
• Crawl: 0
• Walk: 10
• Kneel: 0
• Lift: 5
• Drive: 0
• Squat: 2
• Climb: 1
• Bend: 15
• Reach above shoulders: 2

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated):

• Simple grasp 10 lbs. Normal weight - Up to 5lbs
• Pushing & pulling - 50-200 lbs: Occasionally
• Fine Manipulation: Typing in computer, medical/supply dispensing cabinet, using pens to chart, drawing up meds in syringe and administration, starting IV's.

Leg Strength: Up to 50 lbs: Occasionally- (repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: utilized in positioning beds during transport; x-ray, surgery or in an emergency situation from floor to floor, locking beds or cardiac chairs.

Environmental Factors and Special Hazards:

• Inside hours: 6-40
• Outside hours: 0
• Temperature: Normal Range
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average
• Humidity: Normal Range
• Atmosphere: Odors

Special Hazards: Chemicals: Drugs/work with patients receiving chemotherapy-Explosive-oxygen; Radiation-cesium implants and radioactive iodine therapy direct radiation for radiology equipment; mechanical- use of Hoover lift bed scales, motorized wheelchairs, bathtub lift chair.

Protective Clothing Required: As required for chemotherapy or in cases of isolation, i.e. gloves, gowns, masks, goggles.