Summary
Nurses care for people who are sick, injured, convalescent or disabled. Under general supervision, they deliver care to patients utilizing the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention, implementation, and evaluation, in accordance with established philosophy. Nurses collaborate with other professional disciplines to ensure effective patient care delivery and achievement of desired patient outcomes. Nurses effectively interact with patient and significant others, while maintaining the standard of professional nursing. The nature of the direction and supervision required for this position varies by State and job setting. Geriatric Nurses care for the physical and psychosocial needs of older adults. They focus on maximizing patients’ functional abilities, as well as promoting, maintaining and restoring their physical and mental health.
Responsibilities
Geriatric Nurses provide direct and individualized nursing care to older patients based on the application of scientific nursing principles. Responsibilities of Geriatric Nurses include (but are not limited to):
• Consults and coordinates with health care team members to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care plans
• Prepares and administers (orally, subcutaneously, through an IV) and records prescribed medications.
• Reports adverse reactions to medications or treatments in accordance with the policy regarding the administration of medications by a licensed registered nurse
• Records patients’ medical information and vital signs
• Assesses the patients’ ability to do routine daily tasks
• Assists patients with such basic needs as dressing, eating, and bathing, and encourages patients to do things for themselves to retain feelings of independence and self-esteem
• Recognizes and manages geriatric syndromes common to older adults, including: cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary, hematological, musculoskeletal, endocrine, neurological, psychiatric/psychosocial, integumentary, sensory and pain problems
• Prepares equipment and aids physician during examination and treatment of patient
• Facilitates older adults’ active participation in all aspects of their own health care
• Involves, educates, and when appropriate, supervises family/significant others in implementing best practices for older adults
• Promotes the desirability of quality end-of-life care for older adults
• Records all care information concisely, accurately and completely, in a timely manner, in the appropriate format and on the appropriate forms
• Performs other position-related duties as assigned, depending on assignment setting
Depending on setting, may also:
• Direct care provided by licensed practical nurse and nursing aides
• Float among various clinical services, where qualified and competent
Other Responsibilities
• Completes required orientation as directed by facility
• Follows facility and OSHA safety rules and procedures while on assignment
• Follows facility and GHR Unusual Occurrence Protocol
• Respects cultural and religious practices of patients
• Upholds HIPAA regulations
• Punctual and dependent for assigned/confirmed shifts

Working Conditions
Because patients need round-the-clock care, working hours include days, nights, weekends and holidays. The number of patients assigned per shift will vary with facility and specialty, if applicable. Nurses spend considerable time walking, bending, stretching and standing; they assist in patient transfers. Nurses must guard against back injury because they may have to assist CNAs in patient lifts and transfers; they must follow proper body mechanics and procedures for lifting/moving patients. Nurses may face hazards from exposure to chemicals and infectious diseases. In addition, the population cared for will contain patients that are confused, irrational, agitated, or uncooperative, from diagnoses, such as Alzheimer’s.

Physical Demands
• Ability to lift twenty (20) pounds. Moving, lifting or transferring of patients may involve lifting of up to fifty
• (50) pounds, as well as assist with weights of more than one-hundred (100) pounds.
• Ability to stand for extended periods
• Fine motor skills
• Visual acuity
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach forward with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift or move 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.