Practical Nurse/Vocational Nurse

Duties

Obtain information from patient and/or family to identify major complaints, symptoms, or reason for seeking health care.

Perform direct patient care and care coordination activities such as referral management, order reconciliation, and activity tracking.

Take all vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respirations, pain level, height, weight, measurement of head circumference, and length); perform behavioral health screenings.

Provide individualized nursing care to patients of all ages.

Assist the physician with various examinations and diagnostic procedures.

Administer oxygen, IV fluid and prescribed oral, rectal, subcutaneous and intramuscular medications.

Perform inhalation treatments, fingerstick glucose, urine dipsticks, visual acuity, phlebotomy, dressing changes, and surgical instrument cleaning and packaging after use.

Perform routine procedures, such as EKGs, eye, throat, nasal and/or wound cultures, dressing changes, ear irrigation, and application of bandages.

US Department of War