Careers

1. The Assistant provides personal care assistance to residents as directed:  (bathing, grooming, feeding, and toileting)
Application of Knowledge Performance Criteria:

• Demonstrates ability of administering complete/partial resident baths.  This would include bath, oral care, dentures, Foley care, hair/nail care, shaving, bed making and cleaning of utensils used.
• Assists in the toileting needs of the residents, records outputs accurately.  Empties drainage collection devices and completes documentation of BM Book, toileting scheduling, Rehab and nourishments.
• Follows Facility protocol for admission documentation.  Demonstrates skill in the nursing process.  HIPAA Competency – Protects resident’s privacy by insuring resident charts or items with resident data with protected health information (PHI) are not left unattended or left opened.
• Demonstrates ability to read, understand and follow individual resident care plans.

Collaboration Performance Criteria

• Maintains harmonious relationship with unit and co-workers, providing support and assistance to co-workers to ensure quality resident care.

2.     Prepares resident for meals; serves and collects trays, assists in setting up and feeding residents; serves fresh water and nourishments when indicated.
Application of Knowledge Performance Criteria

• Completes meal assessment sheet and records oral intakes accurately
• Utilizes proper lifting and body mechanics to prevent personal injury

Collaboration Performance Criteria

• Demonstrates attitude of cooperation and professionalism when working in Department

Planning/Timeless Performance Criteria

• Organizes work to complete assignments within the required time frame.

3.     The Certified Nursing Assistant helps residents with transferring and lifting, raising residents in beds and turning residents.  May apply restraints as directed.
 
Application of Knowledge Performance Criteria

• Maintains confidentiality of all resident, Facility and/or physician related information
• Maintains resident confidentiality and does not discuss resident in public areas, such as cafeteria, hallways, elevators, etc.
• Demonstrates ability to lift, transfer and transport residents in wheelchair, bed or care, etc.  Utilizes appropriate transfer devise.
• Demonstrates ability to apply restraints as directed by nurse following the Facility policy and procedure guidelines.

Communications Performance Criteria

• Reports problem areas to the Supervisor

Collaboration Performance Criteria

• Identifies when help is required in providing resident care and seeks it appropriately recognizing own limitations.

4.     Obtains temperature on residents whose medical conditions warrants such monitoring.  Obtains urine samples, weights, intake/output

Application of Knowledge Performance Criteria

• Demonstrates ability to obtain and record resident’s temperature, pulse, respiration, weight, intake/output as directed by nurse.  Demonstrates the ability to assist with specimen
• collection (urinalysis, etc.)
• Conducts job duties in accordance with departmental standards
• Recognizes and reports changes in resident conditions to a nurse, demonstrates knowledge of complications and asks appropriate questions to clarify the situation

Communications Performance Criteria

• Verbal ability to express ideas and views effectively.  Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

Record Keeping Performance Criteria

• Reports accurate results to achieve the best possible resident care

5.     Regularly checks on residents insuring comfort, dignity an privacy           

Application of Knowledge Performance Criteria

• Answers call lights promptly; responds promptly to resident inquiries, reports any abnormal findings or complaints to primary nurse
• Acts as an advocate of the Patient Bill of Rights and assures resident and family understanding.  Demonstrates mission of the Facility by providing quality care in a personal manner with total regard for individual human dignity

Communications Performance Criteria

• Communicates clearly and tactfully with residents and their families

Collaboration Performance Criteria

• The Certified Nursing Assistant cooperates with other personnel to achieve department objectives and maintains good employee relations, interdepartmental objectives, and infection control policies.

Resident Relations Performance Criteria

• Maintains confidentiality of all resident/staff nursing home information

6.     Performs related Nurse Assistant duties as assigned for efficient unit operation.

Application of Knowledge Performance Criteria

• Prepares resident room for admission.  Responsibilities include resident orientation to room, providing admission pack supplies, assisting resident with dressing as indicated.
• Demonstrates the ability to assist the nurse with various duties as directed.  Example of this includes removing and replacing TEDS, reapplication of oxygen, application of specialty mattresses, turning and positioning immobile residents every two hours.
• Upon discharge assists resident with dressing and packing.  Cleans room of supplies/linen prior to terminal cleaning by housekeeping. Demonstrates ability to assist with post-mortem care.

Communications Performance Criteria

• Listens well and effectively communicates in writing and orally
• Resident Relations Performance Criteria
• Maintains and improves resident optimal level of functioning and nursing rehabilitation.  Recognizes changes in resident’s condition and asks appropriate questions to clarify the situation.
• Reports changes to Unit Manager.
• Attends all in-services and meetings as required

Application of Knowledge Performance Criteria

• Projects poise, authority, and a positive image.  Wears appropriate clothing and accessories, giving proper attention to personal hygiene.  Wears Facility ID badge while on duty.
• Infection Control Competency:  Demonstrates knowledge of and adheres to all infection control procedures including proper hand washing techniques, contact with blood spills and standard precautions
• Attends all mandatory in-services.  Attends department meetings as required and scheduled
• Completes NYS regulation for 6 hours in 6 months

Collaboration Performance Criteria

• Competency:  Participates in drills and demonstrates knowledge of Plan for Department

 The following duties may be reassigned:
8.     Cleans each unit as assigned by the Director, including IV poles, ice bucked/ladle, wheelchair/carts
 
Application of knowledge Performance Criteria

• Conducts job duties in accordance with departmental standards
• Assists in the containment of the Facility’s costs through conserving so supplies and equipment

Planning/Timeliness Performance Criteria

• Organizes work to complete job tasks in a timely manner.  Responds promptly to change in workload, adjusting assignments to achieve optimal productivity and efficiency
• Straightens and cleans utility room/pantry as assigned per unit/shift.  Delivers supplies to resident rooms.  Completes weekly cleaning assignments as directed.  Maintains resident rooms in a neat orderly and clutter free environment.
• Ensures that closets, drawers, clothing and personal items are labeled

9.     Performs other related duties as assigned or requested

One of the most highly respected careers in health care is the Licensed Practical Nurse. This profession appeals to individuals who like a fast-paced job with a variety of responsibilities. Being a positive presence in the lives of sick and injured patients is a rewarding experience.

There is a wide range of services provided by an LPN. There are many choices for employment including hospitals, nursing homes, medical offices, and home health care. Sometimes families will hire an LPN to be a private nurse for a family member. Many health insurance companies are hiring LPNs to answer patients’ questions concerning health needs. The exact nature of the duties depends on the environment of the specific job although there are commonalities in all positions.

Common Duties

Many tasks are performed regardless of the job environment. The LPN will usually be the first medical professional to work with a patient. Recording the patient’s history is one of the first duties. Other jobs the LPN performs include:

• Giving medication as prescribed by a physician
• Taking vital signs, such as blood pressure, temperature, and weight
• Basic wound care including cleaning and bandaging injured areas
• Giving injections of medication
• Immunizations
• Taking medical histories
• Entering information into computer systems

Job-Specific Duties

In addition to the standard duties of the LPN there are some that are specific to certain job settings. When dealing with ill or injured patients in a hospital, the duties often are:

• Managing IVs
• Ensuring patients and their families understand release instructions
• Supervising CNAs (Certified Nursing Assistants)
• Monitoring fluid and food intake and output
• Moving patients safely

LPNs often work with patients in nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. They are also common in the home health care field. All of these jobs may require the nurse to perform additional tasks including:

• Assessing patients’ reactions to medications
• Assessing patients’ mental health
• Providing emotional support
• Assisting with daily needs such as bathing and dressing
• Observation of patients’ skin for potential bed sores
• Medical offices and clinics employ many LPNs.

In addition to nursing duties, there are often paperwork responsibilities such as:

• Scheduling appointments
• Keeping medical records current
• Billing patients
• Working with insurance companies
• Writing prescriptions at a physician’s request

The LPN is often the first face a patient sees. He or she can advocate for the patient when working with the RN or doctor in charge. Ability to handle a diverse range of situations and responsibilities is the primary duty of an LPN. Whether working in a traditional hospital or medical setting or on the front lines in home health care, the LPN is a vital member of the health care team. Apply today!

Under direction, perform varied professional nursing duties with primary emphasis on professional nursing care for hospital or clinic patients; treat and educate patients, their families and the public about various medical conditions; record medical histories and symptoms; perform diagnostic tests and analyze results; operate medical machinery; administer treatment and medications; assist with patient follow-up and rehabilitation; and perform other duties as assigned and required by assigned clinical setting.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Nurse Trainee is the trainee level class of this series. Under immediate supervision incumbents gain clinical nursing experience directed towards learning and performing the duties of the journey level classification.   Incumbents must possess a valid State of California interim registered nursing permit and are subject to state regulations regarding such permits. This class is flexibly staffed with journey level Nurse classification and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience, demonstrating necessary proficiency and gaining the required licensure.

The journey level Nurse is fully competent to independently perform a full range of professional nursing duties and procedures that require the exercise of a high degree of clinical judgment.  Incumbents also provide lead direction to other nursing and paraprofessional personnel.
The Nurse positions are further distinguished by its assigned clinical setting, as described below:

• Ambulatory Care Nurses are assigned to community and specialty clinics, providing preventive care and treat patients with a variety of illnesses and injuries.
• Correctional Health Nurses perform professional nursing duties within a locked correctional facility.
• Critical Care Nurses work in the emergency room, and critical or intensive care hospital units providing care to patients with serious, complex, and acute illnesses or injuries that require very close monitoring and extensive medication protocols and therapies.
• Infusion Nurses specializes in the administration of medications, fluids, and blood to patients through injections into patients’ veins.
• Long Term Care Nurses provide care on a recurring basis to patients with chronic medical, physical or mental disorders confined in a long-term care or skilled nursing facility.
• Medical-Surgical Nurses provide care to patients after illness, injury or surgery or with acute health conditions.  They also attend to those who are being treated with pharmaceuticals (medications) to manage illness.
• Perioperative Nurses assist with patient care in the operating room, having responsibilities through the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative phases of surgery.
• Psychiatric Nurses provide care to psychiatric/mental health patients.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Complete patient assessments and triage, record patient histories, symptoms and observations.
• Establish and implement nursing care plans for each patient through assessment, development, activation and evaluation.
• Participate in patient case conferences and rounds.
• Organize, assign and supervise duties and responsibilities of other staff members as a team leader; orient and teach new staff members of the nursing team and students.
• Perform nursing care following prescribed rules, policies, protocol and procedures.
• Identify problems, assist in data gathering, propose solutions and participate in evaluation of quality assurance issues.
• Work with patient and their families to provide in-hospital and after-hospital follow-up through teaching and referral.
• Participate in educational programs to maintain level of expertise.
• Participate in non-clinical assignments, which may include maintaining records, preparing reports and/or serving on special committees.
• Maintain records and prepare reports.
• Operate a variety of medical machinery and equipment.
• Administer treatment and medications.
• Maintain knowledge of outpatient resources.
• Develop discharge plans for patients.
• Perform related duties as assigned and as required by assigned work setting, as described below.

Ambulatory Care Nurse
Duties for nurses in this series may also include the following, depending on nature of clinic assignment:

• Provide preventive care and/or treatment to patients in a community or specialty clinic with a variety of conditions, illnesses and/or injuries.
• Check vital signs, give injections, provide wound care and perform catherizations and Point of Care Testing.
• Work with patient and their families to explain post-treatment care needs and provide clinic follow-up through teaching and referral to resources.
• Prepare educational materials and maintain knowledge of outpatient resources.
• Run immunization clinics, blood drives, and public seminars, as required.
• Manage, monitor and adjust doses based on protocols and phyisician instructions.
• Perform phlebotomy.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Correctional Health Nurse
Duties for nurses in this series may also include the following:

• Perform professional nursing duties within a locked correctional facility.
• Check vital signs, give injections, and perform catherizations, IZ Registry and Point of Care Testing.
• Start, maintain and discontinue intravenous lines.
• Monitor patient rehabilitation.
• Perform mental status exams and implement plan of care based on assessment findings.
• Monitor patients in restraint and seclusion and maintain patient safety.
• Determine medical or psychiatric emergency need and provide intervention.
  Recognize symptoms of major psychiatric diagnosis.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Critical Care Nurse 
Duties for nurses in this series may also include the following:

• Record, assess and observe patient progress, reactions and symptoms.
• Monitor patient rehabilitation.
• Monitor life support equipment.
• Attend to wound dressings.
• Monitor patients in restraint and seclusion and maintain patient safety.
• Determine medical or psychiatric emergency need and provide intervention.
• Recognize symptoms of major psychiatric diagnosis.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Infusion Nurse
Duties for nurses in this series may also include the following:

• Administer medications, fluids, and blood to patients through injections into patients’ veins.
• Administer medications such as antibiotics, cardiac and chemotherapy.
• Check vital signs, give injections, provide wound care and perform catherizations and Point of Care Testing.
• Monitor patient rehabilitation and manage schedules for treatment regimens.
• Maintain vascular access device.
• Coordinate schedules for treatment regimens and patient appointments.
• Coordinate services with laboratory, pharmacy, radiology, medical clinic, medical-surgical unit and emergency department.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Long Term Care Nurse
Duties for nurses in this series may also include the following:

• Provide continuing care to patients with chronic physical or mental disorders confined in a long-term care nursing facility.
• Assess needs of patients and develop plan of care based on assessment.
• Check vital signs, give injections and perform catherization and Point of Care Testing.
• Wound care.
• Manage pain.
• Room patients.
• Manage inventory.
• Operate a variety of medical machinery and equipment.
• Intensive care and evaluation of patients on an almost continuous basis.
• Monitor patients in restraint and seclusion and maintain patient safety.
• Determine medical or psychiatric emergency need and provide intervention.
• Recognize symptoms of major psychiatric diagnosis.
• Educate patients in preparation for discharge to lower level of care.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Medical-Surgical Nurse
Duties for nurses in this series may also include the following:

• Provide care to patients after illness, injury or surgery or with acute health conditions or patients who are being treated with pharmaceuticals.
• Record, assess and observe patient progress, reactions and symptoms.
• Assesses needs of patient and develop plan of care based on assessment.
• Check vital signs, give injections and perform catherizations and Point of Care Testing.
• Coordinate referrals and interagency communication.
• Manage pain.
• Monitor patients in restraint and seclusion and maintain patient safety.
• Determine medical or psychiatric emergency need and provide intervention.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Perioperative Nurse
Duties for nurses in this series may also include the following:

• Perform pre-, intra- and post-operative nursing duties.
• Assist surgeons in selecting and handling of instruments, controlling bleeding, and suturing incisions.
• Perform scrubbing and circulating duties.
• Collect, interpret, record and communicate pertinent data relevant to the patient’s care in surgery.
• Determine medical or psychiatric emergency need and provide intervention.
• Assist in the positioning of patients for surgery.
• Transfer patients to and from bed, gurney and/or operating table.
• Organize and coordinate schedules based on changes to patient status, the environment and procedures being administered.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Psychiatric Nurse
Duties for nurses in this series may also include the following:

• Provide care to psychiatric/mental health patients, including suicidal, potentially violent, confused and dementia patients.
• Complete patient assessments and triage, recording patient histories, symptoms and observations.
• Room patients, check vital signs, and give injections and Point of Care Testing.
• Provide intensive care and evaluation on an almost continuous basis.
• Perform mental status exam and implement plan of care based on assessment findings.
• Monitor patients in restraint and seclusion and maintain patient safety.
• Determine medical or psychiatric emergency need and provide intervention.
• Recognize symptoms of major psychiatric diagnosis.
• Work with patient and their families to explain post-treatment care needs and provide follow-up referrals to resources.
• Respond to patients in crisis situation, with unpredictable violence and de-escalate situation using the least restrictive measures.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Note: The level and scope of the knowledge and skills listed below are related to job duties as defined under Distinguishing Characteristics.

Knowledge of:

• Nurse Practice Act.
• Current nursing and related medical theory and skills necessary to administer nursing care within assigned clinical setting.
• Safety and infection control practices.
• Clinical systems, supplies and equipment.

Skill/Ability to:

• Nurse Practice Act.
• Perform nursing procedures required for assigned clinical setting.
• Comply with clinical procedures and policies.
• Maintain professional nurse-patient relationships.
• Communicate with and educate patients, families, and the public who come from a diverse background.
• Work harmoniously with other personnel.
• Follow safety practices.
• Assist in the instruction of other nursing and paraprofessional personnel.
• Bend, kneel and squat as needed.
• Occasionally use upper extremities to exert force to push and pull patients/objects weighing up to 50 pounds or more.
• Work in a busy environment.

Licensure/Certification

Nurse Trainee: Possession of a California interim registered nursing permit.
Journey Level Nurse: Possession of a California license as a Registered Nurse or equivalent and a valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Ambulatory Care Nurse

• Some positions may require possession of an Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and/or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.

Critical Care Nurse

• Possession of an Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
• Positions assigned to Emergency Room require a Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.
• Positions assigned to Emergency Room require a Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) certification within three months of hire.

Infusion Nurse

• Possession of Oncology Nursing certification.
• Completion of competency requirements as chemotherapy nurse within a specified period of time.

Perioperative Nurse

• Possession of an Avanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and/or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.

Psychiatric Nurse

• Must be Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) certificate within three months of hire.