Hi guys I have had my license since July. I was working home health but was bored to death. I got a job at an assisted living facility. I was reading other post for assisted living and think something is wrong. So if anybody can answer some of the following questions I would greatly appreciate it.
My job description/ duties.
I work in the Alzeheimers/ Dementia ward. (basically the charge nurse)I have three seperate halls. I have a total of 52 residents. We have only 1 (one) LVN per shift for all three halls and two RA's (residential assistants) per hall, No RN. But have Ph#'s to call for questions. All doors are locked and alarmed. My residents range in ADL's from a gentle reminder to needing to be dressed and fed.
MY job duties:
I pass all of the meds to all 52 residents according to the MAR. They all take tons of meds. If I don't get any interruptions I will finish 8 a.m's about 11:30 (but I am constantly having to stop to answer the phone, speak with family etc..)
I do all of the BP's, BS's and Pulses and insulin of those who need them.
I answer the phone and make calls to the family when the residents want to speak with them.
I do all of the initial assessments and put together the charts for new residents.
I call orders for refills on meds, talk to the D.R.s and families.
Keep track of who is in or out of the facility, who they are with and why.
I monitor and pass meds for daycare and respites and give the family a report when they pick them up.
If a door alarm goes off I am to stop what I am doing and see where and why it went off.
I have to sign for all meds and equipment being delivered
We use focus charting, so I usually only have to do notes in 10 or 15 charts a day.
I have to coordinate care with VNA/hospice/family/M.D..
I do all of the wound care.
If somebody calls off then I have to find a replacement for their shift.
Not mention all of the general paperwork that would keep a normal person busy for hours.
I understand that these are all in my scope of practice but isn't one person being responsible for 52 pt's (plus any extras for daycare and respite) a little crazy? Can they have this pt load because they are called an assisted living instead of a SNF? I see some of the others doing assisted living only have 6 pt's!
Oh by the way this is in California.