REGISTERED NURSE V

DEFINITION

This is responsible and advanced professional nursing work in a large-scale supervisory, administrative and/or educational capacity.

An employee in this class, in a large facility for the physically or mentally ill or disabled or for the mentally retarded/developmentally disabled, is responsible for planning, organizing and directing facility-wide nursing services on an assigned shift, nursing services provided in a large subdivision or area of the facility, or a nursing education program under the nursing director; in a smaller facility, may function as the assistant to the nursing director. In a large correctional facility, the employee directs and supervises all nursing and ancillary services. In a psychiatric facility, the employee may be assigned as a psychiatric nurse specialist with responsibilities for conducting highly skilled and complex nursing assessments, interventions and consultations. Supervision is usually exercised over subordinate professional and paraprofessional nursing staff. The employee is expected to work independently within established policies and guidelines and work is reviewed for conformance with policies and achievement of goals and objectives.

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

Plans, directs, monitors and evaluates nursing services as the supervisor of a large multi-ward unit, as the facility shift supervisor, or as the assistant director of nursing, depending on the size of the facility and the scope of nursing services involved.

Directs, supervises, and evaluates the work of professional and paraprofessional nursing staff in the care and treatment of patients/clients.

Develops and implements nursing policies and procedures for the assigned area; supervises the development and implementation of individualized care plans; develops and maintains a therapeutic environment for the assigned area.

Plans, directs and evaluates a large-scale nursing inservice and training program under the Director of Nursing and coordinates student nurse training programs with affiliated universities and schools.

Provides specialized and highly complex clinical nursing services including assessments, treatment planning, and nursing interventions; provides consultation in area of expertise to other nursing staff.

Makes rounds of the assigned area to inspect patient/client care and treatment; reviews clinical records, charts and progress records; and consults with physicians as needed.

Prepares and maintains periodic and special clinical and administrative records and reports.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of professional nursing theory, practices and standards.

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

Thorough knowledge of various therapeutic techniques and modalities used to treat the physically and/or mentally ill or disabled or mentally retarded/developmentally disabled.

Thorough knowledge of effective methods of teaching nursing arts and science.

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

Ability to plan, implement and evaluate large-scale nursing services.

Ability to conduct skilled nursing assessments, develop accurate nursing diagnoses, and implement complex therapeutic nursing interventions within the area of expertise.

Ability to assess nursing education needs and to plan and implement nursing education programs.

Ability to maintain clinical and administrative records and prepare related reports.

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

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, superiors, subordinates and students.

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.)

Two years of professional nursing experience including at least one year of supervisory, educational or specialized clinical experience; and possession of a Master's Degree in Nursing from an accredited college or university.

OR

Three years of professional nursing experience including at least two years of supervisory, educational or specialized clinical experience; and graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. (Applicants with a Nursing Diploma or Associate of Arts Degree in nursing will be accepted with one additional year of general professional nursing experience).

OR

One year of experience as a Registered Nurse IV under the Missouri Merit System.

SPECIAL NOTE

Certification by the American Nurses' Association (or other comparable body with equivalent certifying requirements) in psychiatric and mental health, medical-surgical, pediatric, gerontological or general nursing practice, nursing administration, or other areas relevant to nursing practices in state agencies may be substituted for one year of the required general experience.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

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)