Treatment Nurse

Overview

To monitor the skin condition of residents in the facility and provide appropriate wound care in accordance with current federal and state guidelines and facility policies and procedures governing the facility, and as may be directed by the Director of Nursing Services or Assistant Director of Nursing Services, to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.

Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

1. Direct the day-to-day functions of prevention of skin breakdown and promoting improvement in skin integrity of the residents.
2. Participate in supervision and training of direct care staff to ensure prevention techniques are implemented and maintained in accordance with written policies and procedures.
3. Participate in developing, maintaining and updating written nursing policies, procedures, forms, reports related to wound prevention and improvement.
4. Interpret the facilities’ policies and procedures to personnel, residents, families, visitors and government agencies as necessary.
5. Participate in data collection and implementing action plans relative to the quality assurance program.
6. Participate in surveys and inspections by government agencies.
7. Make reports and recommendations to the Director of Nursing Services concerning skin integrity management.
8. Implement recommendations received from administration, corporate staff, other departments and/or committees as needed.

Nursing Care Functions

1. Perform total body assessment on all new admissions on the day of admission or on the next scheduled workday and document findings.
2. Perform daily wound care and topical treatments of all skin problems as ordered by the physician and document upon completion.
3. Document weekly progress notes on all wounds and skin problems.
4. Compile results of weekly skin assessments in the form of a wound report and submit to the Director of Nursing Services, Administrator and appropriate Corporate personnel.
5. Provide written and oral reports to the Director of Nursing Services concerning status of residents, problem areas, etc.
6. Assist in developing and implementing corrective actions as necessary.
7. Consult with physicians and wound consultant in providing wound care, treatment and diagnostic services and notify physician regarding changes in the condition of wounds.
8. Notify sponsors of newly identified skin problems and provide weekly condition reports on resident skin problems.
9. Serve as chairperson of the weekly wound sub-committee meeting and submit required reports to the quality assurance committee.
10. Ensure that needed treatment supplies are available at all times.

Drug Administration Functions

1. Provide topical medication treatments of skin problems and prepare and administer medications as ordered by the physician.
2. Review medication and treatment records for completeness, accuracy and adherence, and notify physicians of stop orders prior to the last dosage being administered.
3. Verify resident identities to ensure prescribed medications are administered to the proper residents.
4. Ensure that narcotic records are accurate and notify the Director of Nursing of all drug and narcotic discrepancies noted on the shift.
5. Ensure proper disposal of drugs and narcotics.
6. Order prescribed medications, supplies and equipment as necessary.
7. Ensure that adequate levels of medications, supplies and equipment are available at all times, reporting needs to the Director of Nursing.

Charting and Documentation Functions

1. Sign, date and perform all routine charting and record keeping in accordance with established policies and procedures.
2. Complete and chart all accidents and incidents involving residents and submit to the Director of Nursing as required.
3. Encourage physicians to review treatment plans and to record and sign orders, progress notes, etc.
4. Record telephone orders from physicians and transfer all physician orders to resident charts, medication cards, treatment and care plans, etc.
5. Report all discrepancies noted concerning physicians’ orders, diet changes, charting errors, etc. to the Director of Nursing Services.
6. Complete transfer and discharge forms and ensure that proper documentation is recorded.
7. Complete and file all required forms, records, and charts upon resident admissions, transfers and/or discharges.

Qualifications

• Must be a Licensed Practical Nurse in good standing and currently licensed by the State of Alabama or in training to satisfactorily complete the requirements to become a Licensed Practical Nurse.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Completion of secondary education or otherwise show ability to read and write in a legible and understandable manner.
• Must speak and understand English.
• Positive attitude toward the elderly.
• Previous wound care experience preferred.
• Must possess good assessment skills.
• Must possess good written documentation skills.