Under the direction of a registered nurse or team leader, provides general nursing care to patients

Attends to the general health care and comfort of the patient; observes and records treatment and patient progress and reports to the supervisor patient’s condition or reaction

Administers prescribed medications

• Vital sign monitoring (B/P, Temperatures (all), Pulse, Resp.).
• Bed bath (complete and partial).
• Sitz bath.
• Bed making (unoccupied, occupied and surgery).
• Oral hygiene care (conscious and unconscious patients).
• Care of patients teeth.
• Care of patient’s hair, shaving, fingernail care, foot care.
• Back rubs.
• Keeps unit clean and neat.
• Answers lights promptly and with courtesy.
• Admits and discharges patient.
• Identifies patient properly.
• Assists with lifting correctly.
• Proper use of wheelchair and transfer of patient to w/c.
• Transfer of patient from bed to stretcher and transport.
• Range of motion exercises and turning patient and proper body alignment in bed.
• Measuring height.
• Weighing patient with bed scales and regular scales.
• Passing and picking up trays.
• Documentation of intake (oral, supplements, snacks & meals).
• Gives and removes bedpans and urinals.
• Measures outputs (urine, Levine’s, drainage tubes, stool).
• Admits patient with orientation to call light, T.V. control, telephone, bill of rights and completes clothing list.
• Gives enemas.
• Collects specimens (urine, stool and sputum).
• Post mortem care.
• Use of mechanical patient lift.
• Uses the lines of authority appropriately.
• Has knowledge and demonstrates appropriate care for patient’s growth and developmental needs.
• Transports patients to other areas.
• Performs pulse oximetry.
• Applies Cardiac monitor.
• Does ACCU Blood Glucose checks.
• Demonstrates appropriate care in regard to patient’s cultural beliefs, values and religion.
• Demonstrates knowledge of assessment and reassessment.
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize basic and life threatening cardiac arrhythmias and follow through with appropriate actions.
• Assist with patient/family education.
• Demonstrated proficiency in medication administration including IV piggyback, IV pushes, and calculations of dosages.
• Demonstrates proficiency in administration of blood and blood components.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse.
• Demonstrates the ability to apply restraints and follows restraint policy.
• Demonstrates the ability of sterile technique with dressing changes.
• Answers patient and family’s questions and issues promptly and with courtesy.  Demonstrates good communication skills with patient and families.
• Maintains an awareness of patient’s condition and nursing care needs.  Promotes care of the total patient with awareness of psychological, social, cultural, religious and family needs.
• Assists and gives nursing care to group of assigned patients.
• Serves as team leader when assigned.
• Maintains awareness for safety of patient.
• Demonstrates appropriate delegation of tasks and duties through assignment of duties to non-professional personnel according to patient’s needs.
• Demonstrates ability to communicate with physicians and other hospital department personnel.
• Orientates new employees to job requirements, hospital policies, unit personnel, physical unit, unit routines and equipment.
• Relates to each shift concerning appropriate care to all unit patients and uses report time to transfer knowledge of changes in patient status and summary of each patient’s needs.
• Initiates and supports cost containment.
• Checks inventory of supplies and equipment for own shift and restocks for other shifts.
• Observes patient’s condition and reports abnormal reactions and changes in patient condition to RN.
• Refers patient complaints to RN.
• Responds and performs appropriately and effectively in emergency situations.
• Demonstrates knowledge of how to use equipment pertaining to patient care.  How to maintain and clean equipment.
• Demonstrates effective communication methods and skills using the lines of authority appropriately.
• CPR certification and Heimlich maneuver.
• Develops and maintains an effective relationship with nursing and medical staff, and other hospital departments.
• Able to answer telephone courteously and professionally.
• Completes assignment in a timely manner.
• Dresses appropriately and meets hygiene standards.
• Demonstrates professional medical care to the sick and disabled without regard to race, sex, age, creed, religion or inability to pay.
• Has knowledge and demonstrates appropriate care for patient’s growth and developmental needs.
• Follows through on tests or procedures left from a previous shift and reports on any incomplete assignments to assure continuity of care.
• Has knowledge and demonstrates appropriate care of nutritional needs.
• Demonstrates appropriate care in regard to patient’s cultural beliefs, values and religion.
• Demonstrates knowledge of psycho social and developmental needs for ages caring for.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification:

Must have a copy of a diploma or official transcript of the highest level of education

Licensed Practical Nurse in the State of Arkansas

BLS certification required

ACLS, PALS certification encouraged

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must be able to communicate with physicians, all levels of hospital personnel, patients, visitors and families.

Pass pharmacology test given by NARMC with a score of 80% or above.

Post-orientation, demonstrate knowledge as to patient care, medications, ability to recognize emergency situations then take appropriate actions.

Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English