N.M. Admin. Code § 8.370.16.50

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 24, December 23, 2024

Section 8.370.16.50 - NURSING SERVICES

A. Definitions:

(1) Nursing personnel: means nurses, nurse aides, nursing assistants, and orderlies.

(2) Ward clerk: means an employee who performs clerical duties of the nursing personnel.

B. Director of nursing services in skilled care and intermediate care facilities:

(1) Staffing requirement: Every skilled care facility and every intermediate care facility shall employ a full-time director of nursing services who may also serve as a charge nurse. The director of nursing services shall work only on the day shift except as in an emergency or required for the proper supervision of nursing personnel.

(2) Qualifications: The director of nursing services shall:

(a) be a registered or licensed practical nurse; and

(b) be trained or experienced in areas such as nursing service administration, restorative nursing, psychiatric nursing, or geriatric nursing.

(3) Duties: The director of nursing services shall be responsible for:

(a) supervising the functions, activities and training of the nursing personnel;

(b) developing and maintaining standard nursing practice, nursing policy and procedure manuals, and written job descriptions for each level of nursing personnel;

(c) coordinating nursing services with other resident services;

(d) designating the charge nurses provided for by this section;

(e) ensuring that the duties of nursing personnel shall be clearly defined and assigned to staff members consistent with the level of education, preparation, experience, and licensing of each.

C. Charge nurses in skilled care facilities and intermediate care facilities:

(1) Staffing requirement:

(a) A skilled nursing facility shall have at least one charge nurse on duty at all times.

(b) An intermediate care facility shall have a charge nurse during every tour of duty.

(2) Qualifications: Unless otherwise required under this paragraph, the charge nurses shall be registered nurses or licensed practical nurses, and shall have had training, or be acquiring training, or have had experience in areas such as nursing service administration, restorative nursing, psychiatric nursing, or geriatric nursing.

(3) Duties:

(a) The charge nurse, if a registered nurse, shall supervise the nursing care of all assigned residents, and delegate the duty to provide for the direct care of specific residents, including administration of medications by nursing personnel based upon individual resident needs, the facility's physical arrangement, and the staff capability.

(b) The charge nurse, if a licensed practical nurse, shall manage and direct the nursing and other activities of other licensed practical nurse and less skilled assistants and shall arrange for the provision of direct care to specific residents, including administration of medications, by nursing personnel based upon individual resident needs, the facility's physical arrangement, and the staff capability.

N.M. Admin. Code § 8.370.16.50

Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXV, Issue 12, June 25, 2024, eff. 7/1/2024