(a)

1. (1) In skilled nursing facilities, the director of nursing services shall designate as charge nurse for each shift a:

   1. (A) Registered nurse;
   2. (B) Licensed practical nurse; or
   3. (C) Licensed psychiatric technician nurse.
2. (2) Responsibilities of the charge nurse shall include supervision of the total nursing activities in the facility during his or her assigned tour of duty.

(b)

1. (1) In intermediate care facilities, the director of nursing services shall designate as charge nurse for each shift a:

   1. (A) Registered nurse;
   2. (B) Licensed practical nurse; or
   3. (C) Licensed psychiatric technician nurse.
2. (2) In facilities admitting or retaining patients requiring medications or treatments on the night shift, the charge nurse designated on the night shift must be a licensed nurse.

(c) The charge nurse's duties shall include as a minimum:

1. (1) Responsibility for observation of work performance of aides in delivery of direct care;
2. (2) Administration of medication if there is no assigned medication nurse;
3. (3) Ordering medications from the pharmacy;
4. (4) All direct observations of patients to observe and evaluate physical and emotional status;
5. (5) Delegate responsibility for the direct care of specific patients to the nursing staff based on the need of the patients;
6. (6) Taking phone orders from physicians or dentists;
7. (7) Giving shift report to the next shift;
8. (8) Shift count of control drugs; and
9. (9) Dietary observations.

(d)

1. (1) The director of nursing services shall not serve as charge nurse in a skilled nursing facility with an average daily total occupancy of seventy-one (71) or more patients.
2. (2) Waivered licensed practical nurses shall not serve as charge nurse unless they have passed the state pool examination or public health proficiency examination.