PACE Registered Nurse

Position Summary:

Has the responsibility for providing direct and indirect nursing care under the direct and indirect supervision of the PACE Center Manager or designee but is independent in the application of advanced nursing knowledge and skills. Manages complex clinical situation for which he/she is responsible.

Essential Functions of the Job: 

• Assessment: Collects patient data and completes required forms with appropriate responses according to unit standards; identifies patient’s overt problems/needs and sets priorities; identifies problems requiring further referral and/or follow-up; interprets and records latest diagnostic results; performs advanced nursing assessment using critical thinking skills.
• Planning Care: Develops a plan of care based on nursing process and which incorporates the plans of other disciplines and continuing care needs; includes the patient/family in developing or revising the plan of care; makes referrals to multidisciplinary support services. . Initial and periodic assessments (minimally every 6 months) to be completed prior to the scheduled team meeting. Communicates participant changes to team members.
• Implementing/Managing Care: Care provided conforms to accepted practice standards; provides correct treatments/procedures and other care as prescribed and according to patient care standards; demonstrates understanding of age-related characteristics and needs of patients served; explains nursing procedures in appropriate forms; provides participant and family education in coordination of 24 hour care delivery; identifies emergency situations and independently initiates advanced therapy; acts as coordinator of patient care with other health care personnel and evaluates patient care measures instituted; understands and demonstrates respect for patient rights and utilizes established mechanisms for management of ethical issues in patient care.
• Evaluation: Records patient care delivered as planned and any variation, with appropriate rationale; makes and records observations related to impending or associated problems; implements nursing measures related to impending or associated problems.
• Leadership: Using nursing process, delegates nursing care to appropriate personnel; integrates cost effective measures into nursing practice; recognizes unit problems and takes responsibility for documenting same; demonstrates active participation in QI processes; complies with hospital expectations to meet staffing demands based on patient care needs; complies with policies addressing safe working conditions; monitors unsafe working conditions; recognizes inappropriate and/or ineffective patient care management, resolves issue/problem and completes written reports; fulfills call for unit as assigned and adjusts staffing for census (volume) and acuity.
• Participates as a member of the Interdisciplinary team attends staff meetings and takes part in participant care planning.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Keeps abreast of all regulations and standards to ensure compliance with orders or directives issued by duly constituted government / regulatory agencies.
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-service meetings and workshops.
• Attends meetings as required and participates on committees and directed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.

Job Requirements

Preferred Experience:

• Knowledge and or experience working in senior or elder care setting – PACE, Nursing Home, Hospice, ADHC.
• Nursing competency and familiarity with care paths, interact tools commonly used in skilled nursing home settings.
• Must be able to triage clinical symptoms, apply care paths and clinical interactive tools in patient evaluation and care prior to communications with physicians.
• Must be comfortable starting IV lines, IV medication administration and monitoring.
• Must be comfortable with acute care of frail adults, complex wound care and cognitively impaired adults.

Education Required:

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing 

Certifications Required:

• Currently licensed in CA as a Registered Nurse license; must present credentials which demonstrate ability to meet performance criteria for RN.

Verbal and Written Skills Required to Perform the Job: 

• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

Equipment Used:

• Minor medical equipment such as vital signs monitors, emergency cart, automated external defibrillator (AED), and patient personal assist devices.
• Networked computer with various applications, facsimile machine, document center, and telephone.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Physical clearance for reaching, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling and grasping; have full range of motion; ability to lift 50 lbs.; need to lift and transfer participants; TB clearance; must maintain current First Aid, CPR and BLS Certification.

Universal Requirements:

Pre-employment requirements include I-9, physical, positive background and reference check results, complete application, new hire orientation, pre-employment PPDs. Compliance with all mandated vaccinations and all boosters is a term and condition of employment.