7/1/89 C

This is a journey level class in a single-class series responsible for providing general nursing care and related medical services for individuals incarcerated in a correctional institution. Positions in this class are assigned responsibilities for administering medications and maintaining records; making sick call rounds; taking and recording patient data on charts; performing routine treatments; providing first aid treatments and emergency care; and assisting physicians in examinations, treatments, and minor and routine surgical procedures.

Complexity of Work: Positions in this class perform work of moderate difficulty inclusive of Licensed Practical Nurse and/or Physician's Assistant - Category II work. Duties include conducting daily sick calls; providing first aid and emergency medical care; serving as an operating technician to physicians; providing pre-operative and post-operative nursing care; taking and charting patient data; dispensing medications; maintaining records of controlled drugs; requisitioning drugs from the pharmacy; and transcribing physician's orders. May perform clerical and administrative duties such as ordering supplies and equipment; making appointments and arrangements for transportation and/or transfers; and preparing shift reports. May also perform housekeeping duties.

Supervision Given: Supervision is typically not a factor; however, positions may assist in the training and/or direction of assigned inmates.

Supervision Received: Receives general supervision from a Registered Nurse or Physician.

Scope: Work affects the quality of nursing care provided to and the physical well being of a specified group of inmates.

Impact of Actions: Work has moderate impact on the quality of health care and well being of inmates. Effective decisions result in the

provision of accurate medical treatment. Errors could result in prolonged inmate illnesses.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal contact with professional staff and institution management, and daily external contact with inmates regarding services provided. Occasional external contact with other health care facilities and the State Health Department to provide or obtain information.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of practical or general nursing care; pharmacology; and of the institution operating procedures, including required security procedures.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to follow written and oral instructions; to communicate with inmates; to take and chart patient medical data; and to recognize and report illnesses and disorders. Demonstrated ability to administer first aid and emergency medical treatment, as well as prescribed practical or general nursing care.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

License or Certification: Licensure (or applicant status) as a Practical Nurse by the Virginia State Board of Nursing; or licensure (applicant status) as a Physician Assistant - Category II by the Virginia State Board of Medicine.

Education or Training: Completion of LPN educational program or equivalent commensurate with the requirements for certification as a Physician Assistant - Category II.

Level and Type of Experience: Experience in providing general nursing care and emergency medical care.

This specification was developed in July, 1988, as part of the Statewide Classification Review/Specification Update Program. It replaces the Corrections Hospital Nurse Technician (44181, grade 6) and Corrections Hospital Surgical Nurse Technician (44182, grade 7) classes.