BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION:

1. Administers nursing care to designated patients under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse. Performs a variety of direct and indirect patient care duties utilizing nursing process.

2. Participates in Quality Improvement.

3. Promotes good public relations for the nursing department/hospital.

4. Implements, transcribes, and/or countersigns physician’s orders.

5. Competently administers medications with knowledge of action, mode of administration, side effects and contraindications.

6. Assists physicians with diagnostic tests and procedures as required.

7. Assists with admitting, discharging and transferring patients.

8. Possesses knowledge and skill to function effectively as a team leader.

9. Provides leadership by working cooperatively with ancillary departments and other patient care team members.

10. Competently performs core and unit specific clinical skills.

11. Demonstrates ability to possess clinical data and communicate to physician /nurse practitioner in order to make sound clinical decisions.

12. Utilizes nursing assessment skills to participate in planning, implementing and evaluating patient care.

13. Utilizes nursing process to participate in identifying biophysical, psychosocial, environmental, self care, discharge planning, spiritual and educational needs of patient, family, and/or significant other.

14. Participates in patient/family teaching.

15. Calls in medications to pharmacist at patient requested pharmacy.

16. Assists in compiling information for chart and filing information in chart.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: Graduate from an approved school of practical nursing. BLS training.

LICENSE: Possess current licensure by Missouri State Board of Nursing.

CREDENTIALS: I.V. Therapy Certification preferred.

EXPERIENCE: Previous nursing experience preferred.

SPECIAL:

PATIENT CONTACT: Must have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.

PHYSICAL:

STANDING: Majority of shift spent standing.

WALKING: Considerable amount of time spent walking.

LIFTING: Must use good body mechanics to independently lift or in certain situations, assist with lifting/transferring a patient.

VISUAL: Must have ability to read physician orders and observe patient care areas; utilize inspection skills during patient assessment.

HEARING: Must be able to receive/comprehend telephone calls; auscultate and percuss during physical assessment.

SPEAKING: Talking is essential in communicating physician orders and addressing patient/family needs and/or requests.