General Duty Nurse

HOURLY RANGE: $39.064 - $52.752

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: The work involves the coordination of nursing care, patient education, and discharge planning. The incumbent, using accepted standards of nursing practice, assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates all phases of nursing care for assigned patients from admission through discharge. The work is performed under the general direction of higher-level professional nursing employees. Supervision is exercised over lower-level nursing personnel. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

• Performs physical, psychological, and social assessment of patients;
• Develops a written nursing care plan based on patient assessment and diagnosis;
• Works directly under physicians, assisting during exams, diagnostic testing, and treatments;
• Implements medical and nursing orders;
• Establishes care priorities based on patient problems;
• Communicates pertinent patient information to the physician and other members of the health care team;
• Evaluates the effectiveness of care delivered;
• Updates care plan as indicated;
• Records vital signs and documents care given;
• Develops and implements a discharge plan for patients;
• Provides patients and their families with health teaching;
• Administers medication, including intravenous therapy; reports adverse reactions to medications or treatments;
• Participates in and supports research programs;
• Participates in nursing committees;
• Performs tasks normally delegated to lower-ranking nursing department employees, as directed.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Thorough knowledge of professional nursing principles, techniques, and the nursing process; good knowledge of the organization, functions, policies, regulations, and procedures of the hospital, clinics, or skilled nursing facility as they relate to nursing; good knowledge of medication administration/pharmacology; skill in the use of equipment, instruments, and materials used in patient care; good knowledge of electronic medical record system; good interpersonal skills; sound judgment; understanding; patience; tact; resourceful; initiative and dependability; capable of performing the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from an accredited school of professional nursing and either:

• Possession of a license and current registration to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State as issued by the New York State Education Department at the time of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment; or:

• Eligibility for Limited Permit to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State as issued by the New York State Education Department at the time of appointment and licensed as Registered Professional Nurse in New York State as issued by the New York State Education Department within one year and maintenance of license throughout duration of appointment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification from an approved ECMCC provider at time of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment.

NOTE: Graduates of Schools of Nursing registered by the New York State Education Department may be employed to practice nursing under supervision of a professional nurse currently registered in this state and with the endorsement of the employing agency for ninety (90) days immediately following graduation from a program in nursing and pending receipt of a limited permit for which an application has been filed.