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

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• Vital sign monitoring (B/P, Temperatures (all), Pulse, Resp.).
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• Bed bath (complete and partial).
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• Sitz bath.
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• Bed making (unoccupied, occupied and surgery).
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• Oral hygiene care (conscious and unconscious patients).
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• Care of patients teeth.
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• Care of patient’s hair, shaving, fingernail care, foot care.
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• Back rubs.
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• Keeps unit clean and neat.
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• Answers lights promptly and with courtesy.
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• Admits and discharges patient.
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• Identifies patient properly.
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• Assists with lifting correctly.
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• Proper use of wheelchair and transfer of patient to w/c.
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• Transfer of patient from bed to stretcher and transport.
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• Range of motion exercises and turning patient and proper body alignment in bed.
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• Measuring height.
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• Weighing patient with bed scales and regular scales.
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• Passing and picking up trays.
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• Documentation of intake (oral, supplements, snacks & meals).
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• Gives and removes bedpans and urinals.
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• Measures outputs (urine, Levine’s, drainage tubes, stool).
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• Admits patient with orientation to call light, T.V. control, telephone, bill of rights and completes clothing list.
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• Gives enemas.
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• Collects specimens (urine, stool and sputum).
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• Post mortem care.
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• Use of mechanical patient lift.
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• Uses the lines of authority appropriately.
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• Has knowledge and demonstrates appropriate care for patient’s growth and developmental needs.
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• Transports patients to other areas.
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• Performs pulse oximetry.
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• Applies Cardiac monitor.
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• Does ACCU Blood Glucose checks.
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• Demonstrates appropriate care in regard to patient’s cultural beliefs, values and religion.
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• Demonstrates knowledge of assessment and reassessment.
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• Demonstrates the ability to recognize basic and life threatening cardiac arrhythmias and follow through with appropriate actions.
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• Assist with patient/family education.
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• Demonstrated proficiency in medication administration including IV piggyback, IV pushes, and calculations of dosages.
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• Demonstrates proficiency in administration of blood and blood components.
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• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse.
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• Demonstrates the ability to apply restraints and follows restraint policy.
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• Demonstrates the ability of sterile technique with dressing changes.
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• Answers patient and family’s questions and issues promptly and with courtesy.  Demonstrates good communication skills with patient and families.
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• 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.
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• Assists and gives nursing care to group of assigned patients.
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• Serves as team leader when assigned.
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• Maintains awareness for safety of patient.
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• Demonstrates appropriate delegation of tasks and duties through assignment of duties to non-professional personnel according to patient’s needs.
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• Demonstrates ability to communicate with physicians and other hospital department personnel.
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• Orientates new employees to job requirements, hospital policies, unit personnel, physical unit, unit routines and equipment.
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• 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.
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• Initiates and supports cost containment.
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• Checks inventory of supplies and equipment for own shift and restocks for other shifts.
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• Observes patient’s condition and reports abnormal reactions and changes in patient condition to RN.
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• Refers patient complaints to RN.
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• Responds and performs appropriately and effectively in emergency situations.
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• Demonstrates knowledge of how to use equipment pertaining to patient care.  How to maintain and clean equipment.
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• Demonstrates effective communication methods and skills using the lines of authority appropriately.
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• CPR certification and Heimlich maneuver.
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• Develops and maintains an effective relationship with nursing and medical staff, and other hospital departments.
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• Able to answer telephone courteously and professionally.
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• Completes assignment in a timely manner.
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• Dresses appropriately and meets hygiene standards.
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• Demonstrates professional medical care to the sick and disabled without regard to race, sex, age, creed, religion or inability to pay.
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• Has knowledge and demonstrates appropriate care for patient’s growth and developmental needs.
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• Follows through on tests or procedures left from a previous shift and reports on any incomplete assignments to assure continuity of care.
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• Has knowledge and demonstrates appropriate care of nutritional needs.
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• Demonstrates appropriate care in regard to patient’s cultural beliefs, values and religion.
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• Demonstrates knowledge of psycho social and developmental needs for ages caring for.
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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