Lesson 6: Categories of Nursing Personnel and their Job Descriptions

(AHP)
Nursing Supervisor
Job Summary:

Responsible for the staffing, leading and controlling of in-patients and out-patient nursing units
according to a quality management system.

Supervises and coordinates regular activities in his/ her assigned unit. Responsible for formulating
work schedule, training, orientation and assigning duties for staff in the area. Investigates and
resolves conflicts and refer unusual problems to the vice-president for nursing services.
Responsibilities and Duties:
1. Prepare the strategic plan, training plan and annual budget of the Nursing Unit.
2. Conducts timely employees performance appraisal needs to corporate and departmental quality
plan procedures, work institution and quality control.
3. Submits accurate reports on inventory, required regulatory statistics, and quality management
system related to monitoring by the 5
th
day of the subsequent month.
4. Responsible in reviewing nursing policies annually.
5. Responsible for the monthly programs and activities for professional growth and development
of the regular staff.
6. Responsible for supervising cost-effective utilization of supplies and equipments.
7. Responsible for patient and co-worker satisfaction.
8. Ensures participation and attendance of the nursing staff on hospital-sponsored activities.
9. Patient chart completion.
10. Abides by the provisions of all existing laws, rules and regulations of the government, the
denomination and the institution.
11. Performs other related duties as assigned.
12. Prepare the strategic plan, weekly schedule of the staff, patients assignment of the Nursing
Unit.
13. Submits accurate reports on inventory, required regular statistics, AHS/A scorecard and quality
management system related monitoring by the end of the month.
Unit Coordinator
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Provides quality patient and family healthcare according to work institution.
2. Ensures that all required documents (chart and charges) within the shift are accomplished by
the staff responsible.
3. Responsible in directing nursing staff meet unit performance with consideration with budget,
quality healthcare and customer satisfactory according to work institution.
4. Assists Nursing supervisor in performing timely employee performance appraisal.
5. Assists the Nursing Service in the developmental monthly programs and activities for
professional growth and development of the regular staff and allied professionals.
6. Responsible for patient and co-worker satisfaction.
7. Attends and participates in hospital-sponsored activities.
8. Abides by the provision of all existing laws, rules and regulations of the government, the
denomination and the institution.
Primary Nurse
Responsibilities and Duties:
1. Assist Nursing Supervisor in preparing the patient for the diagnosis, treatment and therapeutic
regimen.
2. Provide quality patient and family health care according to work institution.
3. Accomplish all required documentation (Vital Signs monitoring sheet, charting, intake and
output, NCP, patient history, updating of Kardex) within the shift.
4. Assist charge nurse in the complete and timely admission, transfer and discharge of patients.
5. Reports complete and accurate data related to assigned patients health care needs.
6. Proper charges and bills patients according to work institution.
7. Assist unit coordinator/ nurse supervisor in monitoring use of unit facilities and equipments.
8. Determines the need of follow-up IVF and secure from the Attending Physician the IVF to follow
especially for the NOC shift.
9. Assists and performs bedside personal care to patients assigned.
10. Perform routine newborn care to well-baby patients.
11. Administer medication safely and accurately.
12. Transcribes prescriptions, follow-up, facilitates and store patient supply of medications in the
unit, safely and accurately.
13. Accomplishes all required documents according to work institution and completed within the
shift.
14. Provides health education and information to the patient and family regarding medication
administration.
15. Manages disposal of syringes, needles and vials according to work institution.
16. Responsible to patients and co-workers satisfaction.
17. Attends and participates in hospital-sponsored activities.
18. Abides by the provision of all existing laws, rules and regulations.

Nursing Aide
Job Summary: To assist Health professionals in performing routine duties related to patient and family
health care and unit activities according to quality management system.
Responsibilities and Duties:
1. Assist Nursing Supervisor in preparing the patient for the diagnosis, treatment and therapeutic
regimen.
2. Assist Nursing Supervisor in the complete and timely admission, transfer and discharge of
patients.
3. Reports complete and accurate data related to assigned patient Health care needs.
4. Prepares charges and bills patient according to work institution.
5. Assists the charge nurse/ nursing supervisor in monitoring and maintaining use of unit facilities
and equipments.
6. Responsible for patients and co-workers satisfaction.
7. Attends and participates to hospital-sponsored activities.
8. Abides by the procedure of all existing laws, regulations and rules of the government, the
denomination and institution.
9. Assists and performs bedside personal care to patients assigned.

JOB DESCRIPTION: (Quezon Medicare Hospital)
HEAD NURSE
Carries full administrative responsibility and authority for the entire nursing service of Quezon Medicare
Hospital;
Participates in formulating hospital policies, in developing and evaluating programs and services;
Assumes full authority and responsibility for development of nursing policies;
Organizes, directs, coordinates, evaluates activities of Nursing Service Staff which allow for satisfaction
and professional growth;
Provides means and methods by which nursing personnel can interpret the goals and policies of hospital
and nursing service to the patient and to the public;
Initiates and directs studies, evaluating procedures for the improvement in relation to the total care of
patient;
Directs planning and implementation of staff development programs for different categories of nursing
personnel;
Prepares with her supervisory staff budget proposal for the nursing personnel;
Defines job description for each category of nursing personnel;
Recruits and recommends personnel for appointment, promotion or dismissal depending on
staffing needs of the services.


Lesson VII. Patient/ Population Classification System
Patient Classification System
-Means of categorizing present patients based on the certain care needs that can be clinically
observed by the nurse.
Category I. Self-Care/ Minimal Care
-Minimal care is given to the patients who are convalescing and who no longer require intensive,
moderate or maximum care.
-Patients who require diagnostic studies, minimal therapy, less frequent observations, and daily
care for minor conditions and who are awaiting elective surgery.
Category II. Moderate Care
-Care given to patients who are moderately ill or are recovering from the immediate effects of a
serious illness and/or an operation.
-Patients require nursing supervision or some assistance related to ambulating and caring for their
own hygiene.
Category III. Maximum Care
-Given to patients with who need close attention throughout the shift, that is complete care for
patients who require nursing to initiate, supervise and perform most of their activities or who
require frequent and complex medications or treatments.
Category IV. Intensive Care
-Given to acutely ill patients who have a high level of nurse dependency, including those requiring
intensive therapy and/or intensive nursing care and whose unstable condition requires frequent
evaluation with adjustment of therapy.
Lesson VIII. Patient Assignment and Nursing Responsibilities
Staffing Assignment
Staffing- Activity to ensure adequate number and mix of team members

Considerations:
-Patient needs
-Staff satisfaction
-Organizational needs



Meeting Patient Needs

Primary Considerations
1. Number of patients
2. Intensity of Care required
3.Staff experience and preparation

Meeting Staff Needs

-Satisfied nurses provide higher quality and more cost-effective care

Meeting Organizational Needs

-Budget and financial management
-Customer satisfaction
-Licensing and Accreditation
-Quality Care

Nursing Care Delivery Models
-Detailed assignments, responsibility and authority to accomplish patient care
-Determine who is going to perform what tasks, who is responsible and who makes decisions
-Match number and type of caregivers to patient care needs

Classic Nursing Care Models
1. Total Patient Care/ Case Method
2. Functional Nursing
3. Team Nursing
4. Primary Nursing
5. Other variations that are adopted to improve care

Total Patient Care (Case Method)

-Nurse is responsible for total planning, organizing and performing all care.
-Oldest method of organizing patient care.
-Typically performed by nursing students.
-Commonly used in areas- ICU and PACU

Adv:

-High degree of autonomy
-Lines of responsibility and accountability are clear
-Patient receives holistic, unfragmented care

D/adv:

-Each RN may have different approach to care
-Not cost-effective
-Lack of RN availability
Functional Nursing

-Staff members assigned to complete specific tasks
-Evolved in the WWII as a result of a nursing shortage
-Unskilled workers trained to perform routine, simple tasks
-Commonly used areas- Operating Room

Adv:
-Care is provided economically and efficiently
-Minimum number of RNs required
-Tasks are completed quickly.

D/adv:
-Care may be fragmented
-Patient may be confused with many care providers
-Caregivers feel unchallenged

Team Nursing

-RN as a team leader coordinates care for a group of patients
-Evolved in the 1950s to improve patient satisfaction.
-Goal was to reduce fragmented care
-Commonly used areas: Most inpatient and outpatient areas

Adv:
-High quality, comprehensive care with a high proportion of ancillary staff.
-Team members participate in decision-making and contribute their own expertise.

D/adv:
-Continuity suffers if daily team assignment varies
-Team leader must have good leadership skills
-Insufficient time for planning and communication.

Primary Nursing
-RNs assume a 24-hour responsibility for planning, directing and evaluating care.
-Evolved in the 1970s to improve nurses autonomy
-Commonly-used areas: hospice, home-health, long term care settings

Adv:
-High quality, holistic-patient care
-Establish rapport with the patient.
-RNs feel challenged and rewarded.

D/adv:
-Primary nurse must e able to practice with high degree of responsibility and autonomy
-RN must accept a 24-hour responsibility
-More RNs needed; Not cost-effective

Partnership Model (Co-primary Nursing)
-RN is partnered with Licensed Practical Nurse/ Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) or nursing
assistant to work together consistently.
-Modification of primary nursing to make more efficient use of the RN

Adv:
-More cost effective than primary nursing
-RN can encourage training and growth of partner

D/adv:
-RNs may have difficulty delegating to partner
-Consistent partnerships difficult to maintain due to varied schedules

Case Management

-Components include: Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation and Interaction
-Reserved for chronically ill patients, seriously-ill patients or long-term expensive cases.
-RN assumes a planning and evaluative role; usually not responsible for direct-care duties.
-Coordinates the patient care throughout the course of an illness

Lesson IX. Staff development and welfare programs.

Staff development is the process directed towards the personal and professional growth of nurses
and other personnel while they are employed by a health care agency.

Staff development refers to all training and education provided by an employee to improve the
occupational and personal knowledge' skills and attitudes of vested employees;

Development refers to the processes, programs and activities through which every organization
develops, enhances and improves the skills, competencies and overall performance of its
employees and workers; process consisting of orientation, in-service education and continuing
education for the people of promoting the development of personnel within any employment
setting, consistent with the goals and responsibilities of the employment.( ANA)

Need for staff development:

-Social change and scientific advancement
-Advancement in the field of science like medical science and technology.
-To provide the opportunity for nurses to continually acquire and implement the knowledge, skills,
attitudes, ideals and valued essentials for the maintenance of high quality of nursing care. As part
of an individuals long-term career growth.
To add or improve skills needed in the short term

Need for continuing education:

-To ensure safe and effective nursing care as nurses need to keep abreast with interest, knowledge
and technical advances.
-To meet the needs of population.
-To develop the nurses by updating their knowledge and prepare them for specialization.
-For career advancement.
-With the advancement of technology, new role change takes place and to play those roles,
-Education is required.
-To acquire special skills.
-Due to shortage of nurses (because their movement to abroad, more hospital and training
college), more knowledgeable person is required.

Functions of continuing education:

-To meet the health needs and public expectations.
-To develop the practicing abilities of the nurse.
-To recognize gaps in knowledge.
-To test abilities of participants to do formal academic study.
-To maintain the academic standards.
-To provide opportunities for educational growth.