Page 47 - Ombudsman Participant Manual Optimized_Neat

Who’s Who in Long-Term Care Facilities

Position Explanation

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C.N.A. / Certified Nurse Aide In nursing home, the staff who is certified and provides most of

the day-to-day care

Nurse Aid / Personal Care Aide An aide – who is not required to be certified. Non-certified nurse

aides/Personal Care Aides can work in Personal Care homes

L.P.N / Licensed Practical Nurse A licensed nursing professional who can provide medications and
perform some skilled nursing treatments/care – but not all. LPNs

often function as “charge” nurses in nursing homes. They can –

and often do – work in personal care homes but it is not required.

In nursing homes, LPNs can pass meds, monitor blood sugars,

perform some treatments for wound care, breathing, etc. They
will often monitor residents’ symptoms and function as a liaison

with the resident’s doctor.

D.O.N. / Director of Nursing The nursing professional who is typically in charge of the nursing

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department nursing home. The DON is at least an “RN” – can

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have further training/certification. The DON hires nurses,

schedules nurses, monitors the nursing department for

compliance with both regulatory and facility policy. They manage

the CNAs, LPNS, and RNs – and, the restorative nursing staff, the

infection control nurse, and the wound care nurse(s). When a NH

resident cannot get a concern resolved by speaking with the aide,

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the LPN the charge nurse – the DON or Assistant DON (ADON)
may be a resource

R.N. / Registered Nurse A licensed nursing professional who can provide skilled nursing

care and can perform most skilled nursing treatments required

by nursing home residents

Nursing Supervisor / Charge Nurse A nursing professional who supervises a wing, a unit, or a shift at

a facility. Every facility is different. But, generally, the

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“hierarchy” nursing home unit/wing/floor would be:

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CNA then LPN then RN then Nursing Supervisor then ADON/DON.

Restorative Nursing In nursing home – nursing department personnel who are

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responsible for assisting residents maintain their level of

functioning. Often, restorative nursing is used when a resident

achieves their highest possible plateau in therapy. When a

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resident discharged from therapy, restorative nursing may

work with the resident to help them maintain function –

ambulating, stretching, meals etc.

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Wound Care Nurse In nursing home – usually an RN, who is specially trained to

measure, monitor and treat wounds. They monitor for “skin

breakdown” and can implement a preventative plan of care for a

resident who is at risk for skin breakdown. When skin integrity is

achieved, the wound care nurse can also develop a plan to

prevent recurrence,
Infection Control Nurse In nursing home – usually an RN who is specially trained in

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monitoring for the presence of infections and in managing the

plan f care for residents who are diagnosed with certain
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Office of the LTC Ombudsman
Office of the LTC Ombudsman
Version 1.0 September 2020
Version 1.0 September 2020
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