Registered Nurse

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: The work involves responsibility for performing a variety of professional nursing tasks involved in patient care and community health protection.  The work is performed under general supervision with leeway allowed in the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the details of the work.  Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

• Provides skilled nursing care and prescribed treatments to patients;
• Visits patients in the home and assesses patient nursing care needs and develops nursing care plans;
• Identifies physical and emotional illness of patients through observation and analysis of records;
• Coordinates plans for patient care with nutritionists, social workers, psychologists, physical therapists, physicians and other professional health care workers;
• Instructs patient and family members in regard to patient’s diet, health habits and of the carrying out of treatment at home and rehabilitation measures;
• Sets up and staffs prevention and immunization health clinics, including taking patient history, conducting screening physicals involving taking blood pressure, pulse, respiration and weight, drawing blood and administering tests and vaccines for various diseases;
• Counsels and guides individuals and families in the prevention of illness and the attainment of maximum health;
• Prepares and maintains a variety of nursing care records and reports;
• Attends in-service training to keep abreast of latest nursing techniques and procedures;

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Good knowledge of modern public health nursing and clinical practices; good knowledge of auxiliary and support services available to provide for the total health care of patients; application of modern nursing techniques and medical equipment used in providing nursing care; ability to develop and implement a nursing care plan; ability tocommunicate effectively with other staff and patients and their families; ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with others; ability to participate in assigned projects and lay-out work for others; ability to organize and maintain accurate records and files; ability to understand and empathize with the needs and concerns of others; good powers of observation; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Licensure and current registration as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State.