Job Description

ORGANISATIONAL REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

POSITION TITLE: Registered Nurse, Aged Care

CLASSIFICATION Clinical

POSITION LEVEL: As Negotiated

REPORTS TO: Care Manager

DESCRIPTION

We require a Registered Nurse to work at our aged care facility. We take pride in caring for our staff members like they are family members. We have a strong emphasis on providing the best possible care for our residents. You must have your AHPRA registration and at least two years experience as a Registered Nurse. It is preferable if you have past experience caring for seniors, but this is not essential. We are open to providing sponsorship if required.

SCOPE OF POSITION

The role of Registered Nurse is a key operational role within the Facility. Its primary purpose is to provide RN clinical care services to the residents within NCH The position undertakes nursing practice in accordance with the policies and procedures of NCH, ANMC Standards, ANMC Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and Common Law affecting nursing practice.

The role ensures at all times that all services provided to residents within the facility are carried out in a manner that supports their health, wellbeing and safety. The RN also directs other staff in the completion of their day-to-day duties in accordance with the policies and procedures of NCH and provides support to the Care Manager/Clinical Lead in assessing residents care needs and contributes/evaluates Care Plans to ensure high quality care is maintained at all times.

KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS (KRAS)

1. In collaboration with members of the healthcare team: plan, deliver and evaluate resident care.

• Provide a management and leadership role for care staff and encourage an environment that is based on teamwork and a committed Resident focus.
• Participate as a key member of the clinical Care team and demonstrate a level of professional conduct in the provision of quality care to the residents and support processes to meet Aged Care Accreditation.
• To be competent in all aspects of Resident clinical care (from initial admission, assessment, care planning and ongoing review).
• Observe residents' responses to their care, and report findings in progress notes. Where appropriate, facilitate and implement changes in collaboration with the Care Manager.
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation and resident information systems ensuring the data is accurate, up to date, and completed utilising the iCare software system.
• Identify problems and use problem solving processes in the areas of clinical care, WHS and other areas of service provision.
• Involve residents and their families and significant others in the planning and implementation of care.
• Liaise with both internal and external customers (Residents, medical practitioners, families, contractors and visitors) in a compassionate, helpful manner that best reflects NCH mission and values statement.

1. Ensure compliance with all legislation, regulations and internal performance standards pertaining to NCH policies and procedures in all areas of the residential care facility.

• Operate within the scope of practice as a Registered Nurse with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
• Will be able to demonstrate an understanding and be able to complete internal audits that help maintain the quality framework.
• Recognise and uphold the rights of all residents accessing Narrogin Cottage Homes services and advocate on their behalf including cultural sensitivity, and religious freedom.
• Adhere to all internal policies and procedures.
• Apply the principles of privacy and confidentiality to all activities carried out within NCH as per applicable legislation and the policies of the Organisation.

1. Actively contribute to performance management and performance appraisals of other staff and self within the facility.

• Comply with and utilise contemporary Human Resource management principles including Equal Employment opportunity and anti-discrimination.
• Contribute to the maintenance of good staff morale.
• Ensure responsibility for the safety of self and others in the course of daily duties, including assessment, reporting and actioning any issue that would appear to create a health and safety risk within the facility.
• Assist in identifying and implementing quality initiatives in line with the continuous improvement program of the Organisation.
• Use NCH resources and equipment economically and safely.
• Maintain accurate and objective documentation.
• Maintain and contribute to an environment of continuous improvement.

1. Perform other duties as required

• Maintain awareness of current and new legislation to ensure the organisation complies with all statutory and regulatory obligations including but not limited to SIRs, infection control, restrictive practice, records management, WHS and accreditation guidelines.
• Actively contribute to the communication process, including attending and participating in team meetings and providing feedback to others.
• Contribute to the review and development of innovative procedures, policies and best practice related to resident care.
• Participate and contribute to a learning environment, through continuing education, professional development and attendance at conferences and relevant forums.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIS)

KPI Rating Scale

5 continuously exceeds expected standards

4 occasionally exceeds expected standards

3 meets all expected standards

2 occasionally meets expected standards assistance required to improve

1 does not meet expected standards

KRA 1

1. Actively involved in all aspects of care and works in collaboration with the care team.
2. Interacts effectively with residents/residents families and other health team members to facilitate the provision of optimum resident care.
3. Ensures at all times that all services provided to residents within the facility are carried out in a manner that supports their health, wellbeing and safety.
4. Liaises regularly with clinical team and management.

KRA 2

1. Continuously acts within their scope of practice as a Registered Nurse.
2. Performs nursing practice in accordance with the policies and procedures of NCH, ANMC Standards, ANMC Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and Common Law affecting nursing practice.
3. Ensures compliance of self and staff with all regulations and internal performance standards pertaining to NCH policies and procedures in all areas of the residential care facility.
4. Ensures behaviour of themselves and staff is appropriate and free of harassment, discrimination or victimisation towards any other person.

KRA 3

1. Effectively assists, directs, and supervises other care staff in the completion of their day-to-day duties.
2. Works effectively within a multidisciplinary team, contributing to a strong team approach through open communication and a positive supportive approach.
3. Demonstrates flexibility, creditability, commitment, enthusiasm and caring to staff, residents and the wider organisation.
4. Displays excellent interpersonal and communication skills across all ages and social groups including verbal and written.

KRA 4

1. Actively contributes to the communication process, including attending and participating in team meetings.
2. Demonstrates commitment to professional development, including personal performance, quality improvement, clinical practice.
3. Maintains up to date knowledge to support staff, residents, and the accreditation processes.
4. Actively engages in and contributes to the mandatory training process as provided by the facility including WHS, infection control and provision or facilitation of appropriate training and ongoing support to other staff.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Relevant Qualifications (Degree, Certificate, Licences)

• Current registration as a Registered Nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
• Current National Police Clearance Certificate
• Up to date First Aid Certificate/First Aid and CPR
• Appropriate visas in work in Australia

Essential Skills (verbal and written communication, industry or general experience, interpersonal skill, ability to work autonomously/in a team, etc.)

• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant legislation, ANMC Standards, ANMC Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and Common Law.
• Exhibit personal values of empathy with the aged with respect to integrity, justice, respect, compassion and service excellence to elderly people.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the Accreditation Standards.
• Ability to analyse and utilise clinical data in service development and quality improvement initiatives.
• 
• Demonstrated experience in:
• Quality communication skills (verbal, written)
• Current clinical practice/clinical assessments
• Effective Time management
• Computer literacy eg. iCare, Microsoft Office

Desirable Skills and Knowledge

• Specialist training or exposure to Dementia or Geriatric care
• Experience in a clinical specialty (e.g. wound care, palliative care, etc).
• Participation in the development of policies and procedures.
• Working knowledge of AN-ACC documentation.
• Previous experience with iCare software.
• Previous experience within an Aged Care environment.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Physical Attributes:

The role of a Registered Nurse requires a reasonable standard of physical fitness and suppleness as the job necessitates the RN to be on their feet continuously for long periods of time. The physical demands include substantial time walking, bending and lifting along with the ability to comfortably lift and manipulate weights of up to 25 kilograms independently. Whilst there are devices to assist with the lifting and transfer of residents there are still occasions when physical strength is required.

Persons with chronic back/neck conditions or issues to do with knees and hips or following surgery would be unlikely to be suitable to undertake the core requirements of this role. All short-listed applicants may need required to undergo a comprehensive medical with our preferred Medical Practitioner, if you are unable to satisfy the fitness requirements, we will be unable to continue the recruitment process.

Personal Attributes

As an RN in an aged care environment, you really need to have a sunny disposition and positive outlook on life. You would be a person who enjoys working in a team environment with a genuine enjoyment in working with and associating with older people whose needs can be quite demanding.

Our Organisation requires a team approach, and you need to be able to work harmoniously within that team both as a team member and a leader assisting and directing other staff as required.

Mental Attributes

The ideal RN is one who is open to change, which is a constant in our industry. You need to have a flexible approach, be able to follow instructions well but have the ability to lead a small team and issue directions to ensure high levels of care are maintained for our residents.

A desire to go on learning and upskill yourself is crucial as well as the capacity to actively engage in staff meetings and offer positive suggestions and advice to benefit service delivery and overcome issues that arise from time to time.

As a Registered Nurse your need to be well organised. It is critical especially when it comes to your accountabilities and the filling out of associated documentation and reports. Being computer literate is essential combined with enhanced written and verbal communication skills in English.

The role of the RN is a critical one, please carefully consider all of the above when applying for this role in our organisation.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Registered Nurse Position Description is to be read in conjunction with the RN Duty Statements and the Care Minute Policy.