This is general duty nursing work in the care, treatment and teaching of patients and groups of patients. An employee in this class provides direct patient care and required medical services in accordance with Standing Medical Orders. Work includes motivating and counseling patients in proper health care practices and serving as patient advocate. Employees may work in specialized assignments, such as coordinating the delivery of managed health care services and reviewing and evaluating the quality and level of services; or specialized nursing work in the care and treatment of patients with a specific disease or condition. Work is performed under the supervision of a nursing superior. Work may require some physical effort.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)Provides direct patient care; takes patient history and vital signs, including temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiration, weight and height; may perform EKG, venipuncture, vision, hearing and fingersticks; assesses and records patient needs and problems; triages patients entering health centers; manages medical care of patients; serves as advocate for patients; explains medical service availability and requirements; refers patients for appropriate treatment.
Carries out assigned care and treatment functions as defined by standing medical orders or program protocols; assists physicians as required in treatments and examinations; explains physician instructions to patients; develops, implements and evaluates a nursing plan; collaborates with physicians and other team members to develop patient management plans and service goals, and to provide coordinated service.
Instructs and counsels patients and families, and reinforces the physician's regimen of care; instructs groups of patients on such subjects as prenatal care and control of diabetes; schedules patients for follow-up instruction.
Administers medications and immunizations; dispenses over-the-counter medications in team and triage areas, and performs treatments, screening and diagnostic procedures according to physician orders or appropriate standing orders; obtains specimens for laboratory analysis or instructs patients in proper methods to obtain specimens.
Conducts nursing services as primary provider according to standing orders for such services as administration of immunizations and well-child examinations; screens patients without appointments based on program policies and protocols and refers to appropriate staff; implements protocols for patients who fail to keep appointments; documents nursing services and nursing care plans, and completes required forms.
Specialized Nursing Assignments - Performs the above services for patients with a specific disease, condition or need or in various program areas, such as infectious disease, tuberculosis, immunization, acute communicable disease, emergency preparedness and bioterrorism; may plan, review and coordinate the provision of medical, nursing, therapy, and related care and rehabilitative services for patients in a residential home facility; may report to an administrative supervisor and receive technical direction from a nursing or medical superior; conducts physical examinations, determines medical and personal histories of patients, and provides treatment and management determined by the condition and needs of the patient; plans, develops and conducts educational programs for departmental nurses, health care professionals and community groups in the area of specialized treatment; responds to inquiries from hospitals, physicians, nurses and the general public regarding specialized services.
Managed Care Assignment - Coordinates the provision of health care services associated with a variety of managed health care plans; functions as liaison between the City, health care providers and health maintenance organizations; ensures that appropriate documentation, diagnostic test results and other patient information are forwarded to health care providers as required; responds to requests for information from hospitals, health facility staff, and patients; evaluates the provision of patient services in accordance with program policy; monitors and reviews provision of patient services; evaluates and ensures the application of health care principles and practices and applicable professional standards; makes recommendations to improve standards of care and the quantity and quality of patient services; coordinates the provision of medical services for municipal employees who have received service-connected injuries.
Performs related work as required.
Graduation from an accredited School of Nursing.
Completion of a comprehensive training program for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases mandated by the Center for Disease Control if required by assignment
Diabetes Nursing Assignment Only - Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in nursing, nursing education or a closely related area
BILINGUAL SPECIALTYSufficient training and/or experience to be able to understand and speak fluently and clearly in English and a designated non-English language
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTSAbility 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 a license as a Registered Nurse issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nurse Examiners at the time of application and possession of such licensure at the time of appointment.