N.J. Admin. Code § 8:42C-7.3

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 9, May 6, 2024

Section 8:42C-7.3 - Nursing staff qualifications and responsibilities

(a) The governing authority shall appoint a full-time director of nursing or nursing supervisor who shall be available at the hospice. An alternate or alternates shall be designated in writing to act in the absence of the director. An individual employed in the capacity of a full-time director of nursing as of June 21, 1999 shall not be subject to the qualifications for that position under N.J.A.C. 8:42C-1.2 while he or she continues in that position with the hospice that employed him or her prior to June 21, 1999, but the individual who begins employment in the capacity of a full-time director after that date shall meet the qualifications for that position set forth at N.J.A.C. 8:42C-1.2.

(b) The director of nursing or nursing supervisor shall be responsible for the direction, provision, and quality of nursing services. He or she shall be responsible for at least the following:

1. The overall planning, supervision, and administration of nursing services;

2. The coordination and integration of nursing services with other hospice services to provide a continuum of care for the patient;

3. The development of protocols for regular verbal communication, including case conferencing, between the nursing service and other disciplines based on the needs of each patient;

4. The development of written job descriptions and performance criteria for nursing personnel, and assigning duties based upon education, training, competencies, and job descriptions; and

5. Ensuring that nursing services are provided to the patient as specified in the nursing plan of care.

(c) Registered professional nurses and licensed practical nurses shall provide nursing care to patients commensurate with their scope of practice, as delineated in the Nurse Practice Act, N.J.S.A. 45:11-23 et seq. Nursing care shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. The promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health;

2. The prevention of infection, accident, and injury;

3. Performance of an initial assessment by a registered professional nurse and identification of problems for each patient upon admission to the nursing service;

4. Reassessment of the patient's nursing care needs on an ongoing, patient-specific basis and providing care which is consistent with the medical plan of treatment;

5. Monitoring the patient's response to nursing care; and

6. Teaching, supervising, and counseling the patient, family members, and staff regarding nursing care and the patient's needs, including other related problems of the patient at home.

i. A registered professional nurse or a member of the interdisciplinary team shall initiate these functions, which may be reinforced by licensed nursing personnel.

(d) Nursing staff shall administer medications in accordance with all Federal and State laws and rules.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:42C-7.3

Administrative correction.
See: 31 New Jersey Register 1954(a).