Professional Documents
Culture Documents
CHIEF NURSE
Organizes and administers the department of nursing.
Establishes objectives for the department of nursing and the organizational structure
for achieving these of objectives. Interprets and puts into effect administrative policies
established by the governing authority. Assists in preparing and administering budget for
the department. Selects and recommends appointment of nursing staff.
Understands both patient care and nurses; has demonstrated stature in the
nursing profession; has had some influence in the nursing field; has kept abreast
of changes in the profession.
Plans for the department; establishes goals and directions for the department
and helps the hospital establish its own goals; ensures that nursing has proper
influence on the total institutional goals and that nursing goals and directions
complement and support the total.
Has integrity and can be relied on to speak frankly and not waste time playing
games; is respected for his or her opinions.
Is a leader who can measure, evaluate, act, motivate, and deal with people; can
calculate trouble in advance and steady the organization; excludes unnecessary
interference in the internal operations of the department by being a strong and
effective manager
Is an interpreter for the nursing and hospital, both intramurally and extramurally;
speaks for quality and can motivate people in general; understands elements of
human behavior.
Thinks independently; is knowledgeable in the field and willing to draw upon that
knowledge to establish a position; can say no and then find a productive
alternative.
Is a member of the management team with a business mind and attitude; is able
to delegate responsibility so that the available resources are utilized; keeps
decision making close to the patient and thus responds to patient needs and not
professional resentment; demonstrates warmth and concern for the people as
individual and has an interest in total patient care; above all, has a sense of
humor and is able to supply a light touch when the going gets rough.
Provides for the participation of nursing staff members in the formulation of the
nursing care of patients.
Make provisions for all members of Nursing Service Department to know the
standards and their personal responsibilities in upholding them.
Develops nursing service policies, which focus on the care of the patients and
high quality nursing care.
Determines a staffing plan which will accomplish the stated objectives and
standards of nursing service and promote the maximum utilization of nursing
personnel.
Directs the personnel and the activities of the nursing department. Conducts
investigation of complaints or irregularities involving the nursing service staff and
submit findings and recommendations to the administrator.
Evaluates Nursing Care and the Climate in which it is practice to identify the
achievements and problems to provide data for forecasting and planning.
Plans with administration and other appropriate groups for the development of
new and effective use of existing facilities needed to attain service and
educational objectives.
HEAD NURSE
Job Duties
Head nurses direct and supervise nursing staff in provision of nursing care and
ensure the availability of support services which facilitate this care. The first-line
nurse administrator serves as a resource to staff , interpreting philosophy, goals,
standards, policies and procedures. The head nurse participates in varying
degrees in policy formation and decision making with other member of nursing
administration. These administrators are the vital link between the nursing
management and the staff that delivers care to the patient.
Head nurses are responsible for delivering care that is therapeutically effective
and safe as well as cost-effective. They accomplish this by effective utilization of
resources through the administrative process. Usually, a head nurse is
responsible for a nursing unit.
Activities that received the most votes by head nurses as most representative of
their responsibilities were identified in one survey.
Supervises and coordinates all patient care on the unit, including communication
with physician.
Meets regularly with nursing administration f0r feedback and problem solving.
STAFF NURSE
Job Duties
Performs nursing techniques for the co-fort and well being of the patient.
Prepares equipment and assist physician during treatments and examinations of
patients. Administers prescribed medications, orally, and by injections;
Prove des treatment using therapeutic equipment; observes patients reactions
to medications and treatments; observes progress of intravenous infusions ant
subcutaneous infiltrations; changes or assist physician in changing dressings
and cleaning wounds or incisions; takes temperature, pulse, respiration rate,
blood pressure, and heart beat to detect deviations from normal and gauge
progress of patient, following physicians orders and approved nursing care plan.
Observes, records, and reports to supervisor or physician patients condition and
reaction to drugs, treatments, and significant incidents.
Rotates on day, evening, and night tours of duty may asked rotate among the
various clinical and nursing services of institution. Each service will have
specialized duties, and staff nurse may be known by the section to which
assigned, such as Staff Nurse, Obstetrics or Staff Nurse, Pediatrics. May serve
as a team for a group of personnel rendering nursing care to a number of
patients.
Nursing Assistant
Wherever there is a need for personal care, certified Nursing Assistants (CNA),
or nurses aides, are there. Nursing assistants are the caregivers who, for the most
part, help patients of all ages perform the most basic day-to-day tasks. CNAs work
under the supervision of a nurse, and since they have extensive daily contact with each
patient, they play a key role in keeping the nurse up-to-date on vital information about
the patients' conditions.
Working Conditions
Due to the staffing shortage in recent years, a vast majority of nursing assistants
find themselves in the challenging position of attempting to provide quality care to far
too many patients at once. The turnover rate for nursing assistants is high, due largely
to the job's heavy workload and physical demands.
Academic Requirements
Training programs to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA) can be found
through the Red Cross, community colleges or medical facilities. Classes are generally
taught by a Registered Nurse, and the length of training depends on the program.
Through a facility, classes may run for two weeks, with a month or more of hands-on
training to follow. The classes offer the basics of what to expect with this job; however,
this is a career in which skill levels and confidence dramatically improve once the
nursing assistant becomes involved in the daily routine of actual caregiving. Search for
schools that provide training for this career.
Provides for activities of daily living by assisting with serving meals, feeding
patients as necessary; ambulating, turning, and positioning patients; providing fresh
water and nourishment between meals.
Maintains patient stability by checking vital signs and weight; testing urine;
recording intake and output information.
The primary purpose of this position is to supervise the daily nursing activities of
the facility during the shift. Such supervision must be in accordance with current federal,
state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern our facility, and as
may be required by the Director of Nursing Services to ensure that the highest degree
of quality care is maintained at all times.
Nursing Care Functions
Conduct the daily nursing functions in accordance with current rules, regulations,
and guidelines that govern the long term care facility.
Ensure that all nursing personnel assigned to you comply with the written policies
and procedures including the safety program.
Admit, transfer, and discharge residents with documentation regarding care and
service provided.
Complete daily clinical and environmental rounds to evaluate resident care being
provided and report significant events.
Meet and resolve issues with residents and/or family members. Report significant
issues to the supervisor.
May be responsible for clinical programs as directed, e.g. dementia, wound care,
quality assurance, infection control, admissions.
Communication/Documentation Functions
1. Complete an initial assessment and develop interim care plan.
2. Update, review, and transcribe the care plan that identifies the goals, problems,
approaches, and revisions based on nursing needs and new health care provider
orders.
3. Communicate with health care provider to review treatment plans, complete
orders, progress notes, etc., in accordance with established policies.
4. Review the residents medical record for specific treatments, medication orders,
diets, labs etc., as for implementation and follow up.
5. Requisition and arrange for diagnostic and therapeutic services, as ordered by
the health care provider, and in accordance with our established procedures.
6. Communicate the departments policies and procedures to personnel, residents,
and visitors.
7. Communicate with written (24 hour report) and oral reports/recommendations
concerning any changes in resident condition and other activities of your shift to
nursing management.
8. Fill out and complete accident/incidents involving residents or staff and submit to
Director of Nursing.
9. Complete and file assessments and all other medical record documentation as
required to provide care services.
10. Report all discrepancies noted concerning physicians orders, diet change,
charting error, etc., to the supervisor.
11. Complete clinically accurate documentation according to policy.
12. Review the resident medical documentation and progress notes from the
interdisciplinary team to determine if the care plan is being followed. Report any
concerns to your supervisor.
13. Inform nursing personnel of new admissions and the residents care needs.
Ensure that rooms are ready for new admissions.
health care facility. Must have experience in supervision and principles, practice of
teaching, etc. Must possess skills in leadership and communication. Must possess
creativity, integrity, and initiative. Must be able to provide critical thinking skills to
address clinical issues.
Licensing/Certifications
Must possess an active license to practice as an RN in this state.
References:
Monster (2013), Recruiting and Hiring Advice Certified Nursing Assistant Job
Description;
http://hiring.monster.com/hr/hr-best-practices/recruiting-hiring-
advice/job-descriptions/certified-nursing-assistant-job-description.aspx
Explore
Health
Careers
(20013),
Nurses
Aide/Nursing
Assistant;
http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/Career/120/Nurses_AideNursing_Assistant#Ta
b=Overview