A Registered Nurse provides medical care and treatment, educates patients about their conditions, and provides emotional support to patients and families. Works in hospitals, schools, clinics or community health centers. Works under the supervision of a physician or other specialist, and serves as the primary point of care for patients in a hospital setting. May specialize in emergency room work, or treatment for a particular condition, or specialize in working with infants, the elderly or other patient groups. May work as an advanced practice specialists and prescribe medications in addition to offering specialty care.
Responsible for conducting comprehensive nursing assessment of clients' medical need, conferring with clinical team members to develop care plans, and implementing plans and case management to identified needs. Performs triage, and routine or complex treatments as prescribed or warranted. Serves as member of treatments team by reporting client observations and evaluations of medical problems. Administers prescribed medication. Conducts educational classes and seminars for clients and staff concerning, health, medical issues, infection control and so forth. Maintains client charts, documents and records related to assessment, diagnoses, treatments. Assists physicians in conducting examinations and treatments.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Conducts comprehensive nursing assessment of clients' medical needs which includes completing medical and substance abuse history, taking vitals, and collecting laboratory specimens. Confers with clinical team members and uses professional judgment to determine appropriate medical diagnosis, and develop and implement care plans to address identified client needs. Responsible for client medical case management which includes determining developmentally appropriate referral resources for clients requiring further medical dental, or psychiatric diagnosis or treatment, and scheduling appointments; coordinating client transportation to scheduled appointments; conducting follow-up to ensure successful implementation of care plan and completion of necessary exams, tests and treatments; evaluating client responses to treatments; instructing clients in self-care; and completing discharge plan summaries. Performs triage of clients presenting symptoms, and performs both complex and routine treatments as prescribed by physician or as warranted by assessed condition, in accordance with protocols. Refers more complex injuries or illnesses to appropriate health care professional. Serves as member to treatment team by reporting client observations, and evaluations of medical problems and potential barriers to achieving functional state or health to support recovery. Facilitates group or individual counseling as necessary to provide motivational or educational support to clients. Administers or supervises client self-administered medications by physician. Monitors clients for reactions, side effects, or contradictions; and confers as necessary with physician or pharmacist on withholding or continuing medication. Contacts pharmacy to order prescribed medications. Dispenses nonprescription medications as necessary and appropriate. Conducts educational classes and seminars for clients and staff concerning, health, treatment of medical issues related to substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, infection control, and so forth. May conduct certified training in CPR for staff. Completes required documentation on class participation, progress, and attendance. Documents and charts client assessment data, medical needs, scheduled appointment, treatment plan, and so forth; transcribes physician orders; and maintains client records in compliance with all local state and federal laws. Maintains confidentiality of records. Assists physicians or psychiatrists in conducting examinations and treatments by setting up room and supplies for scheduled procedure, explaining procedure to clients and electing their cooperation, passing instruments and supplies, accepting and labeling specimen, and so forth. Conducts annual tuberculosis testing, and maintains related records in compliance with all applicable governmental laws and regulations Develops and maintains rapport with local medical community to reinforce positive working relationships Serves on variety of committees to support and development and administration of center policies and procedures. Maintains effective working relationships with variety of personnel to resolve operational problems, and coordinate delivery of care. Performs variety of related duties such as collecting and documenting infection control, quality assurance and utilization review data; documenting interventions and incidents; retrieving and filing client record; ordering and storing approved supplies; ensuring nursing areas are clean and orderly. May perform vision and hearing screening tests, and conduct advance CPR training for staff.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
Associate's degree in Nursing Current State license as a Vocational Nurse Demonstrated skills and knowledge of the principles of physical growth and development and psychosocial development; to provide health-related care appropriate to the developmental stage and population of client population Agility to manage client health care activities, and work independently in developing and implementing appropriate responses to identified medical needs, at a level normally acquired through two to three years related experience in a social service environment. Interpersonal skills to obtain assessment information, instruct clients and elicit their cooperation in managing their care, conduct educational classes, and maintain effective working relationships and contacts with other employees and health care professionals. High level analytical skills necessary to evaluate medical needs, implement and document nursing care plans, and develop solutions to difficult problems concerning clients' mental or physical well-being.
Physical Requirements:
Normal or corrected vision and some color vision, necessary to read thermometers, blood pressure gauges, dipstick analysis results, and so forth to see and evaluate presented symptoms and injuries Communication abilities necessary to gather and exchange information with clients and staff in person or by telephone, provide care instructions, and schedule appointments Proofreading and checking documents for accuracy, and reading reports on a regular basis. Ability to respond to telephone and, pages, and intercoms Manual dexterity necessary to manipulate instruments and syringes, apply bandages or sterile wipes, and accept and pass instruments and specimens; and touch sensitivity necessary to detect pulse, palpate body areas, and perform treatments with minimal client discomfort Ability to use a keyboard and video display terminal to receive, retrieve, and/or audit information and data on a regular basis Ability to stoop and bend, ability to reach and grab with arms and hands, and ability to walk and move about for up to two hours at a time
Working Conditions:
Works in a treatment facility where there is exposure to potentially disruptive clients. Potential for harm is limited if established security precautions and procedures are followed. Normal client environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, temperature and the like. Regular exposure to needles, noxious fumes or odors, blood and other specimens, and communicable diseases. The potential for injury or harm is limited if established safety and infection control precautions are followed.
