Description

The following is a composite representation of the actual positions which make up this classification. It is not intended to cover all possible job requirements or job factors which, if applicable, are included by reference. Lines of supervision and reporting are as shown on an organizational chart. TrueCore has zero tolerance for abuse.

A. Position Definition & Summary:

Under the direction of a supervisor delivers quality direct resident care under appropriate clinical supervision to adolescents with psychiatric or emotional disorders. Serves actively and constructively as a member of the organizations multidisciplinary treatment team and supports the organizations and adolescent programs philosophy of care. Performs such duties as are required in the care of patients, involving the carrying out of medical orders prescribed by a licensed physician and requiring the professional service outlined in the definition of registered, professional nursing; does related work as required.

B. Position Expectations and Essential Functions:

• Assists in the physical examination of patients including the taking and recording of temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure, and the collection of specimens for laboratory analyses.

• Examines patient's eyes, ears, teeth, and bodies regularly to see that proper hygiene is carried out by nonprofessional resident care personnel.

• Administers first aid to patients in instances of sudden illness or accident until a staff physician arrives.

• Charts patient care and treatment measures.

• Administers treatments under physician's orders.

• Assists with the setting up of equipment used for various treatment applications.

• Reports changes in temperature, pulse, respiration, and other patient conditions to the Health Services Administrator or a physician.

• Assists patients with braces and prosthetic devices.

• Carries out prescribed isolation techniques.

• Dispenses medication as indicated including the measuring and giving of liquid medication by mouth provided that no calculations or fractional doses are required; gives pills, capsules, and powders by mouth.

• Evaluates, on a continuing basis, the positive and/or negative effects of medications on patients.

• Performs routine assigned nursing procedures, such as bathing, dressing and feeding patients; making beds and helps patients into and out of bed.

• Collects urine, sputum, and other specimens from patients by having patient place the specimens into containers; labels containers for forwarding to laboratory for analysis.

• When instructed, administers prescribed medications orally and observes patients to see that they take their medication.

• Applies external medications to patients such as salves, ointments, and powders as specifically directed by a superior.

• Gathers information for the preparation of inventory records, such as amounts of drugs, linens, medical, and other supplies.

• Positions patients according to prescribed practices and assists patients with simple exercises.

• Notifies the physician or supervisor as to any conditions of the patient requiring medical attention, other than those already under treatment such as vision or hearing problems or the need for dental care.

• Takes patient temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, height and weight, and records results on patient chart.

• Observes patients closely for reaction to drugs, treatment, any other unusual conditions such as physical and/or emotional problems, and reports adverse reactions or problems to immediate supervisor.

• Requisitions and accurately records individual dosages of medication administered.

• Counsels patients concerning their medications by utilizing medication fact sheets.

• Accounts for narcotics, barbiturates, and other accountable drugs before each shift.

• Prepares and gives medication, including insulin, by subcutaneous hypodermic and intramuscular injections.

• Prepares supplies for sterilization.

• Requisitions, maintains, and accounts for medical supplies, tools, and equipment which must be kept ready for use within the treatment room.

• Acts as a liaison between nonprofessional resident care personnel and medical and professional nursing staff regarding medication changes and patient symptoms or behavior changes.

• Instructs nonprofessional resident care personnel on their medically related job duties and follows up on their performance periodically.

• Assists with the admission, discharge, and transfer of patients.

• Interprets rules and regulations to other staff, patients, members of patients' families, and visitors.

• Keeps accurate medical records.

• Prepares accurate factual reports.

• Contributes as a member of the health care team in the determination of treatment and performance goals and participates and involves patient in goal planning sessions.

• Teaches patient education classes in areas of physical health care, good grooming and hygiene, and personal appearance.

• Effectively implements and consistently applies the programs Positive Performance System (PPS) / Behavior Management System (BMS).

• Detect, respond and prevent abuse of youth.

• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications

C. Position Requirements:

Education:

• Must be a graduate of an approved and licensed school of nursing

• Possess current, valid RN license to practice in state.

Other Requirements:

• Must be 21 years of age or older.

• Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in the state where the work site is located only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

D. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of practical nursing skills and techniques and their application to nursing care and treatment.

• Knowledge of the procedures and techniques of first aid and their application.

• Knowledge of and skill in modern sterilization, immunization, testing, and other medical and laboratory procedures which lie within the scope of practical nursing.

• Knowledge of the problems which are likely to arise in working with the mentally ill, the mentally retarded, drug dependent, and medical, and/or surgical patients.

• Knowledge of the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the particular facility concerned, relating to the care of patients after a period of training.

• Knowledge of the structure and normal healthy functioning of the human body.

• Knowledge of medications and their dangers and the use of medication fact sheets.

• Knowledge of the symptoms, behavior changes, or other indication of the positive and/or negative effects of medication on patients and of the methods for observing these indications.

• Knowledge of the physical, mental, and emotional needs of mentally deficient, and drug dependent patients and of the methods to provide for their needs.

• Ability to read, interpret, and apply the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, relating to the care of patients.

• Ability to organize assigned practical nursing work and develop appropriate work methods.

• Ability to assist, counsel, and instruct patients in areas relating to personal care and hygiene.

• Ability to work harmoniously with physicians, Registered Nurses of varied grades, nonprofessional resident care staff, patients, and others associated with the facility.

• Ability to function in a liaison capacity for the purpose of communicating patient related information between physicians or professional nursing staff and nonprofessional personnel.

• Ability to carry out preoperative and postoperative procedures.

• Ability to work with a variety of behaviors.

• Ability to tolerate verbal and mental abuse while maintaining a professional demeanor.

• Ability to perform appropriate crisis intervention including physically breaking up fights.

• Ability to complete pre-service and annual in-service CPR and self-defense and physical intervention training as needed.

• Ability to pass drug and TB screening and testing.

• Ability to work under pressure; meet inflexible deadlines; set priorities; deal diplomatically with difficult individuals; and supervise others; ability to manage multiple programs; lead management teams and work independently. Adherence to the highest ethical standards essential.

• Ability to keep accurate medical records.

• Ability to prepare accurate factual reports.

E. Equipment Utilized

• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

F. Physical Requirements & Work Environment:

• Talking: Ability to express and exchange ideas via spoken word during activities in which they must convey details or important spoken instructions to others accurately, sometimes quickly and loudly. Hearing and Vision: Ability to perceive the nature of sounds with no less than 40 dB loss at Hz, 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication. Work requires a minimum standard of visual acuity with or without correction that will enable employees to complete clerical tasks, and observe youth. Dexterity: Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, push, pull, lift, grasp, and be able to perceive the attributes of an object such as size, shape, and temperature. Movements frequently and regularly required using wrists, hands and/or fingers. Physical Strength: Ability to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally. Position is mainly sedentary work (office work), but may on occasion include physical force execution. Employee may be subject to temperature changes, but the employee is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions as the work is predominantly inside. Language: Ability to write complex sentences, using proper punctuation, and ability to communicate in complex sentences using normal word order with present and past tenses. Processing and Reasoning: Ability to exercise self-control in potentially volatile situations such as in verbal and physical confrontations. Must be able to work and concentrate amidst distractions and noise. Ability to assist youth with problem solving and maintaining self-control in volatile situations.

• The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this position the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions as they relate to travel. The noise level is usually moderate as the primary work environment is a standard office setting. Work environment may involve exposure to noise, dust, fumes, dangerous machinery, chemicals, body fluids, falling objects, and aggressive verbal and physical behavior from students and weather and temperature extremes.

• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the company undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.