DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: The work is performed in accordance with professional practices and may involve diagnosing and treating human responses to actual or potential health problems through such services as case findings, health teaching, health counseling, and the provision of care supportive to or restorative of life and well being. An incumbent executes medical regimens prescribed by a licensed or otherwise legally authorized physician or dentist without varying any existing medical regimen. The work is performed in various County agencies and may involve varied job assignments. A Registered Professional Nurse does related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:
An incumbent assigned to the County Health Department:
- Visits homes to determine patient and family needs and provides nursing services;
- Advises family in care and rehabilitation of patient, and in maintenance of health and prevention of disease for family members;
- Gives treatments to patient following physician's instructions;
- Assists health field personnel to assess, plan for, and provide needed health and related services;
- May provide information regarding home nursing, maternal and childcare, and other subjects related to individual and community welfare;
- Participates in programs to safeguard health of children, including child health conferences, school health, group instruction for parents, and immunization programs;
- May assist in preparation of special studies and in research programs.
An incumbent assigned to the County Jail:
- Provides nursing care to mentally ill and emotionally disturbed inmates;
- Administers oral medications and hypodermic injections, following physician's prescriptions and jail procedures;
- Takes and records measures of inmate's general physical condition, such as pulse, temperature, and respiration, to provide information;
- Observes inmates to detect behavior patterns and reports observations to others;
- Leads prescribed individual or group therapy sessions as part of specific therapeutic procedures; May complete initial admittance forms for inmates;
- May issue medications from dispensary and maintain records in accordance with specified procedures.
An incumbent assigned to a County Nursing Home:
- Provides general nursing care to nursing home residents;
- Administers prescribed medications and treatments in accordance with approved nursing techniques;
- Observes, records significant conditions and reactions, and notifies supervisor of resident's condition and reaction to drugs, treatments, and significant incidents;
- Takes temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and other vital signs to detect deviations from normal and assess the condition of residents;
- May act as charge nurse and team leader exercising supervision over licensed practical nurses and certified nurse aides.
Typical Work Activities:
An incumbent assigned to the County Community Services Department
- Interviews clients and visits their homes to observe their progress in community living and evaluate their mental health treatment needs;
- Observes behavior noting any evident symptoms and evaluates a client's success in coping with their mental illness;
- Instructs on proper administration of medications and any expected effects;
- Completes annual health assessments and refers clients to their physicians when necessary; Leads individual or group therapy sessions as part of specific therapeutic procedures;
- Advises patient, involved family members, and treatment team of symptoms of patient's illness and explains treatment prescribed, within OMH and HIPPA regulations;
- Prepares treatment plans and reviews as required, completes other documentation as directed;
- Takes temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and other vital signs to detect deviations from normal and assess the condition of residents;
- Coordinates delivery of services to
clients by county mental health services and provides linkages to
outside services as needed.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS
ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Working knowledge of
acceptable standards of practice for registered nurses; good knowledge
of communicable disease control; good knowledge and understanding of the
behavior of individuals throughout the normal life span; working
knowledge in normal growth and development; skill in the application of
nursing care in accordance with acceptable standards of practice; tact;
good judgment; emotional stability, initiative, and resourcefulness;
good health. physically and mentally which allows for the performance of
the essential functions of the position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Possession of a license and current
certification to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York
State.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT FOR APPOINTMENT: In certain agencies,
possession of a valid New York State Driver's License.
APPLICATIONS: You
may obtain information from the Cattaraugus County Civil Service Commission,
303 Court Street, Little Valley, New York or by calling the Civil Service
Office, 938-9111 Ext. 2317. Mail or bring completed applications to this
address. Or download an application by clicking here.
CATTARAUGUS
COUNTY
AN EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY ACTION EMPLOYER