Registered Nurse - Full-time 38hr/wk.

                        POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title:

Registered Nurse

Location:

 The Rock – Emily Gardens

Status:

Permanent Fulltime - 38hr/wk. 

Responsible to:

Facility Manager

Award/Agreement:

The Lutheran Aged Care, NSWNMA and HSU NSW Enterprise Agreement (As Amended)

Reporting to:

Facility Manager and Unit Manager;

Lutheran Aged Care - Overview

Lutheran Aged Care (LAC) Albury is a significant service organisation providing a range of aged care services across a number of facilities and the community designed to meet customer needs. LAC is an independently run, not for Profit Company primarily funded by  the Commonwealth. The organisation has a business structure incorporating the Lutheran Church of Australia (NSW district), the Board of Governance and Chief Executive Officer. Reporting to this structure is Administration & Finance, Hotel Services, Property & Maintenance, Pemberton View Retirement Village, Support Services (including pastoral care and volunteer coordination), Community Care, Dellacourt, Yallaroo and Emily Gardens locations. LAC employs approximately 300 staff (including casuals) comprising nursing, personal care, maintenance, management and administrative staff.

Emily Gardens

Our Emily Gardens facility is located in The Rock, an hour north of our Albury facilities. We employ a small team of 50+ staff and volunteers make Emily Gardens a home to its 30 residents. 

Role Objective

 The Registered Nurse is responsible for leading and assisting the activities of Enrolled Nurses and Care Service staff (Carers) in Risk assessment, identification and management the provision of high quality care for care recipients in line with Lutheran Aged Care’s Mission, Philosophy and Values. In addition, the Registered Nurse will ensure that recognised standards are adhered to in line with quality and accreditation standards and LAC Organisational Policies and Clinical Procedures.

Key Result Areas & Responsibilities

Risk Management

It is expected that the RN oversees the efficient operation each shift for which they are rostered, as the clinical leader with the responsibility of assessing, identifying and managing risks on each shift through delivering high quality resident care and effective and responsive staff management.

1. Care

• In conjunction with the Unit Manager, provide clinical leadership to care staff to ensure care recipients receive safe, effective and appropriate care interventions.
• In conjunction with other staff, the care recipient, family members and a multidisciplinary team, plan and communicate care interventions based on a comprehensive assessment of care recipient needs for support, nursing and personal care needs.
• In conjunction with the Unit Manager, ensure positive care recipient outcomes in line with care plans and safe working practices.

• Provide person centred individual care to care recipients that reflects a non-institutional approach and encourages independence, honours care recipient dignity and privacy while displaying empathy toward the care recipient.
• Monitor care recipient condition; report on changes to all parties and undertake appropriate actions.
• Implement initiatives designed to maintain or improve the quality of care and the quality of life outcomes for the care recipient.
• Act as a care recipient advocate to assist individuals to make choices and informed decisions.
• Undertake collation of assessment and care information, as required, to complete the funding claim process.
• In conjunction with other registered nurses, manage the handover of care recipient issues to change of shift staff.
• Maintain the confidentiality, dignity and respect of care recipients at all times.
• Ensure the safe and effective management of medication, infection control and Work Health and Safety practices.
• Actively participate in accreditation audits and ensure all activities in the workplace comply with accreditation requirements.

2. Compliance & Systems

• Ensure that systems that are in place are utilised by all staff to document care recipient care needs in line with LAC Organisational Policies and Clinical Procedures and government requirements.
• Actively evaluate care services and assist to develop systems to enhance the standards of care.
• In conjunction with the Facility Manager and Unit Manager, monitor and review care and service Policies and work practices in line with standards.
• Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of contemporary practice in response to clinical issues identified within the unit/facility.
• Actively participate in and implement continuous improvement and quality processes.
• Effectively utilise management systems to accurately record and research data.
• Ensure the upkeep of the environment is maintained through regular inspection and reporting systems as part of your Work Health and Safety duty.
• Ensure equipment is in good working order, utilising maintenance systems to promptly report any defects or need for replacement.

3. Human Resources

• In conjunction with the Unit Manager and Facility Manager, manage the work practices of Enrolled Nurses, Carers and other staff (as appropriate) within the unit/facility.
• Assist the Facility Manager and Unit Manager with ongoing assessment of staff performance and provide regular feedback in line with LAC’s performance appraisal process, related policies and the performance expectations of staff.
• In conjunction with the Unit Manager, ensure relevant care staff comply with appropriate Work Health and Safety practices, care standards and LAC policies and procedures.

4. Knowledge

• Maintain a thorough knowledge of contemporary issues relating to the aged care  industry.
• Maintain an understanding of the Aged Care Act 1997, Health Services Act (NSW), Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act (NSW) (1998), Nurses Act (NSW) (1991), Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act (2000), Guardianship Act (NSW) and the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI).
• Maintain thorough knowledge of LAC’s policies and work practices including those related to employment conditions.

5. Work Health & Safety

• Take reasonable care for his / her own WHS ensuring that actions or omissions do not adversely affect the WHS of others in the workplace.
• Monitor and ensure the Work Health and Safety of all staff, care recipients, visitors, volunteers and work experience participants.
• Understand the operations and general hazards / risks in the workplace and monitor performance regarding incidents, hazards and risks.
• Participate in mechanisms for consultation with staff regarding WHS issues.
• Participate in consultation with staff and take into account their opinions prior to making a WHS related decision.
• Participate with the Management Team to establish a WHS plan and assist with monitoring for the relevant unit/facility.

• Lead by example and provide visible commitment to WHS and procedures.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of WHS procedures.
• Participate in the development of formal Disaster and Emergency Management plans.
• Assist with managing and responding to disasters and emergencies to ensure the WHS of everyone.
• Monitor staff compliance with WHS policies, procedures and practices relevant to the unit.

• Ensure that staff work within their capacity, experience and training.
• Assist with the conducting of/participation in incident investigations, recording findings and making recommendations for improvement, as appropriate.
• Share control of the work environment and take immediate action to rectify any unsafe situations or acts/practices.
• Consult, cooperate and coordinate activities with external agency staff or representatives of another organisation as appropriate.
• Liaise with WorkCover inspectors, union representatives, insurers and external return to work coordinators.
• Immediately advise the Facility Manager and Human Resources Manager of staff injuries, serious incidents and other incidents (including those involving unsafe practice).
• Consult    with    care   recipients    and    families   regarding   the    WHS   implications    of housekeeping and any equipment, appliances or personal items brought into the facility.
• Support injured staff working under return-to-work programs.
• Maintain equipment safety through recognised maintenance systems.

6. Team

• Participate as an active team member in department initiatives and projects as directed.
• Contribute to the effective operation of the team by leading and contributing at staff and team meetings.
• Provide assistance to other team members as identified/required/instructed.
• All other duties as reasonably requested.

Personal Qualities

• Honesty, initiative, reliability and discretion
• Leadership, cooperation and team participation
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Empathy and consideration for older persons
• Willingness to develop professionally
• Self motivation and organisation
• Flexibility and responsiveness

Selection Criteria  

Essential

• Previous experience in aged care nursing as a Registered Nurse (with appropriate professional registration – AHPRA) including the clinical assessment and management of medical issues relevant to elderly care recipients.
• Experience working with a multi-disciplinary team to provide positive outcomes in aged care.
• Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary issues relating to the aged care industry and an understanding of the RN’s role in risk management on a shift by shift basis.
• Current knowledge and experience with the ACFI and accreditation standards.
• Demonstrated leadership and team building experience within a care environment.
• Ability to plan work, establish priorities and service standards and delegate effectively, relative to the role.
• Well developed written and verbal communication skills with the ability to relate effectively to a wide range of people.
• Well developed problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to maintaining and developing professional skills.
• Well developed level computer skills.

All LAC Staff are required to have, or obtain before commencement of employment:

• NDIS Worker Screening Check
• 3x Covid Vaccinations (Any year)
• Flu Vaccinations (Current year)

• • Desirable

• Post graduate education in Aged Care.
• Experience utilising electronic documentation systems (progress notes/client records however termed).
• Experience in the use of electronic rostering and time in attendance systems.

Relationships

This role has specific responsibility to develop strong internal and external relationships to facilitate the effective management of the role. Key relationships include:

Internal – Care Staff including other Registered Nurses and Enrolled Nurses, Allied Health and Lifestyle staff, Facility Manager, Unit Manager, Hotel Services Staff, Maintenance Staff and all levels of management.

External – Care recipients and family members, medical practitioners and other external allied health providers, hospitals, pharmacies, contractors, temporary staff, community networks and Aged Care Regulatory bodies and their representatives as appropriate and delegated.