REGISTERED NURSE SENIOR

7114F2

Pay Grade:  28 30 


DEFINITION OF WORK 

Summary  

This is supervisory or specialized professional nursing work. 

Work involves performance of supervisory or coordinating nursing duties of all nursing services for a designated work area, or the performance of investigations or utilization review. 

Standard Classification Factors  

Supervision Received – LEVEL C: "Under direction…" Employees at this level usually receive a general outline of the work to be performed and are generally free to develop their own sequences and methods within the scope of established policies. New, unusual, or complex work situations are almost always referred to a supervisor for advice. Work is periodically checked for progress and conformance to established policies and requirements. 

Difficulty – LEVEL B: Average… Where the employee is confronted with a variety of duties susceptible to different methods of solution which, in turn, places a correspondingly higher demand upon resourcefulness and concentration. Positions, which require the analysis and evaluation of raw data and the rendering of conclusions, would, in many instances, fall into this category. 

Complexity – LEVEL C: Work is of a standardized nature that may involve a variety of duties. Analytical thought becomes more important at this level due to increased data and changing situations. Tasks usually have several steps, some of which may not be directly related. Alternatives may exist for processes or methods to be used in solving problems. Workers at this level exercise a moderate amount of independent judgment. Work is controlled by routine review and reporting to or consultation with supervisors. When guidelines exist at this level, they tend to be more complicated or technical in nature requiring careful interpretation. 

Consequence of Actions or Decisions – LEVEL D: Consequences of actions or decisions at this level are significant as the work may be rarely if ever reviewed, making errors difficult to detect. Errors may cause major program failure or a high degree of confusion. Injuries to others due to errors are serious or incapacitating or both and costs due to errors are substantial. 

Contacts – LEVEL C: The purpose of the contact is to influence, motivate, conduct interviews, make formal presentations or counsel to achieve common understanding or solutions to problems when the information is sensitive in nature or the individuals or groups are skeptical or uncooperative. Communication techniques and well developed communication skills become an important requirement at this level. 

Physical Demands – LEVEL D: The work requires considerable physical exertion. 

Environmental Conditions – LEVEL C: The work environment involves hazards, risks or discomforts typical of working with or around machinery with exposed moving parts, irritant chemicals, heavy equipment or abusive or hostile clientele and individuals. Exposure to disagreeable weather conditions and extreme levels of temperature, ventilation, lighting and sound are normal. Protective clothing or gear and specific safety standards or procedures may be required. Serious injury is possible. 

Supervision/Leadership – LEVEL C: Typically involves limited supervisory responsibility which entails performing as a "first line supervisor" for a small number of employees. Supervision is not the primary responsibility of the job. Responsibility includes training, instructing, scheduling, and reviewing work and recommending hiring and disciplinary actions to a higher level of authority.   

Distinguishing Features

 Differs from the Registered Nurse which is full performance professional nursing work.

Differs from the Registered Nurse Specialist class which is second level supervisory or managerial in nature and allows for directing an in-service education and training program.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED

 Provides nursing care according to accepted nursing standards and agency policies and procedures.

Coordinates the nursing care of assigned individuals by planning and supervising the work of support staff; orders medical and other supplies as required; supervises regular or special treatments, including physical, chemical and other treatments prescribed.
Performs a nursing assessment by observing individuals, taking individuals medical/psychiatric history, and analyzing appropriate records and reports received. 

Develops a nursing care plan to incorporate the nursing approach to problem solving for the individual; reviews and revises nursing care plans in a timely and appropriate manner; monitors the progress of individuals and recommends changes in treatment plan, makes rounds with physician, instructs on self care techniques. 

Makes rounds on wards to review individual records; serves as a resource person or consultant to other nursing staff members in a given specialty, providing the latest diagnostic and treatment techniques; provides primary care to individuals within the specialty; teaches individuals and/or family members home care techniques. 

Teaches/instructs classes in a specialty area as a part of the training program for nurses, allied health practitioners, continuing education credit students, and other areas as appropriate. 

Directs the nursing program of a student health service, and other designated facilities. 

May serve as the only registered nurse on duty on the evening or night shift at a treatment facility, providing nursing treatment services in designated area and emergency medical services facility wide. 

Interacts with individuals in a therapeutic manner, providing guidance, direction and support to appropriate behavior, activities and life processes. 

Reviews individual care, evaluation forms and individuals charts to provide quality assurance. 

Conducts utilization reviews by examining and evaluating medical reports to ensure adequacy and appropriateness of nursing care services.

Answers practice questions for nurses and employers by analyzing the law and applying their particular fact scenarios. 

Collect and organize evidence using appropriate certifications of authenticity and following chain of command procedures. 

Conducts interviews of people and records substance of interview during investigation process. 

Reviews and analyzes evidence and statements in relation to the law to verify violations of the Practice Act. 

Prepares and presents case summaries to Board members and carries out the assigned disposition of the case. 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS 

Knowledge 

 *Knowledge of applicable Federal and State laws. 

*Knowledge of accreditation standards and regulations. 

*Knowledge of professional nursing theory and practice. 

*Knowledge of the internal working relationships of the facility staff. 

Abilities

*Ability to apply nursing techniques as directed to patient care situations.

*Ability to coordinate the services of a staff of professionals to provide appropriate nursing care to a group of patients.

*Ability to follow specific or general procedures and directions.

*Ability to prepare and maintain records, charts, and reports.

*Ability to maintain a helpful and sympathetic attitude toward patients under trying conditions and to maintain harmonious working relationships with subordinates and superiors.

*Ability to supervise and instruct a subordinate staff of professional, paraprofessional and non-professional personnel responsible for the care and treatment of the physically ill, mentally ill, emotionally disturbed, and/or developmentally disabled.

*Necessary at Entry

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Eligible to be licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the State of Kansas and one year of experience in registered nursing. 

Necessary Special Requirements:

Some positions require an approved drug test unless promoting, transferring, or demoting from another designated position within the same agency.

NC: 12/87
REV: 12/95
REV: 09/96
REV: 10/98
REV: 02/00
REV: 04/01
REV: 09/03
REV: 08/05
REV: 05/06
REV: 10/07
REV: 06/09