HEAD NURSE
In New Jersey, Head Nurse is filled through the competitive process: candidates take a civil service exam and are hired off a ranked list, not picked at will.
Qualifying takes 1 year of relevant experience and a professional license.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Where this title is used
Head Nurse is a local service title. It is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, not by State departments. Those employers set pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule, which is why most local titles carry no salary range here.
Check whether an employer is a civil service jurisdiction · How local civil service works
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under direction, has charge of the nursing care of a unit, a division of a unit, or a clinical department and assumes appropriate responsibilities as assigned by a supervisor; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Interprets and enforces hospital policies and procedures.
- Plans nursing service in the unit within the limit of existing policies.
- Assigns duties to subordinate personnel based on patient care needs, available staff, and unit needs.
- Supervises all nursing activities related to patients and patient care in the unit.
- Develops effective work methods and work schedules.
- Is responsible for the execution of doctors' orders.
- Participates in developing effective methods of implementing doctors' orders and interprets to the personnel such orders.
- Gives direct nursing care to patients.
- Confers with and reports to the physicians the patients' needs, preferences, and progress.
- Is responsible for the accurate reporting and recording of patients' symptoms, reactions, and progress.
- Promotes and participates in rehabilitation programs for patients.
- Is responsible for the handling, requisitioning, dispensing, use of, and recording of narcotics, medications, and supplies in the unit.
- Evaluates the work performance and attributes of nursing personnel and prepares reports and recommendations for supervision.
- Instructs and orients new staff members and continuously interprets and instructs personnel for higher standards.
- Participates, through proper channels, in planning for budget organization, utilization of physical facilities, use of supplies and materials, and standards of patient care and objectives.
- Is responsible for the instruction and care for students and volunteer workers assigned to the unit.
- Maintains a dignified professional association with hospital personnel and the public.
- Participates actively in civic, educational, and professional organizations.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Experience
One (1) year of experience as a professional nurse in a hospital or other institution, clinic, or medical center.
License
Applicants must possess a license as a Registered Nurse valid in New Jersey.
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of principles, procedures, and methods of professional nursing and hospital organization.
- Knowledge of organizing assigned nursing and supervisory work and developing effective work methods.
- Knowledge of sterilization, immunization, and diagnoses.
- Knowledge of the preparation and maintenance of accurate medical and other records.
- Knowledge of the precaution to be taken in the use of narcotics and other medications and treatments.
- Ability to analyze, comprehend, and interpret professional nursing problems.
- Ability to organize assigned nursing and supervisory work.
- Ability to develop effective work methods.
- Ability to give suitable assignments and instructions.
- Ability to work harmoniously with associates.
- Ability to develop suitable work schedules for assigned employees.
- Ability to handle, dispense, direct the use of, and keep records of narcotics, medications, and other supples.
- Ability to apply the principles, procedures, and practices of nursing to specific cases.
- Ability to observe and report symptoms and conditions of patients.
- Ability to administer medications.
- Ability to prepare requisitions for medications, equipment, and supplies.
- Ability to direct the keeping of clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Ability to maintain essential records and files.
- Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.