Restorative Nurse (CSS) - Alden Debes Rehabilitation and Health Care Center

JOB SUMMARY

• Responsible for the development, implementation, monitoring and supervision of the restorative nursing program for the facility. Acts as the liaison between formalized therapy and nursing. Promotes a restorative nursing philosophy among all facility departments and work closely with the Ladies and Gentlemen of Alden to ensure the restorative plan of care is being followed thereby, promoting customers to their highest level of function.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must possess a current, unencumbered license to practice as an RN or an LPN in the state of Illinois.
• Must be restorative certified by an accredited school or recognized accrediting agency.
• Must possess current CPR certification or become certified within two weeks of employment.
• Must be able to read, write and speak the English language in an understandable manner.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to cope with mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must function independently, have flexibility, person integrity, and the ability to work effectively with the customer, family members, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must be in good health and demonstrate emotional stability
• Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times hostile people
• Must be able to lift, push, pull and move equipment, supplies, customer in excess of 50 pounds throughout the day.
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including exposure to the (HIV) AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct restorative care services, as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern nursing care facilities.
• Maintains a current list of customer’s participating in a restorative program on each unit. For each unit, these lists will be specific as to ambulation, ROM, ADL, assistive feeding devices, splints, hand cones/contracture care, bladder retraining, falling star or other restorative program details.
• Sets up documentation flow sheets/and or electronic medical record system for daily documentation of restorative nursing measures for each customer on the program.
• Makes a quarterly progress note. Ensures all restorative care notes are informative and descriptive of the treatment provided and of the customer’s response to the care.
• Oversees all restorative nursing measures are reflected on the care plan as an approach to the problem or need for which they are being done.
• Oversees that customers get formalized therapy, as indicated, and that the necessary assistive feeding and/or ADL devices are obtained as recommended.
• Works with Nursing and Dietary to see that these assistive devices are consistently available and that they are addressed on the care plan.
• Works closely with Therapy department. Sees that specific recommendations, when discharged from therapy are carried through.
• Performs or oversees functional assessments on admission and quarterly as indicated. Consults with nurses in making recommendations for restorative plan of care. Works with nurses in developing restorative plan of care.
• Oversees customer ADL performance on the units.
• Oversees C.N.A.’s documentation on ADL’s (ensuring compliance and accuracy).
• Oversees incontinent management programs.
• Attends care planning conferences and makes recommendations.
• Completes sections of MDS and the Care Area Assessment (CAA) Summary as indicated. Reports on progress of restorative nursing measures.
• Keeps track of accomplishments (number of customers on bladder retraining/ month, number of customers increased function, etc.) in a formalized, simple report each quarter.
• Works with the Ladies and Gentlemen of Alden in developing tools appropriate to perform QI audits. Participates in QI audits for restorative nursing. Reviews monthly and quarterly quality indicator/measure lists and utilizes this information to problem solve.
• Develops and implements innovative and creative ways to keep staff. Focused and enthused about restorative nursing.
• Sees that equipment and supplies are available and that they are in good working order.
• Problem solves with the Ladies and Gentlemen of Alden in regards to issues in providing restorative nursing care.
• The restorative nurse assures quality care, customer’s rights, dignity, abuse prohibition and customer service is focused on daily.
• Actively participates or oversees physical restraint reduction programs and fall management programs.
• Orient /educate new Ladies and Gentlemen of Alden relative to roles, responsibilities, principles, and practices of restorative nursing
• All other duties as assigned.