Pay Grade:  34

DEFINITION OF WORK

Summary

This is specialized advanced nursing responsible for the management and direction of primary health care services at a treatment state-operated facility or an outpatient clinic for the physically ill, mentally ill, emotionally disturbed and/or developmentally disabled. 

Work involves the oversight of primary health care services provided at a state-operated treatment facility.

Supervision Received - LEVEL E: "Under administrative direction..." At this level, employees are free to plan, develop and organize all phases of the work necessary for its completion within program guidance. Generally, they can develop and utilize any procedures and methods which do not conflict with major policies. Supervision is generally exercised over them through staff conference-type discussions and a review of progress reports.

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 E: Work is of a highly diverse and/or complex nature characterized by a broad range of activities and frequently changing conditions, situations and problems. Considerable analytical thought is necessary for interpreting a variety of factors, problems and alternatives for methods and procedures. Work requires the origination of ideas, techniques and programs for solving technical problems or complicated situations. Workers at this level experience a high degree of responsibility for independent judgment and may participate in major program changes or policy decisions. When guidelines exist at this level, they are normally characterized by regulations, policies or complex technical manuals.

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 compromise 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 C: The work requires moderate 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 B: Involves functional leadership responsibility. As a "senior worker", performing essentially the same or similar work as those overseen, responsibility includes training, instructing, scheduling and reviewing. As a "project leader" may be responsible for a phase(s) of a single project which includes planning, coordinating and reviewing the work of others. This level may also involve limited administrative responsibility such as participating in the evaluation of work performance.

Differs from Registered Nurse V Administrator class which directs a nursing service program at a state-operated major treatment facility.

Performs all functions defined for basic nursing practice; evaluate the physical and psychosocial health status of individuals clients; assess normal and abnormal findings; plan, implement and evaluate care.

Manages the medical plan of care for clients and prescribe medications for individuals.  Recognize, develop, and implement professional and community education programs.

Participates in periodic evaluation of services rendered (chart reviews, case reviews, individual patient evaluations and outcome of case statistics) and joint review and revision of adopted protocols and/or guidelines.

Provides indirect nursing care; plan, guide, evaluate, and direct the nursing care given by other personnel associated with nursing functions.

Serves as a consultant to direct care staff (including nurses).

Conduct initial intake assessments, assist in the development of individualized care plans, prescribe medications (under established protocols), and assess patients for ongoing medical/psychiatric needs.

*Knowledge of professional nursing theory and practice.

*Knowledge of nursing administration and practice.

*Knowledge of treatment of mental illness.

*Knowledge of medically necessary laboratory and/or diagnostic tests.

*Knowledge of individualized treatment and discharge plans.

*Knowledge of accreditation standards and regulations.

*Knowledge of practice trends in diagnosis and treatment of individuals patients.

  Knowledge of JCAHO standards and CMS regulations.  

Knowledge of Kansas Department of Health and Environment standards and regulations. 

Knowledge of Federal Veterans Administration Standards.

Abilities

*Ability to administer a comprehensive medical services care program.

*Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate written care plans, objectives, and policies.

*Ability to accurately complete complex clinical documentation accurately.

*Ability to prescribe and evaluate the effects of medications (under the established protocols).

*Necessary at Entry

Eligible to be licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) and  as a licensed certified as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) with the Kansas Board of Nursing and independent complex work experience with registered nursing in the clinical setting. 

Positions in this class require that at the time of appointment the selected candidate must possess a Kansas license/temporary permit to practice by the Kansas State Board of Nursing as a Registered Nurse (RN) and be certified by KSBN as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP).

NC:  06/02
REV: 09/03