REGISTERED NURSE- WESTWOOD (FT Nights)

Riverside Healthcare is seeking a compassionate and skilled Registered Nurse (RN) to join our Assisted Living and Memory Care. The RN will be responsible for delivering high-quality, resident-centered care, with a special focus on individuals with memory impairments such as Alzheimers and dementia. This role involves collaborating with the healthcare team to develop and implement service plans, providing clinical oversight, and ensuring that residents receive the best possible care in a supportive and nurturing environment. Demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.

Essential Duties:

Resident Care:

• Assess residents' health needs and develop individualized service plans.
• Monitor residents' health conditions, including vital signs and medication effectiveness.
• Provide wound care, administer medications, and assist with other medical treatments as needed.
• Coordinate with physicians, families, and other healthcare providers regarding residents' health and service plans.

Medication Management:

• Administer medications according to prescribed schedules and document administration in the medical records within scope of practice. 
• Monitor residents for potential side effects or adverse reactions to medications.
• Ensure proper storage, handling, and disposal of medications in compliance with facility policies and regulations.

Supervision and Training:

• Oversee the work of nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and other staff.
• Provide training and support to staff on care protocols and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with healthcare regulations and health system policies.

Support to CNAs/NAs:

• Work collaboratively with Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)/Nursing Assistant (NAs) to ensure the delivery of high-quality care.
• Provide guidance and support to CNAs/NAs in their daily tasks and ensure care is provided according to the residents' service plans.

Resident Advocacy:

• Serve as a liaison between residents, their families, and healthcare providers.
• Advocate for residents' health and well-being, ensuring they receive appropriate care and respect.
• Address concerns or complaints from residents and families.

Documentation and Compliance:

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date medical records.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations governing assisted living facilities.
• Participate in inspections, audits, and quality improvement initiatives.

Emergency Response:

• Respond to medical emergencies and provide critical care when needed.
• Coordinate with emergency medical services (EMS) for transportation to hospitals if necessary.

Organizational 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.

Non Essential Duties

•   Community Engagement: Participate in resident activities and social events to foster a positive living environment.
•   Administrative Support: Assist with administrative duties, such as scheduling, supply inventory, and maintaining communication logs, as needed.
•   Professional Development: Engage in ongoing professional development opportunities, including attending workshops, training sessions, and
  maintaining continuing education requirements.

Preferred 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

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

Exposure to:

• 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.