Day to Day
When I am on the floor/ in a resident room, this is the personal device that should not be out/visible/used.
Cell phone. We know that things come up and you need to get ahold of the nurse, or your family needs to reach you. Do not make it excessive.
When a service pops up on my schedule to do, these are the steps I need to take when I am confirming it.
Hit the green confirm button, adjust the minutes to the amount of time it took to do the service, and then hit confirm again.
When my load is lighter than my co-workers, this is what I should do.
Assist my co-worker with finishing their duties. Just because you are on a certain floor, does not mean you are responsible for all residents.
When I am giving a resident medications, this is what I need to do before I can walk away.
Watch resident take the medications. It is a violation of company and state regulations to leave medication with resident without watching them take it. If they were able to take the medications independently, they wouldn't be receiving medication administration.
It is also a huge liability. What if the resident is stocking up those medications, and then harms themselves with them?
When someone has fallen, these are the first two things I should do.
Look for injuries, and call the triage nurse. A resident should never be moved even if it they were lowered to the floor without calling triage first.
If you move a resident without calling the triage nurse, and they are injured, the liability shifts from the facility to the individual responsible for making this decision.
These are the kind of things that should not be said over the walkie. (Must name at least 2)
Long conversations, inappropriate conversations/comments, personal information, names of residents
If I do not provide a service, and it is on my tablet, this is what I should do.
Hit refuse and enter a reason why. You should never document a service as done if you didn't do it. This is considered fraud, and the penalties could lead to criminal charges.
This information should also be shared in the communication book and with the nurse.
If I am frustrated with a coworker, this is what I should do.
Walk away, calm down, ask a leader/supervisor for some tools to help promote effective communication.
When I am having a really tough time at work, this is the program available to me to talk to someone/get additional resources.
Employee Assistance Program- first 5 counseling sessions are free. They also offer other resources.
When a resident who is independent and does not have a pendant calls for help, this is what I should do.
Do not assist. It is a liability to assist a resident that does not at least have a pendant. We have no clue what those resident's issues are.
(Story about the lady on Coumadin)
These are the things I should do before I answer a pendant.
Nothing. Medication administration and scheduled services do not come before a pendant. You don't know why a resident pressed their pendant. We also cannot be desensitized and just not answer because that resident "always does this."
Services are listed on the service plan for this reason.
For the nurse to let the staff know what the resident's needs are, and to let the resident and family know what services our staff are providing.
If I call in for my shift, this is how far in advance I need to call in to do so.
2 hours
This is how I receive the good standing bonus.
On time, take your 30 minute breaks, and have no other disciplines or coaching with supervisors.
A resident has a pendant. He doesn't normally press it. When he does, he asks for assistance to the bathroom stating he doesn't feel good. These are the three steps that you should take.
Assist the resident, Call triage, and write the information in the communication book so that further follow up can be done.
You are our eyes and ears. This is clearly out of the norm for this resident so something is going on. Trust your gut. There is no harm in reporting to the triage nurse. It is better to have it documented then for us to find out later that the resident had asked for help, and then has an event the next day.
This is what needs to be carried by a staff member when there is no one at the front desk
Cordless phone. We know that the internet/service sometimes prevents it from being answered, but that doesn't mean you can just choose to not carry it.
When I am running behind and unable to complete a shower, this is what I should do.
Ask co-worker for help. If still unable to accomplish with help, tell the nurse so other alternative solutions can be offered.
If I consistently call in or do not take my break, this is what will happen.
Disciplinary action up to and including termination.
If a resident has an accident, this is what should be done with the laundry.
It should be washed immediately. It is embarrassing already to have an accident. Take the pressure off of the resident, be kind, and take their clothes to be washed.
Make sure to rinse out any BM prior to throwing it in the washing machine.
A resident is believed to have eloped from the building. These are the steps to take.
Search all apartments, bathrooms, common spaces quickly. This is an all hands on deck emergency. Call the family and see if they took resident out. Then Call the ADHS/DON for further direction
This is who is responsible for passing narcotics.
Any aide. This is a delegated task. You do not have to be a lead to be assigned to do this. Eventually all of these type services will be taken off the nurse schedule and put on the RA schedule.
When I am taking care of a resident this is what I should ask the resident before leaving, and this is the task I should do before leaving.
"Is there anything else I can do for you before I leave?"
Take out the trash. Don't leave the room in disarray.
When giving medications, these are the things that need to be done before I give it to the resident.
6 Rights, 3 checks, SIGN AND INITIAL THE CARD.
This is the individual responsible for calling triage.
EVERYONE. There is not one person who should not be calling triage if they have an issue with a resident. This is not just the leads responsibility.
When a resident has a new wound, or the bandage is saturated, this is who I should notify. (answer will depend on your shift)
Nurse on-site, or triage nurse and then put in the communication book.