This is direct patient care nursing work of limited scope in a district health center. An employee in this class assists registered nurses and medical personnel in providing direct patient care; Employees serve as lead worker in the absence of higher level nursing supervisor, providing direction to medical assistants and other lower level employees. Work is performed under supervision of a nursing supervisor and may involve some disagreeable conditions and moderate physical effort.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)BILINGUAL SPECIALTYBOTH SPECIALTIESPerforms the duties described below with English language speaking and designated non-English speaking populations.
Interviews patients, obtaining reasons for their visit and insurance information; reviews and records patient history; signs off on information entered in patient chart; returns patient chart to the record room at the end of the day; may engage in obtaining outside patient medical history.
Performs vital signs on patient; takes temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, etc, and records in patient chart; insures that patient medical history, laboratory tests results and prescribed treatments are accurately entered in chart; may perform pregnancy test; conducts and records the results of eye chart vision, audiometer and other basic diagnostic or screening test.
Assists in specimen collection and preparation; prepares specimen labels; instructs patient on collection of urine, feces and sputum specimens; performs finger sticks for blood specimens, veni-puncture for blood testing, EKG for heart rate and centrifuge; draws patient blood for a recommended blood work.
Administers medications and treatments as directed; administers injections and other treatments; participates in the facility’s instructional or rehabilitative diabetes and high blood pressure medication programs; instructs and monitors patient on appropriate medication or dosage; follows-up with treatment; may assist clinic physician in GYN exams; may assist in any ambulatory emergency situation; Administers vaccines under standing order; enters and retrieves data into a patient information data base.
Cleans instruments, equipment and furnishings; arranges dressings, instrument packs and treatment trays; operates autoclaves; cleans and restocks cabinets, closets and clinic supply room; sets up and arranges clinic trays and charts; notifies nursing superiors of medical emergencies or patient injuries; fills out patient medical emergency or incident report.
Performs related work as required.
Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth school grade.
BILINGUAL SPECIALTYANDSufficient training and/or experience to be able to understand and speak fluently and clearly in English and a designated non-English language
Completion of an approved one year program in practical nursing which has included or been supplemented by a medication course approved by the State Board of licensure for practical nurses.
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATESEligibility for licensure by examination as a Licensed Practical Nurse as issued by the State Board of Nurse Examiners of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at the time of application and possession of such license within time limits specified by the department.