REGISTERED NURSE III

DEFINITION

This is advanced professional and supervisory nursing work.

An employee is this class is responsible for planning, supervising and participating in nursing care for a limited number of the physically or mentally ill or disabled or mentally retarded/developmentally disabled, or for work of comparable responsibility. Employees in this class may normally be distinguished from nurses of lower rank by reason of assignment as the nurse in charge on a ward or unit requiring close professional supervision on the shift involved. Work may also involve independent nursing duties which require the application of specialized nursing skills. The employee normally supervises subordinate professional and paraprofessional nursing staff involved in providing and documenting general and specialized nursing care. The employee is expected to perform assigned duties independently according to instructions and established nursing standards and procedures. Work is reviewed by superiors for conformance with established policy and effectiveness of nursing activities.

Any one position may not involve all of the specified duties or knowledges, skills and abilities, nor are the listed examples exhaustive.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

Assigns, supervises and evaluates the work of subordinate professional and paraprofessional nursing staff in the care and treatment of patients/clients on a ward or comparable living area requiring close nursing supervision on the shift involved.

Serves as a nursing team leader responsible for defining and implementing the nursing care plan for assigned patients/clients and for supervision of nursing team members.

Conducts nursing assessments and develops nursing diagnoses and care plans.

Participates in developing individualized treatment plans as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team.

Trains subordinate nursing staff and nursing students and evaluates their performance.

Gives medications and treatments as prescribed by a physician.

Makes rounds with physicians, informs them of the status of patients/clients, and receives instructions on further care and treatment.

Keeps clinical charts and reports on the progress and status of patients.

Conducts patient/client support group sessions and participates in psychiatric oriented group therapy sessions.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Considerable knowledge of professional nursing theory, practices and standards.

Considerable knowledge of pharmacology, therapeutic diets and nutrition, aseptic techniques, and other basic natural and social sciences necessary to provide good nursing care.

Working knowledge of management principles and techniques as applied to the administration of nursing.

Ability to supervise, evaluate and instruct subordinate professional and paraprofessional nurses.

Ability to assess physically or mentally ill or disabled patients/clients, make nursing diagnoses and formulate nursing care plans.

Ability to direct and administer detailed therapeutic prescriptions and nursing interventions.

Ability to observe, recognize and identify deviations in the conditions of patients/clients.

Ability to maintain an empathetic attitude toward and working relationships with physically or mentally ill or the mentally retarded/developmentally disabled and their families.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other nursing employees and other professional care staff.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

(The following entrance requirements are used to admit or reject applicants for merit system examinations, or may be used to evaluate applicants for employment in positions not requiring selection from merit system registers. When applicable, equivalent substitution will be allowed for deficiencies in experience or education.)

Possession of a Master's Degree in Nursing from an accredited college or university.

OR

One year of professional nursing experience; and graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing.

OR

Two years of professional nursing experience; and graduation from a recognized school of nursing.

NECESSARY SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Possession of a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Missouri at the time of appointment.

(Rev. 10/1/89)