Registered Nurse

Northern Light A.R. Gould Department: Long Term Care Unit Position is located: Aroostook Health Center-Mars Hill, ME Work Type: PRN Hours Per Week: As Needed Work Schedule: No Hours Assigned Summary: The Registered Nurse Lead in the Nursing Department, under the direction of the Director of Nursing, plans, implements, and evaluates nursing care to ensure quality and efficiency of services while maintaining established standards. The Lead is responsible and has the authority to make clinical care assignments to staff/caregivers on a daily basis. This includes management of sick calls, managing the orientation of new staff, serving as the administrator on duty in house in the absence of the Director of Nursing, and assessing and evaluating staff competency, within their scope of practice. The Lead facilitates patient activities based on hand off communication/report at the beginning and end of each shift, insuring tests and procedures are completed, and physician is notified of abnormal results. He/She proactively coordinates admissions/transfer placements to accommodate maximum census and optimal services, within Staffing Matrix guidelines. The Lead is aware of, contributes to, and able to apply/resource all organizational policies and procedures is knowledgeable and proficiently serves as a clinical resource for questions regarding proper patient care, manages all resident and family complaints, and assists with clinical procedures. He/she must be adequately prepared by experience and training to care for cases ranging in acuity from non-urgent to life threatening and from minor injuries to major trauma. He/she must demonstrate an ability to cope with a variety of clinical care situations while displaying calm and demonstrate recognition of the value and dignity of the individual without regard to the nature of the illness/injury or the circumstances leading to same. The Lead is expected to participate in all aspects of nursing clinical care including meeting RN clinical competency, medication administration, direct clinical care, and delegation consistent with Board of Nursing requirements. Responsibilities: 1. Provide direct clinical care to a variety of skilled and long-term care patients/residents. 2. Assess patients according to established guidelines, and assign appropriate staff based on patient needs and staffing matrix. 3. Manage sick calls, staffing shortages, staffing overages, and special assignments, as needed, in collaboration with the Nursing Supervisor or Manager. 4. Assess patient's physical and psychosocial needs and implement a plan of care to address the needs. 5. Transcribe/implement physician orders in a timely and efficient manner. 6. Assess patient/significant other education needs and provide instruction as appropriate. 7. Participate in department quality improvement activities as needed. 8. Comply with mandated hospital and department education programs. Assist in the delivery of programs as requested. 9. Assist with orientation of new employees, including evaluation of competency, orientation checklists, 90-day eval, etc. 10. Accept responsibility for professional growth and development. 11. Support Risk Management and Infection Control programs. 12. Demonstrate a commitment to the philosophy and objectives of the organization. 13. Will need to provide care to patients to include, assessments, medication pass, and daily care based on the needs of the residents and unit. 14. Maintain a safe environment complying with NLH policies and procedures; report and directly address environmental hazards and violations of patient safety policy and/or protocol when involved or observed. 15. Support and evaluate emergency preparedness drills while on duty (e.g.: Fire alarms, evacuation, missing person, etc.). 16. Assist in the ordering and management of supplies and equipment as needed. 17. Participate in recruitment of new staff, including performing interviews as requested. Other Information: BLS Required. Competencies and Skills Behaves with Integrity and Builds Trust: Acts consistently in line with the core values, commitments and rules of conduct. Leads by example and tells the truth. Does what they say they will, when and how they say they will, or communicates an alternate plan. Cultivates Respect: Treats others fairly, embraces and values differences, and contributes to a culture of diversity, inclusion, empowerment and cooperation. Fosters Accountability: Creates and participates in a work environment where people hold themselves and others accountable for processes, results and behaviors. Takes appropriate ownership not only of successes but also mistakes and works to correct them in a timely manner. Demonstrates understanding that we all work as a team and the quality and timeliness of work impacts everyone involved. Practices Compassion: Exhibits genuine care for people and is available and ready to help; displays a deep awareness of and strong willingness to relieve the suffering of others. Credentials Required Registered Nurse Education Required Associate's Degree Working Conditions Potential exposure to abusive and/or aggressive people. Potential exposure to diseases or infections. Need to drive to perform responsible duties. Potential exposure to hazardous materials. Potential exposure to noise levels being uncomfortable. Potential exposure to noxious odors. Potential exposure to very hot or cold temperatures. Work with computers, typing, reading or writing. Lifting, moving and loading 20 to 30 pounds. Prolonged periods of sitting. Alternate shift schedules (day, evening, nights, weekends). Prolonged periods of standing. Prolonged periods of walking.