General Summary

Under direct supervision participates in the nursing process by delivering care to patients and their families. Duties and responsibilities include direct care activities required in daily nursing practice on the assigned unit.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

1. Assists Registered Nurse with the assessment of the patient by monitoring parameters outlined by the Registered Nurse in accordance with the Nursing Standards of Practice.
2. Identifies, records, and reports overt findings to the Registered Nurse concerning the physical and mental condition of a patient in accordance with the Nursing Documentation policy.
3. Assists the Registered Nurse assigned to the patient with the implementation of nursing care by performing nursing care activities as delegated and supervised by the Registered Nurse such as:
   • Assists with management of gastrostomy tubes by regulating feedings.
   • Assists with indwelling and intermittent urinary bladder catheterizations by performing catheter care and removal.
   • Provides direct patient care, such as personal hygiene care, positioning, ambulating, transporting, and nutritional intake/ feeding.
   • Performs routine patient care and administrative procedures on the unit such as dressing changes, calculating body intake and output measures and shift totals.
   • Assists with patient admission and/or discharge by setting up special equipment and recording vital signs.
   • Assists with intravenous therapy by gathering equipment for starting IV fluids, preparing the patient as directed by the Registered Nurse and monitoring IV rate.
4. Assists the Registered Nurse in patient status evaluation by reporting and/or documenting patient information such as vital signs, intake and output as appropriate on forms, and/or response to nursing actions such as pain management interventions. Reports significant changes in patient's physical and cognitive condition to the Nurse.
5. Performs CPR as needed.
6. Performs general support services for the unit and patient which may include running unit errands, procuring equipment, and taking and relaying messages accurately and timely

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Education and Experience

1. Graduate from an accredited school of nursing is required. Eligible to repeat the Maryland State Boards examination or awaiting the results of the repeat examination.
   • If graduate is completing the initial examination: testing must be completed within 45 days of the date that the graduate completed the school nursing program.
   • If graduate is repeating the examination: retesting must be completed within 45 days of eligibility to retest.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Knowledge and ability to understand procedures, practices and policies in the assigned department and for the medical center such as infection control guidelines. Follows/implements established institutional/unit policies and procedures to ensure patient safety.
2. Highly effective verbal communication and interpersonal skills are required to work with patients, visitors, and other health care team members, to establish working relationships that foster optimal quality of patient care.
3. Ability to communicates effectively with patients, families, visitors and other members of the health care team, demonstrating positive guest relations skills and treating patient information confidentially.
4. Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs.
5. Ability to work with patients involving regular exposure to infectious diseases requiring observance of universal precautions requiring wearing protective clothing, gloves, and mask as appropriate and observance of safe work practices.

Patient Safety

Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives.

1. Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.
2. Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
3. Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.

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