GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

The REGISTERED NURSE 2 assists the Department Director of a unit in the development, direction, coordination, and evaluation of the practice of professional nursing. The Registered Nurse 2 functions as a role model and resource person to staff nurses and students and assumes designated Department Director functions in the absence of the Department Director. The Registered Nurse 2 provides direct or indirect professional nursing care to patients having physical and/or mental disorders.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is the second of a two level series. This class is distinguished from the lower level by the responsibility for assisting the Department Director in the development, direction, coordination and evaluation of the practice of professional nursing and the assumption of Department Director functions in the absence of the Department Director.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Administrative. Typical tasks: assists in the operation of a nursing unit; assumes responsibility for operation of nursing unit in the absence of the Department Director; assists in interviewing; counseling and disciplining staff; assists with evaluating staff performance; assists Department Director in determining appropriate staff mix; involves staff in the development, implementation and evaluation of nursing unit goals; acts as nursing unit spokesperson for operational and professional issues in the absence of the Department Director; acts as liaison between staff and Department Director; coordinates nursing care activities with services provided by other departments; participates in the evaluation of equipment and supplies; participates in the development of policies and procedures; assists in monitoring unit budget.
2. Direct or Indirect Patient Care. Typical tasks: prepares appropriate equipment for patient care (i.e. Iv's, monitors); assesses patients' physical and emotional condition and initiates interventions according to identified nursing care priorities; collaborates with others in providing client services; administers medical and nursing regimens including medication, treatments, dressings, IV's, traction, assisting with surgery, monitoring and evaluating vital signs, placing a variety of catheters and suctioning; operates and monitors sophisticated medical equipment; assists the patient in activities of daily living; evaluates effectiveness of care and adjusts accordingly; initiates cardiopulmonary resuscitation or other emergency response activities; evaluates and carries out physicians orders; coordinates all patient health services by communicating with nurses, doctors, pharmacy, laboratories, physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, dietary, and social services; responds to calls from the general public and medical professionals with appropriate advice; may assess potential transplant donors and make "accept or reject" decision; may have some security over mentally ill patients.
3. Documentation/Agency Duties. Typical tasks: keeps accurate legal written records through charting, nursing care plans and case records of such things as: patients' health status and any changes; treatments; medications administered; unusual incidents involving patients and patients' education; all data pertaining to surgery such as time patient entered operating room, time operation began, position of patient during surgery, diagnosis, supply counts for billing purposes; objective data such as patient requests or instructions to nursing staff on following shift; laboratory data, known allergies; height, weight, and vital signs; documentation of preoperative care and procedures and postoperative care; may participate in meetings with State and county health officials and Department Directors, physicians, staff to discuss current issues; reviews and audits agency and departmental techniques, procedures and policies to assure that they are effective and that proper techniques and procedures are being followed.
4. Education. Typical tasks: in addition to the educational responsibilities of the RNl, the RN2 facilitates orientation for nursing staff and other selected personnel; facilitates and promotes opportunities for staff development; identifies educational developmental needs for self and implements plan to meet needs annually; maintains a current knowledge of trends in nursing and consumer health care needs; participates in providing learning experiences for nursing students and students from other health disciplines when appropriate.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS

Employees in this class are in regular contact in person and by phone with patients to provide care and education and with patients' families to provide support and answer questions regarding patient's condition and medical procedures. Employees are in regular contact with physicians to clarify chart orders, report changes in patient's condition and to collaborate on patient care; and with residents and student nurses to provide education and share information about patients and health care procedures. Employees are in regular telephone and in-person contact with support services to provide ancillary services to patients. They may share information with community groups, health care agencies, church groups and schools.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Employees in this class receive general supervision from an Administrative Coordinator and Department Director who review work through direct observation, program results, and performance standards, and through feedback from nurses under supervision, of the employee, patients' families and physicians. Work performed by employees in this class is governed by Federal and State laws, hospital accrediting bodies, policies and procedures of the agency and practices of the nursing profession.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Possession of a valid Oregon Registered Professional Nurse License at the time of appointment.