Job Specification
SENIOR PRACTICAL NURSE
DEFINITION:
Under direction of a Director of Nurses, Supervisor of Nurses, Charge
Nurse, or other supervisory officer in a hospital setting,
developmental center or other health care facility, performs such
duties as are required in the care of clients; carries out medical
orders prescribed by a licensed physician that require an
understanding of elementary nursing; evaluates and monitors the work
of other health-care and/or service-providing staff; does other
related duties as required.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative
purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform
all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties
performed on the job may not be listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Organizes assigned practical nursing work and develops effective
work methods.
Takes the lead and provides assignments and instructions to practical
nurses, human services technicians and other para- professional
nursing staff and monitors their work performance.
Performs and assists with routine practical nursing activities when
required.
Reports unusual occurrences or situations that require medical
attention to a physician or Registered Professional Nurse.
Oversees the administration of prescribed medications.
Dispenses medication as indicated, measures and administers liquid
medication by mouth provided that no calculations or fractional doses
are required; administers pills, capsules, and powders by mouth.
Provides or assists with treatments and medications including
dialysis, respiratory treatments, tracheotomy care, insertion of IV's,
sitz-baths and other specialized treatments.
Provides preoperative and postoperative care to clients.
Maintains hospital and medical supplies in good order and keeps
accurate records.
Administers all types of injections as may be ordered including
immunizations and TB testing and insulin.
Monitors to ensure that meals and nourishments are given as ordered.
Prepares required reports.
Collects urine, sputum, and other specimens from clients and labels
containers to forward for laboratory analysis.
Administers prescribed medications and observes clients to see that
they take their medication.
Applies external medications to clients such as salves, ointments,
and powders as specifically directed by a supervisor.
Gathers information for the preparation of inventory records such as
amounts of drugs, medical, and other supplies.
Positions clients according to prescribed practices and the nursing
care plan, and assists clients with simple exercises.
Notifies the physician or supervisor as to any new client condition
requiring medical attention.
Assists with temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, height
and weight readings when required.
Observes clients 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.
Accurately records individual dosages of medication administered.
Counsels clients concerning their medications by utilizing medication
fact sheets.
Accounts for narcotics, barbiturates, and other accountable drugs
before and after each shift.
Requisitions, maintains, and accounts for medical supplies, tools,
and equipment which must be kept ready for use.
Acts as liaison between para-professional resident care personnel
and medical and professional nursing staff regarding medication
changes and client symptoms or behavior changes.
Interprets visitation rules and regulations to other staff, residents,
members of client's families, and visitors.
Contributes as a member of the health care team in the determination
of treatment goals and participates and assists in involving the
client in goal planning sessions.
Teaches client education classes in areas of physical health care,
good grooming and hygiene, and personal appearance; may teach
orientation classes.
Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic
and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency,
office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
EXPERIENCE:
Two (2) years of experience as a licensed practical nurse.
LICENSE:
Applicants must possess a valid registration as a Licensed
Practical Nurse in New Jersey. Persons who possess the registration
by waiver must have satisfactorily completed an approved refresher
program.
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid
in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee
mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of practical nursing routines, procedures, standards, and
methods and their application to specific cases in a hospital setting,
center or other health care facility according to prescribed
procedures.
Knowledge of practical nursing skills and techniques and their
application to nursing care and treatment.
Knowledge of first aid methods and techniques.
Knowledge of immunization and TB testing methods, and other medical
and laboratory procedures within the scope of practical nursing.
Knowledge of the problems involved in providing care for the mentally
ill, developmentally disabled, drug dependent, and medical, surgical,
and/or geriatric clients.
Knowledge of anatomy and normal healthy functioning of the human body.
Knowledge of medications, their therapeutic benefits and side effects,
and the use of medication fact sheets.
Knowledge of the physical, mental, and emotional needs of mentally
ill, developmentally disabled, drug dependent, and geriatric clients
and of the methods of providing for their needs.
Knowledge of therapeutic interventions such as remotivation
techniques, activity of daily living programs, and reality
orientation.
Ability to provide assignments and instructions to staff and monitor
their work performance.
Ability to read and interpret laws, rules, and regulations and apply
them to specific situations.
Ability to analyze practical nursing problems and apply the approved
nursing routines, procedures, and methods to specific cases in
accordance with prescribed policy.
Ability to organize assigned practical nursing work and develop
appropriate work methods.
Ability to identify those situations requiring the attention of a
physician and/or a Registered Professional Nurse and to notify the
proper officer.
Ability to monitor the performance of practical nursing duties
including the feeding, bathing, and caring for the general comfort of
clients.
Ability to dispense and administer both oral and injectable
medications, and administer treatments such as tube feedings,
tracheotomy care, respiratory treatments and dialysis.
Ability to assist professional staff in the handling, administration,
and recording of drugs, hospital supplies, and narcotics.
Ability to assist in maintaining client discipline with knowledge of
least restraint policy.
Ability to prepare reports.
Ability to maintain and monitor the maintenance of records and files.
Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording
and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in
English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign
Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms
of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long
as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without
reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be
made because it would cause the employer undue hardship,
such persons may not be eligible.
This job specification is applicable to the following title code: | | Job
Spec
Code | Variant | State,
Local or
Common | Class of
Service | Work
Week | State
Class
Code | Local
Class
Code | Salary
Range | Note | | 16000 | | S | C | 40 | 16 | N/A | H17 | - |
This job specification is for state government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.
MER 05/12/2010 |
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