Restorative Nurse

Purpose of Your Job Position

 

The primary purpose of your job position is to perform restorative nursing procedures that maximize the resident’s existing abilities, emphasize independence instead of dependence, and minimize the negative effects of disability with an attitude of realistic optimism under the supervision of a restorative nurse.

 

 

Delegation of Authority

 

As the Restorative Care Nurse you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

 

 

Job Functions

 

Every effort has been made to make your job description as complete as possible. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is a logical assignment to the position.

 

 

Major Duties and Responsibilities

 

Administrative 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 the long-term care facility.
  • Meet with administration, medical and nursing staff, therapy department, as well as other related departments in planning restorative care.
  • Develop and maintain restorative care standards.
  • Assist the Quality Assessment & Assurance Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies.
  • Interpret restorative care policies and procedures to personnel, residents, family members, etc., as necessary.
  • Review restorative care policies, procedures, manuals, job descriptions, etc., at least annually, and participate in making recommended changes.
  • Participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of resident care plans, resident assessments, etc., as necessary.
  • Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc., as necessary.
  • Maintain a current file of residents treated.
  • Work with the facility’s consultants as necessary and implement recommended changes as required.
  • Maintain treatment records, resident files, and progress notes as required.
  • Assist in standardizing the methods in which restorative care will be accomplished.
  • Maintain an adequate liaison with families and residents.
  • Maintain a reference library of written restorative care material, laws, etc., necessary for complying with current standards and regulations, and that will provide assistance in maintaining quality resident care.

 

  • Assist the Quality Assessment and Assurance Coordinator in developing, implementing, and maintaining an ongoing quality assurance program for restorative care services.
  • Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the administrator, as necessary/required, concerning restorative care services.
  • Assume the authority, responsibility and accountability of directing restorative care services.
  • Others as deemed necessary and appropriate, or as may be directed by the Administrator and/or Director of

Nursing Services.

 

 

Committee Functions

 

  • Serve on, participate in, and/or attend various committees of the facility as required.
  • Provide written and/or oral reports of the restorative care programs and activities as required.
  • Evaluate and implement recommendations from established committees as they may pertain to restorative care.

 

 

Personnel Functions

 

  • Assist the administrator and/or the personnel director in the recruitment and selection of competent restorative care personnel.
  • Provide guidance and training for new and/or less experienced personnel.
  • Review complaints and grievances made or filed by department personnel.
  • Make appropriate reports to the administrator as required or as may be necessary, including departmental performance evaluations.
  • Maintain an excellent working relationship with the medical profession and other health related facilities and organizations.
  • Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the department.
  • Meet with and solicit advice from other department supervisors concerning restorative care, assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or the improvement of services.

 

 

Restorative Care Functions

 

  • Review request for restorative care and physicians’ orders.
  • Interview resident to determine type of treatment and schedule therapy.
  • Select rehabilitative and therapeutic activities and exercises based on medical and social history of residents.
  • Evaluate type of therapy most desirable after consulting with the physician and therapy personnel.
  • Assist residents in ambulatory training as necessary.
  • Demonstrate to residents and staff personnel, as necessary, the procedures involved in the treatment process.
  • Recommend modifications and changes in the resident’s restorative care as indicated.
  • Assist in transporting resident to and from therapy room/area.
  • Encourage residents to perform or participate in daily ADL functions.
  • Encourage residents to perform range of motion exercises.
  • Perform restorative care treatments in resident’s room as necessary.
  • Instruct and supervise resident during therapy.
  • Brief resident of procedures involved in restorative care and prepare necessary equipment.
  • Prepare resident for treatment by dress/position and administer restorative care in accordance with established policies and procedures.
  • Reassure resident before and during therapy treatment.
  • Assure that all restorative care notes are informative and descriptive of the treatment provided and of the resident’s response to the care.

 

  • Participate in the development and implementation of resident assessments (MDS) and care plans, including quarterly reviews, as they relate to restorative care.

 

 

Staff Development

 

  • Develop and participate in programs designed for in-service education, on the job training and orientation classes for newly assigned personnel. (Includes maintaining appropriate recordkeeping requirements of when classes were held, subject matter, attendance, etc.)
  • Develop, implement, and maintain an effective orientation program that orients the new employee to restorative care.
  • Participate and assist in departmental studies and projects as assigned or that may become necessary.
  • Attend and participate in workshops, seminars, etc., to keep abreast of current changes in the health care field, as well as to maintain a professional status.

 

 

Safety and Sanitation

 

  • Assist in developing safety standards for restorative care.
  • Assure that staff personnel, residents, visitors, etc., follow established safety policies and procedures at all times, including appropriate dress codes.
  • Be alert for resident safety during any/all therapy or treatments.
  • Comply with established safety precautions at all times.
  • Assist the Infection Control Coordinator in the development, implementation, and revising of written aseptic and isolation techniques, as directed.
  • Ensure that restorative care personnel follow established infection control procedures when performing duties.
  • Assure that the therapy area is maintained in a clean and safe manner for resident comfort and convenience by assuring that necessary equipment and supplies are maintained to perform such duties/services.
  • Develop, implement, and maintain a procedure for reporting hazardous conditions or equipment.
  • Follow established policies and procedures governing the exposure to blood or body fluids.

 

 

Equipment and Supply Functions

 

  • Provide necessary material/equipment for resident to perform required therapy or treatment.
  • Recommend to the administrator the equipment and supply needs of the department.
  • Develop and implement procedures for the safe operation of all restorative care equipment.
  • Ensure that all personnel operate equipment in a safe manner.
  • Develop and implement procedures that ensure supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.

 

 

Care Plan Functions

 

  • Assist in developing restorative care plans for individual residents in coordination and conjunction with the resident assessment (MDS).
  • Review the restorative care requirements of each resident admitted to the facility and assist the attending physician in planning for the resident’s care and/or treatment.
  • Assure that care plans indicate restorative care when such therapy is ordered.
  • Participate in the development and implementation of care plans, including quarterly reviews.

 

Budget and Planning Functions

 

  • Prepare and plan the restorative care budget and submit to the administrator for his/her review, recommendations, and/or approval.
  • Keep abreast of economic conditions/situations, and recommend to the administrator adjustments in restorative care that ensure the continued ability to provide quality care.

 

 

Resident Rights

 

  • Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information.
  • Ensure that all restorative care personnel are knowledgeable of the residents’ rights and responsibilities.
  • Ensure that resident’s rights to fair and equitable treatment, self determination, individuality, privacy, property and civil rights, including the right to wage a complaint, are well established and maintained at all times.
  • Review complaints and grievances made by the resident, families, and/or visitors and make oral/written reports to the administrator indicating what action(s) were taken to resolve the complaint or grievance.
  • Maintain a written record of the resident’s complaints and/or grievances that indicates the action taken to resolve the complaint and the current status of the complaint.
  • Abide by the resident’s decision whether or not to participate in treatment.
  • Inform the resident of consequences of not participating in prescribed therapy and document such action in the resident’s clinical record.
  • Allow the resident to participate in the planning and scheduling of his or her treatment.

 

 

Working Conditions

 

  • Works in office areas, therapy rooms, resident rooms, etc.
  • Sits, stands, bends, lifts and moves intermittently during working hours.
  • Is subject to frequent interruptions.
  • Is involved with physicians, residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.
  • Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors.
  • Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department supervisors.
  • Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary, as well as in other positions as needed.
  • Must be constantly alert for resident safety.
  • Attends and participates in continuing educational programs as may be required by current regulations.
  • Is subject to falls, burns from equipment, odors, assaults from hostile residents, etc., throughout the work day.
  • Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including the AIDS and Hepatitis B

viruses.

  • Is subject to lifting, carrying and supporting residents.
  • Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, other departments, etc., to adequately plan for the resident’s restorative care needs.

 

 

Education Requirements

 

Must possess, as a minimum, a Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university, or be a graduate of an approved LPN/LVN program.

 

Experience

 

Must have, as a minimum, one (1) year experience in restorative care. Must have training in rehabilitative and restorative therapy practices.

 

 

Specific Requirements

 

  • Must possess a current, unencumbered license to practice as a RN, LPN, or LVN in this state.
  • Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
  • Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
  • Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
  • Must be a minimum of twenty-three (23) years of age.
  • Must be knowledgeable of restorative care procedures.
  • Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with professional and non-professional personnel.
  • Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, etc., of restorative care.
  • Must maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., and maintain the appearance of treatment areas.
  • Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm as well as be willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity level in which they are currently functioning.
  • Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.
  • Must be able to use preventive measures to ensure quality of life and to maintain functional levels.
  • Must be able to recognize resident’s needs such as ROM exercises, ambulation limitations, etc.
  • Must be able to instruct certified nursing assistants in continuing preventive restorative care.
  • Must be able to related information concerning a resident’s condition.

 

 

Physical and Sensory Requirements

(With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

 

  • Must be able to move intermittently throughout the work day.
  • Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
  • Must be able to cope with the mental, emotional, and physical stress of the position.
  • Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
  • Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, support agencies, and outside agencies.
  • Must be in good general 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 within the facility.
  • Must be able to lift, push, pull, and move a minimum of 50 pounds.
  • Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents.
  • Must be willing to perform tasks that may involve exposure to the resident’s blood/body fluids.