SENIOR PRACTICAL NURSE (Local)

Code: 03524 Local Competitive

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 of a Director of Nurses, Supervisor of Nurses, Head Nurse, or other supervisory officer in a hospital, sanitorium, or other health care facility, performs such duties as are required in the care of patients, involving the carrying out of medical orders prescribed by a licensed physician and requiring an understanding of elementary nursing including the supervision of nonprofessional employees and/or of a unit of the hospital service; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Organizes assigned supervisory and practical nursing work and develops effective work methods.
• Gives assignments and instructions to practical nurses, institutional attendants, and others and supervises the performance of their work.
• When so assigned, assumes responsibility for routine activities of a ward, floor, or other areas.
• Reports unusual occurrences or situations which require attention of a physician or professional nurse to the proper officer.
• Supervises the giving of prescribed medications.
• Dispenses medication as indicated including measuring and giving of liquid medication by mouth provided that no calculations or fractional doses are required; gives pills, capsules, and powders by mouth.
• As may be directed, gives and/or helps give treatments and medications including diathermy treatments, sitz-baths, and other special treatments.
• Gives preoperative and postoperative care to patients.
• Sees that hospital and medical supplies are in good order and that accurate records are kept.
• Gives liver extract injections and other injections as may be ordered.
• Sees that meals and nourishments are given as ordered.
• Gives help to the wards, treatment rooms, operating rooms, recreation areas, and other hospital areas.
• Sees that wards and rooms are kept in good order and in a clean and sanitary condition.
• Prepares reports.
• Maintains and supervises maintenance of records and files.
• Performs nursing procedures such as bathing/dressing/feeding patients, making beds, and helping patients into and out of bed.
• Collects urine, sputum, and other specimens from patients by having patient place the specimens into containers; labels containers for forwarding to laboratory for analysis.
• Administers prescribed medications orally and observes patients to see that they take their medication.
• Applies external medications to patients such as salves, ointments, and powders as specifically directed by a superior.
• Gathers information for the preparation of inventory records such as amounts of drugs, linens, medical, and other supplies.
• Positions patients according to prescribed practices and the nursing care plan and assists patients with simple exercises.
• Notifies the physician or supervisor as to any conditions of the patient requiring medical attention, other than those already under treatment such as vision or hearing problems or the need for dental care.
• Takes patient temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, height, and weight, and records results on patient chart.
• Observes patients closely for reaction to drugs, treatment, any other unusual conditions such as physical and/or emotional problems, and reports adverse reactions or problems to immediate supervisor.
• Requisitions and accurately records individual dosages of medication administered.
• Counsels patients concerning their medications by utilizing medication fact sheets.
• Accounts for narcotics, barbiturates, and other accountable drugs before each shift.
• Prepares and gives medication including insulin by subcutaneous hypodermic and intramuscular injections.
• Prepares supplies for sterilization.
• Requisitions, maintains, and accounts for medical supplies, tools, and equipment which must be kept ready for use within the treatment room of a resident living unit.
• Acts as liaison between nonprofessional resident care personnel and medical and professional nursing staff regarding medication changes and patient symptoms or behavior changes.
• Interprets hospital rules and regulations to other staff, residents, members of patients; families, and visitors.
• Maintains medical records.
• Prepares factual reports.
• Contributes as a member of the health care team in the determination of treatment goals and participates and involves patient in goal planning sessions.
• Teaches patient education classes in areas of physical health care, good grooming and hygiene, and personal appearance.
• May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Experience

One (1) year of experience as a practical nurse.

License

Applicants must possess a valid registration as a Licensed Practical Nurse in New Jersey. Persons who possess the registration by waiver must have satisfactorily completed an approved refresher program.

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 essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of practical nursing routines, procedures, standards, and methods and their application to specific cases in a hospital, sanitorium, or other institution according to prescribed procedures, or of organizing assigned supervisory and practical nursing work and developing effective work methods.
• Knowledge of giving assignments and instructions to individuals and groups and supervising the performance of their work.
• Knowledge of practical nursing skills and techniques and their application to nursing care and treatment.
• Knowledge of procedures and techniques of first aid and their application.
• Knowledge of and skill in sterilization, immunization, testing, and other medical and laboratory procedures which lie within the scope of practical nursing.
• Knowledge of problems which are likely to arise in working with the mentally ill, mentally retarded, drug dependent, and medical, surgical, and/or geriatric patients.
• Knowledge of rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the particular facility concerned relating to the care of patients after a period of training.
• Knowledge of the structure and normal healthy functioning of the human body.
• Knowledge of medications and their dangers and the use of medication fact sheets.
• Knowledge of symptoms, behavior changes, or other indications of the positive and/or negative effects of medication on patients and of methods for observing these indications.
• Knowledge of the physical, mental, and emotional needs of mentally deficient, drug dependent, and geriatric residents/clients and of the methods of providing for their needs.
• Knowledge of therapeutic interventions such as remotivation techniques, activity of daily living programs, and reality orientation.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the particular institution concerned relating to the care of patients.
• Ability to analyze practical nursing problems and apply the approved nursing routines, procedures, and methods to specific cases in accord with prescribed procedures.
• Ability to organize assigned supervisory and practical nursing work and develop appropriate work methods.
• Ability to give assignments and instructions to individuals and groups, provide them with advice and assistance when difficult and unusual problems arise, and check their work to see that proper procedures are followed, that reasonable standards of workmanship and output are maintained, and that desired objectives are achieved.
• Ability to comprehend and analyze the particular problems likely to be encountered in work in an institution.
• Ability to recognize those situations which required attention of a physician and/or professional nurse and notify the proper officer.
• Ability to perform and supervise performance of practical nursing duties including the feeding, bathing, and caring for the general comfort of patients.
• Ability to comprehend medical, nursing, and hospital standards, routines, and procedures.
• Ability to dispense and give medications.
• Ability to give enemata, irrigations, and minor treatments including sitz-baths, diathermy, and injections of varied types.
• Ability to assist professional staff in handling, administration, and recording of drugs, hospital supplies, and narcotics.
• Ability to see that patients are taken from the wards and rooms to the operating rooms, recreation room, and other areas.
• Ability to see that wards, rooms, and other areas are kept in good order and in a clean and sanitary condition.
• Ability to assist in maintaining discipline.
• Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports.
• Ability to maintain and supervise maintenance of records and files.
• Ability 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, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform 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 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.