JOB DESCRIPTION

CHIEF NURSE
Organizes and administers the department of nursing.
Establishes objectives for the department of nursing and the organizational structure
for achieving these of objectives. Interprets and puts into effect administrative policies
established by the governing authority. Assists in preparing and administering budget for
the department. Selects and recommends appointment of nursing staff.

Directs and delegates management of professional and ancillary nursing personnel.

Plans and conducts conferences and discussions with administrative and professional
nursing staff to encourage participation in formulating departmental policies and
procedures, promote initiative, solve problems, and interpret new policies and
procedures. Coordinates activities of various nursing units, promoting and maintaining
harmonious relationships among nursing personnel and with medical staff. Analyzes
and evaluates nursing related services rendered to improve quality of patient care and
plan better utilization of staff time and activities. Participates in community educational
health programs.

The Chief Nurse must be a nurse who:

Understands both patient care and nurses; has demonstrated stature in the
nursing profession; has had some influence in the nursing field; has kept abreast
of changes in the profession.

Plans for the department; establishes goals and directions for the department
and helps the hospital establish its own goals; ensures that nursing has proper
influence on the total institutional goals and that nursing goals and directions
complement and support the total.

Has integrity and can be relied on to speak frankly and not waste time playing
games; is respected for his or her opinions.

Is a leader who can measure, evaluate, act, motivate, and deal with people; can
calculate trouble in advance and steady the organization; excludes unnecessary
interference in the internal operations of the department by being a strong and
effective manager

Is an interpreter for the nursing and hospital, both intramurally and extramurally;
speaks for quality and can motivate people in general; understands elements of
human behavior.

Thinks independently; is knowledgeable in the field and willing to draw upon that
knowledge to establish a position; can say no and then find a productive
alternative.

Is a member of the management team with a business mind and attitude; is able
to delegate responsibility so that the available resources are utilized; keeps
decision making close to the patient and thus responds to patient needs and not
professional resentment; demonstrates warmth and concern for the people as
individual and has an interest in total patient care; above all, has a sense of
humor and is able to supply a light touch when the going gets rough.

DUTIES OF A CHIEF NURSE

Establishes and implements standards which assure safe and therapeutically

effective nursing care of patients.

Provides for the participation of nursing staff members in the formulation of the
nursing care of patients.

Make provisions for all members of Nursing Service Department to know the
standards and their personal responsibilities in upholding them.

Establishes a plan by which each patients nursing care is planned, given or

supervised, and evaluate by a professional nurse.

Develops nursing service policies, which focus on the care of the patients and
high quality nursing care.

Participates in the establishment and promotion of administrative policies and the

practice which pertain to the practice of nursing.

Introduces Nursing Service applicants and recommend to the Administration

appointments, promotions, transfers, disciplinary actions, termination of nursing
service department personnel.

Establishes the function and qualifications of each nursing position.

Determines a staffing plan which will accomplish the stated objectives and
standards of nursing service and promote the maximum utilization of nursing
personnel.

Participates in reviewing and recommending personnel policies as related to

nursing personnel.

Directs the personnel and the activities of the nursing department. Conducts
investigation of complaints or irregularities involving the nursing service staff and
submit findings and recommendations to the administrator.

Organizes the nursing service department to delineate authority, functional

responsibilities, lines of relationship and communication to provide the safe and
therapeutically effective Nursing Care.

Evaluates Nursing Care and the Climate in which it is practice to identify the
achievements and problems to provide data for forecasting and planning.

Develops and maintains an effective system of nursing record and report.

Collaborates with the administrative staff, and representatives of allied group in

planning for coordinative services to patients.

Determines and recommends a departments budget to implement stated

objectives and control and evaluate same.

Plans with administration and other appropriate groups for the development of
new and effective use of existing facilities needed to attain service and
educational objectives.

Initiates, promotes and participates when necessary in studies and research

design to assess nursing administration practices, and nursing care, and
promotes their utilization.

Participates in activities which promote professional growth and development.

HEAD NURSE
Job Duties

Head nurses direct and supervise nursing staff in provision of nursing care and
ensure the availability of support services which facilitate this care. The first-line
nurse administrator serves as a resource to staff , interpreting philosophy, goals,
standards, policies and procedures. The head nurse participates in varying
degrees in policy formation and decision making with other member of nursing
administration. These administrators are the vital link between the nursing
management and the staff that delivers care to the patient.

Head nurses are responsible for delivering care that is therapeutically effective
and safe as well as cost-effective. They accomplish this by effective utilization of
resources through the administrative process. Usually, a head nurse is
responsible for a nursing unit.

Activities that received the most votes by head nurses as most representative of
their responsibilities were identified in one survey.

Supervises and coordinates all patient care on the unit, including communication
with physician.

Assumes 24-hour responsibility of the unit.

Confronts and resolves conflicts involving staff, physician, patients, and

personnel.

Schedules daily activities of the unit, including assignment planning, scheduled

meal and break time, and conferences.

Provides feedback to each employee on a planned basis, including a yearly

observation.

Meets regularly with nursing administration f0r feedback and problem solving.

Aids in the implementation of new policies and procedures.

Implements, evaluates, and revises plans to meet the unit goals.

STAFF NURSE
Job Duties

Renders professional nursing care to patients within an assigned unit of a

hospital, in support of medical care as directed by medical staff and pursuant to
objectives and policies of the Hospital.

Performs nursing techniques for the co-fort and well being of the patient.
Prepares equipment and assist physician during treatments and examinations of
patients. Administers prescribed medications, orally, and by injections;
Prove des treatment using therapeutic equipment; observes patients reactions
to medications and treatments; observes progress of intravenous infusions ant
subcutaneous infiltrations; changes or assist physician in changing dressings
and cleaning wounds or incisions; takes temperature, pulse, respiration rate,
blood pressure, and heart beat to detect deviations from normal and gauge
progress of patient, following physicians orders and approved nursing care plan.
Observes, records, and reports to supervisor or physician patients condition and
reaction to drugs, treatments, and significant incidents.

Maintains patients medical records on nursing observations and actions taken,

such as medications and treatments given, reaction, tests, intake and emission
of liquids and solids, temperature, pulse and respiration rate. Records nursing
needs of patients on nursing care plan to ensure the continuity of care.

Observes emotional stability of patients, expresses interest in their progress,

and prepares them for continuing care after discharged. Explains procedures
and treatments ordered to gain patients cooperation and allay apprehension.

Rotates on day, evening, and night tours of duty may asked rotate among the
various clinical and nursing services of institution. Each service will have
specialized duties, and staff nurse may be known by the section to which
assigned, such as Staff Nurse, Obstetrics or Staff Nurse, Pediatrics. May serve
as a team for a group of personnel rendering nursing care to a number of
patients.

Assist in planning, supervising, and instructing midwives, nursing aides and

students. Demonstrates nursing techniques and procedures, and assist nonprofessional nursing care personnel in rendering nursing care unit.

May assist with operations and deliveries by preparing rooms, sterilizing

instruments, equipments, and supplies, and handling them, in order of use, to
surgeon or other medical specialist.

Nursing Assistant
Wherever there is a need for personal care, certified Nursing Assistants (CNA),
or nurses aides, are there. Nursing assistants are the caregivers who, for the most
part, help patients of all ages perform the most basic day-to-day tasks. CNAs work
under the supervision of a nurse, and since they have extensive daily contact with each
patient, they play a key role in keeping the nurse up-to-date on vital information about
the patients' conditions.
Working Conditions
Due to the staffing shortage in recent years, a vast majority of nursing assistants
find themselves in the challenging position of attempting to provide quality care to far
too many patients at once. The turnover rate for nursing assistants is high, due largely
to the job's heavy workload and physical demands.
Academic Requirements
Training programs to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA) can be found
through the Red Cross, community colleges or medical facilities. Classes are generally
taught by a Registered Nurse, and the length of training depends on the program.
Through a facility, classes may run for two weeks, with a month or more of hands-on
training to follow. The classes offer the basics of what to expect with this job; however,
this is a career in which skill levels and confidence dramatically improve once the
nursing assistant becomes involved in the daily routine of actual caregiving. Search for
schools that provide training for this career.

Certified Nursing Assistant Job Purpose: Helps patients by supporting personal

hygiene and daily living needs; providing comfort, transportation, and vital sign
monitoring.

Certified Nursing Assistant Job Duties:

Provides patients' personal hygiene by giving bedpans, urinals, baths, backrubs,

shampoos, and shaves; assisting with travel to the bathroom; helping with showers
and baths.

Provides for activities of daily living by assisting with serving meals, feeding
patients as necessary; ambulating, turning, and positioning patients; providing fresh
water and nourishment between meals.

Provides adjunct care by administering enemas, douches, nonsterile dressings,

surgical preps, ice packs, heat treatments, sitz and therapeutic baths; applying
restraints.

Maintains patient stability by checking vital signs and weight; testing urine;
recording intake and output information.

Provides patient comfort by utilizing resources and materials; transporting

patients; answering patients' call lights and requests; reporting observations of the
patient to nursing supervisor.

Documents actions by completing forms, reports, logs, and records.

Maintains work operations by following policies and procedures.

Protects organization's value by keeping patient information confidential.

Serves and protects the hospital community by adhering to professional

standards, hospital policies and procedures, federal, state, and local requirements,
and jcaho standards.

Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading

professional publications; participating in professional organizations; maintaining
licensure.

Enhances nursing department and hospital reputation by accepting ownership for

accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job
accomplishments.

Skills/Qualifications: Multi-tasking, Medical Teamwork, Bedside Manner, Infection

Control, Nursing Skills, Health Promotion and Maintenance, Creating a Safe, Effective
Environment, Informing Others, Judgment, Pain Management, Acute/Critical Care

Nurse Supervisor/Charge Nurse

The primary purpose of this position is to supervise the daily nursing activities of
the facility during the shift. Such supervision must be in accordance with current federal,
state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern our facility, and as
may be required by the Director of Nursing Services to ensure that the highest degree
of quality care is maintained at all times.
Nursing Care Functions

Conduct the daily nursing functions in accordance with current rules, regulations,
and guidelines that govern the long term care facility.

Ensure that all nursing personnel assigned to you comply with the written policies
and procedures including the safety program.

Admit, transfer, and discharge residents with documentation regarding care and
service provided.

Participate in the orientation of new residents/family members to the facility.

Make rounds with health care provider.

Utilize nursing personnel qualifications according to the residents care plan,

wishes, and health care provider orders.

Complete daily clinical and environmental rounds to evaluate resident care being
provided and report significant events.

Meet and resolve issues with residents and/or family members. Report significant
issues to the supervisor.

Participate in facility surveys (inspections) as requested by management.

May be responsible for clinical programs as directed, e.g. dementia, wound care,
quality assurance, infection control, admissions.

Communication/Documentation Functions
1. Complete an initial assessment and develop interim care plan.
2. Update, review, and transcribe the care plan that identifies the goals, problems,
approaches, and revisions based on nursing needs and new health care provider
orders.
3. Communicate with health care provider to review treatment plans, complete
orders, progress notes, etc., in accordance with established policies.
4. Review the residents medical record for specific treatments, medication orders,
diets, labs etc., as for implementation and follow up.
5. Requisition and arrange for diagnostic and therapeutic services, as ordered by
the health care provider, and in accordance with our established procedures.
6. Communicate the departments policies and procedures to personnel, residents,
and visitors.
7. Communicate with written (24 hour report) and oral reports/recommendations
concerning any changes in resident condition and other activities of your shift to
nursing management.
8. Fill out and complete accident/incidents involving residents or staff and submit to
Director of Nursing.
9. Complete and file assessments and all other medical record documentation as
required to provide care services.
10. Report all discrepancies noted concerning physicians orders, diet change,
charting error, etc., to the supervisor.
11. Complete clinically accurate documentation according to policy.
12. Review the resident medical documentation and progress notes from the
interdisciplinary team to determine if the care plan is being followed. Report any
concerns to your supervisor.

13. Inform nursing personnel of new admissions and the residents care needs.
Ensure that rooms are ready for new admissions.

Greet newly admitted

residents upon admission.

14. Notify the residents attending health care practitioner and family when there is a
change in the residents condition.
15. Meet with your assigned support personnel (Housekeeping, Dining Services,
Nursing Assistants, etc.) to plan the shifts services, programs, and activities and
monitor tasks are completed as directed.
16. Coordinate services with other members of the disciplinary team (Housekeeping,
Dining Services, Nursing, etc.) to ensure that the residents total regimen of care
is maintained.
17. Assist in arranging transportation for residents and other third party services.

Medication Administration Functions

1. Prepare and administer medications ordered by the health care provider.
2. Ensure that an adequate supply of floor stock medications, supplies, and
equipment is on ha
3. Review medication administration record for completeness of information,
accuracy in the tr
4. Dispose of drugs and narcotics as required, and in accordance with established
procedures.
Personnel Functions
1. Adjust the staffing needs of the nursing service department necessary to meet
the total nursing needs of the residents.
2. Develop work assignments, schedule duty hours, and assist and supervise
nursing staff to ensure that all personnel are performing their work assignments
in accordance with acceptable nursing standards.

3. Assist in staff development. Formally and informally monitor performance of

personnel and ensure adjustments/corrections are made by using coaching,
counseling, and discipline methods.
4. Work with the Director of Nursing to resolve staff performance issues including
those that may lead to termination.
5. Review complaints and grievances, complete investigations, and work with the
Director of Nursing for a plan of action and resolution..
6. Participate in the planning, conducting and scheduling of timely in service and
orientation training classes that meet state and federal requirements.

Safety and Sanitation

1. Supply and make available protective equipment for staff.
2. Maintain nursing service work areas (i.e., nurses stations, medicine preparation
rooms, etc.), resident rooms, and treatment areas in a clean and sanitary
manner.
3. Recommend to the Director of Nursing the equipment and supply needs of the
nursing department. Ensure that a stock level of medications, medical supplies,
equipment, etc., is maintained on the premise at all times to adequately meet the
needs of the residents.
Requirements
Must possess the ability to make independent decisions, follow instructions, and accept
constructive criticism. Must be able to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family
members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public. Must be
able to work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and potentially hostile people
within the facility. Must be able to speak, write and understand English in a manner that
is sufficient for effective communication with supervisors, employees, residents, and
families.
Education and Experience

Prefer experience as a supervisor in a hospital, long-term care facility, or other related

health care facility. Must have experience in supervision and principles, practice of
teaching, etc. Must possess skills in leadership and communication. Must possess
creativity, integrity, and initiative. Must be able to provide critical thinking skills to
address clinical issues.

Licensing/Certifications
Must possess an active license to practice as an RN in this state.

References:

Bebot808 (2009), ROLES AND FUNCTION OF A CHIEF NURSE, HEAD

NURSE, AND STAFF NURSE; http://bebot808.blogspot.com/2009/03/roles-andfunction-of-chief-nurse-head.html

Monster (2013), Recruiting and Hiring Advice Certified Nursing Assistant Job
Description;

http://hiring.monster.com/hr/hr-best-practices/recruiting-hiring-

advice/job-descriptions/certified-nursing-assistant-job-description.aspx

Explore

Health

Careers

(20013),

Nurses

Aide/Nursing

Assistant;

http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/Career/120/Nurses_AideNursing_Assistant#Ta
b=Overview

The Goodman Group (2010); Nurse Supervisor/Charge Nurse Job Description;

https://wfa.kronostm.com/index.jsp?
locale=en_US&applicationName=TheGoodmanGroupNonReqExt&SEQ=position
Details&POSTING_ID=9437378404