Nursing Staff - Job Descriptions - Quick Links
Nurse Supervisor II	Nurse Supervisor I	Nurse Clinician or Nurse Specialist
Registered Nurse (RN)	Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)	Certified Medication Aide (RTW/CMA)
Resident Treatment Worker (RTW/CNA)	Nursing Unit Coordinator (NUC)
Orientation & Preceptor Program	Staff Education	Nursing Philosophy

Job Descriptions 

There are many opportunities for health service providers at the Iowa Veterans Home.  The nursing department offers employment in a variety of nursing positions which include:  Nursing Supervisors I & II, Nurse Clinician, Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Certified Medication Aide, Resident Treatment Worker, Resident Aide/Utility Worker and Nursing Unit Coordinator.

Nurse Supervisor II

• Under the direction of the Unit Manager, has 24 hour accountability for nursing personnel in the management of health care delivery
• With the direction of the NS2, the NS1 will direct, monitor, and evaluate designated ancillary staff so that performance and productivity are optimized.  This includes evaluations, staff meetings, work rules, grievance procedures, investigations, documentation, and effective communication
• Under the direction of the NS2, the NS1 participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of long and short-term planning for the department and agency so there is effective operation of the unit and quality patient care.  This includes monitoring resident care planning, medication reviews, clinical indicators, incident reports and work injuries.  It also involves facilitating team function; participation in research and goal setting and monitoring clinical competencies.  The NS1 will practice and promote fiscal responsibility; remain knowledgeable of care delivery models; regulatory requirements; and current staffing trends, needs, and issues for unit, shift, and department.
• The NS1 assists the NS2 in facilitating and participating in clinical coverage; provides crisis intervention and conflict resolution; is a Nursing Department liaison to others; and plans, conducts, and documents assigned meetings.
• In cooperation with the NS2, the NS1 will utilize resources so that available programs/assistance are provided for staff.  This includes assuring that established standards of care are met; assuring clinical competence in the assistive staff; and ensuring a safe work environment.  This involves oversight of and participation in the orientation of new employees; participation in the identification and correction of cited deficits; monitoring staff and resident satisfaction and acting as their advocate; participating in a Continuous Quality Improvement program for the unit; and assisting with the identification of knowledge deficits, planning and presenting education and inservices to the staff
• The NS1 will participate in activities of professional growth so that current skills and knowledge are enhanced.  This includes participation in research and applicability to nursing practice, literature review, education, and inservices.  This also includes membership and participation in Nursing Department Committees.  Under the direction of the NS2, the NS1 performs special projects as assigned so that unit goals are met 

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Nurse Clinician or Nurse Specialist 

Collaboration

• Collaborates with other VA healthcare settings, hospitals, or nursing homes to ensure continuity of care with admission, transfer, or discharge.
• Promotes effective communication among healthcare team members, resident/family, and outside agencies
• Participates in team meetings when indicated.
• Provides routine verbal and written documentation of assessments and progress related to plan of care.
• Provides collaboration with purchasing of needed equipment to provide care for residents.
• When appropriate, aids the IRCC team and resident/family with discharge planning, including home/alternate living assessment, community services, and assessment of needed equipment.
• Collaborates with facility Wheelchair Clinic so that rehab principles are implemented and adhered to.
• Serves as a liaison with nursing and Rehab Services so that resident's individual care planning is carried out.

Establishment of Plans of Care

• Establishes realistic goals to achieve optimal outcomes for the resident.  This is done in collaboration with the resident/family, IRCC team, available therapies, and with exploration of available resources.
• Assists the resident/family and IRCC team to identify the variables that may influence the accomplishment of goals.
• Assists the IRCC team in developing a comprehensive plan that includes restorative, maintenance, and prevention rehabilitation principles

Implementation

• Provides ongoing assessment of the resident.
• Coordinates access to alternative care options/settings when appropriate.
• Coordinates access to appropriate government and community resources when appropriate.
• Provides instruction to the resident/family based on identified learning needs.
• In collaboration with the IRCC team, explores and facilitates discharge planning and education.
• Oversight given, through case review, to the application of nursing process (including critical thinking) and nursing/medical management of resident care

Assessments and data collection

• Reviews and analyzes resident information in consultation with resident/family, IRCC team, or    legal representative.
• Assesses the resident's personal and medical history, current status, diagnosis, and current    treatment plan.
• Assesses the resident's/family's learning needs related to health status, diagnosis, treatment    options, psychosocial needs and coping mechanisms.
• Assesses and reviews pain control plans related to individual rehab programming.
• Resource to the Admissions Committee for assessment and evaluation of individuals making    application to IVH.  Will perform on-site and telephone preadmission screenings when needed to determine appropriate level of care.
• Assesses resident status as to any special equipment needs and makes recommendations.  Compiles data as to equipment, costs, and methods in purchasing equipment

Data Analysis

• Identifies, temporary or permanent, alterations in function that have resulted from injury or illness.
• Identifies the learning needs of the resident/family
• Monitors and reports individual cases or trends that may lead to negative resident outcome. 

Evaluation

• Participates in conferences that provide ongoing evaluation of interdisciplinary dynamics, goal attainment, and treatment plan revision.
• Develops systems to measure the impact of programs on individuals and the organization.
• Addresses the staff development and in-service educational needs of individuals and groups related to resident care and rehab programming.
• Designs educational offerings and learning experiences based on current nursing theory and standards of rehab nursing practice

Quality Assurance

• Participates in facility quality assurance programming
• Provides outcome data.
• Develops programs consistent with organizational philosophy, purposes, and goals.
• Maintains knowledge and assists the facility in compliance with regulatory agencies.
• Participates to develop and implement Plans of Correction.
• Uses quality improvement techniques to evaluate the effectiveness of educational activities. 
• Participates in interdisciplinary committees within the facility and agency.
• Assists in the monitoring of accuracy related to RAI coding  

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Registered Nurse (RN) 

• The Nurse is a Primary Nurse for an assigned resident caseload.  The nurse is responsible to provide the direct care to the resident initially and on a regular basis for updates of individual nursing care plans.  This includes the following:  Completion of a physical/functional assessment to determine the resident's nursing care needs, actual and potential health problems including the resident's social, occupational, educational and medical history.  It also includes the resident's habits and values and usual ways of meeting their daily activities and health care needs.  The nurse will plan and implement interventions with the resident and/or family/significant other to assist the resident to achieve and maintain his/her optimal mental and physical functioning.  The nurse will provide an initial care conference and ongoing direction to other staff.  The nursing process is apparent in all aspects of practice, including prior to clinic and referrals.
• The Nurse acts as an Associate Nurse for residents in assigned coverage area for each shift worked.  She/he is responsible to assure that plans of care are followed as prescribed or changes are implemented and communicated as appropriate.  The Nurse responds appropriately to episodic and emergent needs.
• The Nurse participates in the Resident Assessment Interview process and is responsible for Medical Data Sheet (MDS) data entry or performs in conjunction with the MDS nurse.  She/he participates as a core member of the Interdisciplinary Review Care Committee (IRCC) team to promote optimal resident/unit functioning
• The Nurse provides daily direct nursing care to residents and clinical leadership and direction to nursing staff.  She/he complies with applicable standards of nursing care and established policies, procedures, and protocols, e.g., Continuous Quality Improvement, Infection Control.  She/he facilitates and participates in daily staff assignments and workload distribution
• The Nurse participates in the identification, presentation and documentation of educational needs for self, staff, and residents/families/significant others.
• The Nurse is a role model in all aspects of nursing practice.  Preferably, the Nurse Clinician is an active member of a professional organization and certified in an area of expertise.
• The Nurse follows the identified chain of command and serves as a resource for problem identification and resolution
•  The Nurse Clinician provides leadership in promoting research utilization in nursing practice through participation in committee and special assignments

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Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) 

Certified Medication Aide (RTW/CMA) 

• All of the duties of an RTW plus…
• Passes medication according to established policies/procedures. (CMA)

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Resident Treatment Worker (RTW/CNA) 

Nursing Unit Coordinator (NUC)

The Nursing Unit Coordinator (NUC) is the unit’s secretary and receptionist who works at the nurse’s desk on each unit.  The NUC can be a valuable source of information to residents.

 

Some of the things a NUC is responsible for:

• Obtain appointment times for various departments, including podiatrist, optometrist, laboratory, etc.
• Notify proper personnel for needed repairs, including wheelchairs, reported by both resident and staff
• Make requests for Canteen books and cigarettes for residents unable to do it themselves
• Assist with arrangements for furloughs and passes, including obtaining a supply of medication for residents to take along with them
• Help with shopping needs
• Arrange for marking of clothing, both on admission and purchase of new items

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Orientation & Preceptor Program

An on-boarding program assists the new employee as they begin their duties at IVH.  During their department specific orientation, new employees are paired with a preceptor - an experienced peer who will assist them will procedural and policy knowledge as well as skill development.  Additionally, mentor pairing provides a relationship that supports and guides the new employee to achieve success and promote a positive work environment.  Through open communication, encouragement, and on going support, focus is on individual growth and development as both the preceptor and mentor assist the new employee in embracing the organization’s culture.

 

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Staff Education

 Nursing Philosophy 

• Nursing Philosophy
• Nursing Care Philosophy

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