Registered Nurse

Job Title

Registered Nurse

Job Description

This person is under general supervision, is responsible for registered nursing duties of average difficulty based on a wide range of circumstances and performs related work as required. This is the working-level class in the Registered Nurse sub-series. An employee in this class may be assigned to work days, evenings, nights, and/or weekends in an institution, clinic, hospital, home care, or other healthcare setting. An employee in this position provides registered nursing care involving nursing assessment and diagnosis, care planning, implementation/intervention, and evaluation.

Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.

• Taking medical histories, administering physical examinations to patients, making preliminary diagnosis, prescribing treatment, dispensing medication based on diagnosis and providing health education services.
• Provides well/sick care to patients in accordance with established nursing, health, nutritional and medical practices applicable within public health protocol.
• Performs medical history, physical exams and lab tests to determine patient's condition and uses independent judgment and knowledge to ensure correct preliminary and final diagnosis.
• Prescribes treatment and dispenses medication based on a diagnosis/condition.
• Schedules patient appointments for physical exams, health services, educational programs and counseling.
• Conducts well-child exams obtaining measurements, performing needle sticks, providing follow up, and coordinating completion of forms.
• Counsels and educates parents and patients in general health care, nutrition and medical treatments.
• Consults with Nurse Practitioner and Physician to coordinate and integrate care. Makes referrals and recommendations for further treatment and/or medical assistance, and prepares necessary reports to other agencies and medical professionals regarding referrals and recommendations.
• Maintains supplies of training and educational material, and manages the clinical environment and medical supplies for the clinic.
• Handles emergencies by making an immediate determination and decision as to what procedures are to be implemented.
• Administers required immunizations and maintains County immunization program records; observes patient reaction, updates patient's records and notifies parents and patients of needed immunizations through mail and telephone contact.
• Participates in mass clinic for immunizations and health fairs to promote public awareness and provide general health care.
• Reviews lab reports and blood screening reports for determination, and notifies and counsels patients according to test results.
• Administers TB tests.
• Keeps abreast of changes in policy, methods, computer operations, and equipment needs as they pertain to departmental operations and activities.
• Utilizes the computer system to trace or update medical history records and to maintain the immunization program and employee records.
• Updates patient charts; assembles information; and makes written reports and documents concerning diagnosis, treatment and counseling of patients in a concise, clear and effective manner.
• Demonstrates good organizational, management, human relations and technical skills within the Health Department and among peers, supervisors or the general public.
• Performs such administrative duties as typing routine correspondence, completing insurance/school forms and answering the telephone calls.
• Attends classes, seminars and training programs to enhance job skills and knowledge.

Qualifications

JOB QUALIFICATIONS – KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Competencies:

• Business Acumen
• Creativity
• Dealing with Ambiguity
• Decision Quality
• Delegation
• Organizing
• Planning
• Conflict Management
• Perseverance
• Written Communications
• Ethics and Values
• Integrity and Trust

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of accepted nursing practices and techniques and complex medical treatments
• Knowledge of applicable laws, policies, procedures, agency administrative directives, regulations and rules
• Knowledge of clinical and administrative procedures
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction
• Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to assess and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive healthcare measures
• Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders

Skills:

• The skill in the application of complex professional nursing techniques
• The skill to demonstrate critical thinking techniques to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
• The skill to understand the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making
• The skill to give full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times
• The skill to select and use training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things
• The skill to monitor/access the performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action
• The skill to understand written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents
• The skill to use scientific rules and methods to solve problems
• The skill to adjust actions in relation to others' actions
• The skill to being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do
• The skill to identify complex problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions
• The skill to consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one

Abilities:

• The ability to function independently without close/continuous supervision
• The ability to manage change
• The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events)
• The ability to communicate (verbally and written) information and ideas
• The ability to assess and monitor healthcare outcomes
• The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem
• The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong
• The ability to multitask between two or more activities or sources of information
• The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects
• The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing
• The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer)
• The ability to see under low light conditions
• The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you
• The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person
• The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS/ACTIVITIES:

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.
• Vocal communication and normal hearing are required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Acceptable verbal and conversation skills to effectively communicate with others via the phone, at meetings and to greet and assist visitors.
• Ability to recognize occupational hazards in work activities