The staff nurse is responsible for assessing, planning, supervising, and evaluating the nursing care of assigned patients. They also function as team leaders, guiding other nursing personnel and ensuring compliance with established standards and policies.
Requirements summary
Candidates must have graduated from an accredited School of Nursing and be eligible for or currently licensed as an RN or LPN in Kentucky. Additional requirements include ACLS certification within one year of employment and maintaining current BLS certification.
SUMMARY: The staff nurse is a graduate of an approved school of nursing and is currently licensed to practice as a professional nurse in the state of Kentucky. The Staff Nurse, under supervision of the House Supervisor and Director of Nursing, is responsible for the nursing care of the patients assigned to him/her and as a team leader, directs others in patient care. He/she should have a thorough knowledge of nursing principles and procedures, knowledge and skill in techniques of good patient care.
PRIMARY
Responsibilities &
AUTHORITIES: A. Assess physical and mental status, plans, supervises, and evaluates the care of all patients assigned. 1. Able to correctly assess the patients physical and mental condition and identify the patients needs. 2. Completes assessment of patient on admission and a nursing admission note is recorded on the patients record. 3. Initiates on admission a written patient care plan including identified problems/action and discharge plan. 4. Recognizes and interprets signs and symptoms by continually assessing the patients condition. This is done both by observation and data collection. Pertinent information must be documented in the patients medical record and reported to the physician. B. Functions as assigned team leader. 1. Responsible for providing care within established standards and policies. Assist with orientation of new personnel. 2. Instructs, guides and assists other nursing personnel in documentation of care to ensure satisfactory nursing practice. Provides instruction and supervision as needed by team members. Must be technically capable of performing and supervising procedures as described in the Nursing Practice Guideline Manual. 3. Assumes responsibility for care of all patients assigned. Closely supervises, assists, and/or cares for the acutely ill patient. Is willing and does as is required in all nursing functions. a. Uses good judgment in assigning the care of the more acutely ill patients to the most qualified nursing team member. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & AUTHORITIES (cont.): b. Plans work, sets priorities and delegates nursing functions so that work is equitably assigned. 4. Plans, implements and documents patient and family teaching programs. 5. Prepares the patient physically and psychologically for treatments, surgical procedures and diagnostic studies. 6. Assists the physician with examinations and treatments. 7. Make patient rounds with physician. 8. Following instructions initiates I. V. infusions (including blood), administers I. V. medications, does daily I. V. care and follows hospital policy in regard to changing I. V. needles and tubing. Accurately monitors I. V. infusion rates. 9.. Reports pertinent information at the end of the shift to oncoming shift. 10. Administers medication (including I. V. meds), following the Nursing Practice Guidelines in the Nursing Practice Guidelines Manual. 11. Performs and supervises extra duty assignments to see that they are completed. 12. Performs extra duties as assigned by House Supervisor/Charge Nurse or Director of Nursing. C. Interprets, transcribes, and carries out physicians orders. 1. Physicians orders are interpreted and transcribed accurately to the MedAct and Medication Administration Record. 2. Initiates all new orders promptly, either personally or by delegating function. All STAT orders are to be initiated immediately. D. Responsible for accurate documentation and maintaining completed records. 1. Must assess and summarize each patients status at least once each twelve hours. a. Summarization must include statement relevant to progress on status of admission disease process. 2. Documentation includes other health problems relative to care. a. Treatments, diagnostic studies, and medications are documented with results and responses. 1. When documenting dressing change include condition of skin, wound, type and amount of drainage and any odor. 2. Use specific descriptive terms in documentation. b. Oxygen therapy must be documented each twelve hours. c. Decubitus care treatment and response each twelve hours. d. Mental status, restraints, bed rails when applicable. e. Teaching f. Discharge Planning 3. Complete Discharge Instruction Sheet, when patient is discharged and document all patient teaching.
OTHER
DUTIES
AND
RESPONSIBILITIES: A. Job conduct, professional responsibility, dress, in-service, committee activity, and continuing education. 1. Serves as a role model for all team members by setting an example of high standards in dress, conduct, attitude and performance. 2. Is emotionally mature and stable. Accepts responsibility for own and team members actions and omissions. 3. Observes confidentiality and safe guards all patient-related information. 4. Observes personal hygiene and dress code as outlined in the Employee Handbook and Nursing Department Dress Code. 5. Attends all mandatory in-services. (Fire, Safety, CPR, Competency etc.) 6. Attends all but 2 Nursing staff meetings per year unless excused by Nursing Administration. PRN staff are only required to attend 2 per year. 7. Accepts responsibility for regular attendance and reporting to work on time. 8. Earns 14 hours of Continuing Education every year as required to maintain a current active nursing license per Kentucky Board of Nursing Guidelines. 9. Willing to work extra shifts to meet the needs of patient, unit, and hospital. 10. Investigates and reports to the Director of Nursing any problems relating to patient care, unit and/or personnel. B. Initiation of Incident Reports and Investigation of all incidents. 1. Any accident, lost article or unusual occurrence is investigated with the proper report initiated. 2. The House Supervisor/Charge Nurse is to be notified of such incidents. C. Maintains quiet, clean, safe physical surroundings. 1. Must speak quietly and supervise conduct of other employees and correct when indicated. 2. Assists in keeping patient rooms clean, neat, equipment in place, old or unused articles discarded, clothing in closet, trash emptied as needed. 3. Instructs personnel in good body mechanics and safety rules, when observed in non-compliance.
MINIMUM
Qualifications (Education,
Experience,
SKILLS,
ABILITIES): A. Must have graduated from an accredited School of Nursing. B. Must either be eligible for or currently licensed as a RN in the state of Kentucky. May also be a Licensed Practical Nurse (See job Description below) OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, REGISTRATIONS, ETC.) ACLS certification required within 1 year of employment. Maintains a current BLS certification. Maintains up to date yearly competencies and shows a high level of skill.
Physical
DEMANDS: Lifting varied weights, pulling, and standing for long periods of time. Stressful environment due to multiple tasks and working with multiple departments.
WORK
ENVIRONMENT: Work areas are often cramped around patients beds, equipment use required. Frequently required to use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to body, blood and other potentially hazardous body fluids.
LPN
Position
SUMMARY: The Licensed Practical Nurse assists the Registered Nurse in the delivery of nursing care, and also assists in patient teaching responsibilities. Is responsible for the nursing care of the patients assigned to him/her and as a team leader, directs others in patient care. He/she should have a thorough knowledge of nursing principles and procedures, knowledge and skill in techniques of good patient care.
PRIMARY
Responsibilities &
AUTHORITIES: I. Clinical Nursing Practice and Patient Care Activities A. Assists in providing nursing care to patients through use of the nursing process by assessing physical and mental status and evaluating the care of all patients assigned. 1.. Completes assessment of patient on admission and documents in the patients electronic record. 2. Initiates on admission a patient care plan including identified problems/action and discharge plan. 3. Recognizes and interprets signs and symptoms by continually assessing the patients condition. This is done both by observation and data collection. Pertinent information must be documented in the patients medical record and reported to the physician. 4. Functions within limits of LPN Scope of Practice Act, along with hospital and nursing policies and procedures. B. Functions as assigned team leader. 1. Assist with orientation of new personnel. 2. Instructs, guides and assists other nursing personnel in documentation of care to ensure satisfactory nursing care. 3. Prepares the patient physically and psychologically for treatments, surgical procedures and diagnostic studies. 6. Assists the physician with examinations and treatments. 7. Make patient rounds with physician.
Position
Licensed Practical Nurse 8. Initiates IV therapy as per hospital policy and scope of practice for Licensed Practical Nurses in Kentucky. Administers I. V. medications within scope of practice, does daily I. V. care and follows hospital policy in regard to changing I. V. needles and tubing. Accurately monitors I. V. infusion rates. 9. Reports pertinent information at the end of the shift to oncoming shift. C. Interprets, transcribes, and carries out physicians orders. 1. Physicians orders are interpreted and transcribed accurately to the MedAct and Medication Administration Record. 2. Initiates all new orders promptly, either personally or by delegating function. All STAT orders are to be initiated immediately. D. Responsible for accurate documentation and maintaining completed records. 1. Must assess and summarize each patients status at least once each twelve hours and prn a. Summarization must include statement relevant to progress on status of admission disease process. 2. Documentation includes other health problems relative to care. a. Treatments, diagnostic studies, and medications are documented with results and responses. 1. When documenting dressing change include condition of skin, wound, type and amount of drainage and any odor. 2. Use specific descriptive terms in documentation. b. Oxygen therapy must be documented each twelve hours. c. Decubitus care treatment and response each twelve hours. d. Performs treatments or assists in treatments and procedures; such as insertion of straight and retention catheter, administering tube feedings, changing and application of dressings and compresses, and doing oral, nasal, and tracheal suctioning. e. Keeps Registered Nursing personnel informed regarding changing conditions of patients and/or other pertinent observations. f. Mental status, restraints, bed rails when applicable. g. Teaching h. Discharge Planning 3. Complete Discharge Instruction Sheet, when patient is discharged and document all patient teaching. E. Patient and Family Instruction/Education A. Assists in assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient and family instruction. 1. Provides support for emotional needs. 2. Teaches appropriate self-care. 3. Advocates use of community resources.
Position
Licensed Practical Nurse F. Other Activities Related to patient care A. Develops and maintains interpersonal relationships with patients, visitors, and hospital personnel. B. Keeps patient information confidential and respects patients right to privacy. C. Assists in maintaining a clean, safe environment for patients and co-workers. D. Participates in in-service programs for self-enrichment to maintain the high quality of nursing practice, and seeks further growth through other education opportunities. E. Willing to work extra shifts to meet the needs of patient, unit, and hospital.
OTHER
DUTIES
AND
RESPONSIBILITIES: A. Attends all mandatory in-services. (Fire, Safety, CPR, ACLS, Competency etc.) B. Attends all but 2 Nursing staff meetings per year unless excused by Nursing Administration. PRN staff are only required to attend 2 per year. C. Accepts responsibility for regular attendance and reporting to work on time. D. Earns 14 hours of Continuing Education every year as required to maintain a current active nursing license per Kentucky Board of Nursing Guidelines E. Performs extra duties as assigned by House Supervisor/Charge Nurse or Director of Nursing.
MINIMUM
Qualifications (Education,
Experience,
SKILLS,
ABILITIES): A. Must have graduated from an accredited School of Nursing. B. Must either be eligible for or currently licensed as a LPN in the state of Kentucky. OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, REGISTRATIONS, ETC.) ACLS certification required within 1 year of employment. Maintains a current BLS certification. Maintains up to date yearly competencies and shows a high level of skill.
Physical
DEMANDS: Good physical and mental health, able to work under pressure, and relate to patients, hospital staff and visitors.
WORK
ENVIRONMENT: Work areas often cramped around patients beds, equipment use required. Also, there is risk of possible exposure to body fluids, blood, and various infectious diseases. Qualifications
