REGISTERED NURSE SPECIALIST7115F2 Pay Grade: 28 31 DEFINITION OF WORK Summary This is managerial or supervisory nursing work. Work involves responsibility for coordinating special programs or facility wide nursing services on a shift; serving as an Assistant Director of Nursing within a major treatment facility or Director of Nursing within a moderate sized treatment facility. Standard Classification Factors Supervision Received - Level D: "Under general direction. . ." Employees at this level are usually in charge of a large and important organizational unit. They plan and carry out assignments with little supervision. They report regularly to a superior, usually by means of occasional conferences, to discuss work progress or new problems which require advice from above. This designation will pertain to classes with a high order of independence. Difficulty - LEVEL C: Considerable. . . Duties which require a high degree of concentration because of the many factors which must be considered and weighed before a decision can be reached. Usually positions that require planning, developing, and coordinating programs and directing fairly large groups of people fall into this category. Complexity - LEVEL D: Work is of a diversified nature that usually involves multiple unrelated steps. Analytical thought is necessary for dealing with complex data and situations. Work often involves a variety of unrelated processes and may require planning or carrying out a sequence of actions or both. Several alternatives usually exist at this level for approaching problems or situations. Workers at this level exercise a considerable amount of independent judgment. Work is controlled by occasional review and by reporting to or consultation with supervisors or superiors. When guidelines exist at this level, they are usually broadly defined or technical requiring careful analysis and interpretation. Consequence of Actions or Decisions - LEVEL E: Consequences of actions or decisions at this level are highly significant. Work is rarely if ever reviewed. Errors may result in serious disruption in the operation of a major agency. Contacts - LEVEL D: The purpose of the contact is to justify, defend, negotiate, persuade or interrogate to settle matters, maintain good will, gain cooperation or reach compromises when the information is controversial or the individuals or groups have strong differences of opinions or diverse viewpoints. Extensive use of communication techniques and well developed communication skills are required for dealing with others. Physical Demands - LEVEL B: The work requires light physical exertion. The employee may be required to perform handling activities with lightweight or easily moved items (e.g. books, file folders, boxes of office supplies, small machine parts, etc.); perform moving activities for brief periods; operate light equipment; perform repetitive motions for brief periods; confined to a work area. Environmental Conditions - LEVEL A: The work environment involves normal everyday hazards or discomforts typical of offices, meeting and training rooms, or libraries. Comfortable levels of temperature, ventilation, lighting and sound are inherent in the work environment. Exposure to deviations from pleasant environmental conditions is only occasional. The likelihood of injury is remote. Supervision/Leadership - LEVEL D: Involves administrative supervision responsibility. As a "first line supervisor", the primary responsibility involves scheduling, supervising and evaluating employees who perform the same or similar work. Responsible for recommending hiring and disciplinary actions to a higher level of authority. As a "project manager" may direct the activities of project leaders to develop plans and criteria and to evaluate progress and results for one or more projects. Distinguishing Features Differs from the Registered Nurse Senior class, which performs supervision or coordinating duties within a patient living unit or smaller treatment facility. Differs from the Registered Nurse Administrator class, which provides for directing the nursing service program at a major treatment facility. EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED Coordinates a program of total nursing services at a state operated facility by assuring total staff coverage; by serving as a consultant on difficult cases; serving as a liaison between nursing services and other departments in the facility; teaching advanced aide programs and continuing in-service training for shift personnel; and providing for supervision and evaluation of designated nursing personnel. Assists in planning, organizing, directing, and supervising a quality nursing care program; participates with section chiefs and department heads in the overall administration of the nursing program, ensuring that nursing policies remain consistent with hospital policy. Plans, assigns, and directs a program of total nursing services on a designated area for one or more shifts; supervises a staff of nurses providing nursing assessment and developing nursing care plans. Directs the nursing services program care by developing, implementing, and evaluating a plan of nursing services, providing for appropriate in-service training and nursing instruction, preparing nursing services budget, and developing nursing policies. Plans, provides for and evaluates a variety of nursing, developmental training, and other health care related instructional programs; determining the general objectives and sequence of such programs; planning the schedule of classes and providing for means of coordinating theory and practice; arranging for adequate classroom and library facilities. Directs a training program for the licensure of mental health technicians. Provides practical demonstrations, and conducts class discussions and lectures on nursing techniques and practices. Analyzes and evaluates the entire nursing education program as required; reviews current literature to implement new program components to maintain an appropriate training program. Analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of statewide implementation of health care program(s). Consults with contractors, fiscal agents, providers of direct care services, or federal regulators. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS Knowledge *Knowledge of professional nursing theory and practice. *Knowledge of the internal working relationships of the facility staff. *Knowledge of accrediting standards and regulations. Abilities *Ability to administer a nursing care program. *Ability to direct, supervise, and coordinate the application of nursing care techniques to patient care situations. *Ability to develop, administer, and evaluate a nursing education program. *Ability to direct the application of nursing care techniques in a training program. *Ability to maintain a helpful and sympathetic attitude toward patients under trying conditions and to maintain harmonious working relationships with professional, paraprofessional, and non-professional employees. *Ability to follow general instructions and procedures and to prepare and maintain required reports. *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: NC: 12/87 |