Overview
Under the direction of a registered nurse or team leader, provides general nursing care to patients
Attends to the general health care and comfort of the patient; observes and records treatment and patient progress and reports to the supervisor patient’s condition or reaction
Administers prescribed medications
Responsibilities
- Vital sign monitoring (B/P, Temperatures (all), Pulse, Resp.).
- Bed bath (complete and partial).
- Sitz bath.
- Bed making (unoccupied, occupied and surgery).
- Oral hygiene care (conscious and unconscious patients).
- Care of patients teeth.
- Care of patient’s hair, shaving, fingernail care, foot care.
- Back rubs.
- Keeps unit clean and neat.
- Answers lights promptly and with courtesy.
- Admits and discharges patient.
- Identifies patient properly.
- Assists with lifting correctly.
- Proper use of wheelchair and transfer of patient to w/c.
- Transfer of patient from bed to stretcher and transport.
- Range of motion exercises and turning patient and proper body alignment in bed.
- Measuring height.
- Weighing patient with bed scales and regular scales.
- Passing and picking up trays.
- Documentation of intake (oral, supplements, snacks & meals).
- Gives and removes bedpans and urinals.
- Measures outputs (urine, Levine’s, drainage tubes, stool).
- Admits patient with orientation to call light, T.V. control, telephone, bill of rights and completes clothing list.
- Gives enemas.
- Collects specimens (urine, stool and sputum).
- Post mortem care.
- Use of mechanical patient lift.
- Uses the lines of authority appropriately.
- Has knowledge and demonstrates appropriate care for patient’s growth and developmental needs.
- Transports patients to other areas.
- Performs pulse oximetry.
- Applies Cardiac monitor.
- Does ACCU Blood Glucose checks.
- Demonstrates appropriate care in regard to patient’s cultural beliefs, values and religion.
- Demonstrates knowledge of assessment and reassessment.
- Demonstrates the ability to recognize basic and life threatening cardiac arrhythmias and follow through with appropriate actions.
- Assist with patient/family education.
- Demonstrated proficiency in medication administration including IV piggyback, IV pushes, and calculations of dosages.
- Demonstrates proficiency in administration of blood and blood components.
- Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse.
- Demonstrates the ability to apply restraints and follows restraint policy.
- Demonstrates the ability of sterile technique with dressing changes.
- Answers patient and family’s questions and issues promptly and with courtesy. Demonstrates good communication skills with patient and families.
- Maintains an awareness of patient’s condition and nursing care needs. Promotes care of the total patient with awareness of psychological, social, cultural, religious and family needs.
- Assists and gives nursing care to group of assigned patients.
- Serves as team leader when assigned.
- Maintains awareness for safety of patient.
- Demonstrates appropriate delegation of tasks and duties through assignment of duties to non-professional personnel according to patient’s needs.
- Demonstrates ability to communicate with physicians and other hospital department personnel.
- Orientates new employees to job requirements, hospital policies, unit personnel, physical unit, unit routines and equipment.
- Relates to each shift concerning appropriate care to all unit patients and uses report time to transfer knowledge of changes in patient status and summary of each patient’s needs.
- Initiates and supports cost containment.
- Checks inventory of supplies and equipment for own shift and restocks for other shifts.
- Observes patient’s condition and reports abnormal reactions and changes in patient condition to RN.
- Refers patient complaints to RN.
- Responds and performs appropriately and effectively in emergency situations.
- Demonstrates knowledge of how to use equipment pertaining to patient care. How to maintain and clean equipment.
- Demonstrates effective communication methods and skills using the lines of authority appropriately.
- CPR certification and Heimlich maneuver.
- Develops and maintains an effective relationship with nursing and medical staff, and other hospital departments.
- Able to answer telephone courteously and professionally.
- Completes assignment in a timely manner.
- Dresses appropriately and meets hygiene standards.
- Demonstrates professional medical care to the sick and disabled without regard to race, sex, age, creed, religion or inability to pay.
- Has knowledge and demonstrates appropriate care for patient’s growth and developmental needs.
- Follows through on tests or procedures left from a previous shift and reports on any incomplete assignments to assure continuity of care.
- Has knowledge and demonstrates appropriate care of nutritional needs.
- Demonstrates appropriate care in regard to patient’s cultural beliefs, values and religion.
- Demonstrates knowledge of psycho social and developmental needs for ages caring for.
Qualifications
Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification:
Must have a copy of a diploma or official transcript of the highest level of education
Licensed Practical Nurse in the State of Arkansas
BLS certification required
ACLS, PALS certification encouraged
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Must be able to communicate with physicians, all levels of hospital personnel, patients, visitors and families.
Pass pharmacology test given by NARMC with a score of 80% or above.
Post-orientation, demonstrate knowledge as to patient care, medications, ability to recognize emergency situations then take appropriate actions.
Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English
