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Senior Registered Professional Nurse 1 Jurisdiction: Schuyler County Jurisdictional Class: Non-Competitive Adopted: March 1, 2004, Revised: July 9, 2012, Revised: December 12, 2017 SENIOR REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL NURSE DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: The work involves performing patient /client care services and/or Community Health Nursing in accordance with professional nursing practices, physician’s orders and established rules and regulations in the Community Services and Public Health Departments. The Senior Registered Professional Nurse typically is assigned additional duties; including specific patients / clients who require more intensive services and/or Community Program Management assignments. More intensive coaching, teaching, mentoring and quality improvement activities are also assigned to the Senior RPN. Work is reviewed under general supervision of the Clinic Director or Public Health Director. The Sr. RPN is expected to perform duties (required or routine) independently. Does related work as required. TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: Community Services Carries out therapeutic treatments as ordered by the physician, including the dispensing of medication, nursing assessments and nursing interventions; Assesses vital signs and monitors physical changes in patient / client; Plan and set up personal care, behavioral health care for patient with physician, therapists, and family members; Teaches self medication principles and techniques to patients / client and families; Teaches patients / clients and families about the nature of relapse and recovery; Instructs patients / clients and family members on patient’s diet, health habits, treatments and rehabilitative measures as prescribed by the physician; Prepares state required paperwork and record keeping; Completes quality assurance / quality improvements as required by the supervisor; May provide services in clinic, satellites, other institutional settings or patients / clients homes; Maintains contact with physicians regarding problems or concerns that arise with patients / clients; May supervise and assign other subordinate staff as needed; Makes contacts with appropriate welfare or health agencies, as necessary, to assure the patients / clients receive needed services or follow-up care; Performs related services for patients / clients in the prevention of illness and the attainment of maximum health; Other appropriate duties as assigned by management. Public Health Assist in the assessment of the health status of populations using data, community resources identification, input from the community and professional judgement Participates in the conduct of surveys and studies related to health matters; ---PAGE BREAK--- Senior Registered Professional Nurse 2 Assists in the analyzes collected assessment data and partners with the people to attach meaning to those data and determine opportunities and needs Counsels and guides individuals and families in recognizing and attempting to resolve or ameliorate physical, emotional and environmental health problems; Supports the development of programs, policies and services that provide interventions that improve the health status of populations Teaches classes, addresses groups and participates in community planning related to nursing and health with community organizations; Uses Public Health surveillance / disease investigation methods in community outreach; Staff immunization, health care and screening clinics, including taking health histories, performing diagnostic tests, physical assessments, administering vaccines and counseling patients on preventative health and health maintenance measures; May provide services in clinic, satellites, other institutional settings or patients / clients homes Participates in public health preparedness activities as trained and assigned FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Community Services Thorough knowledge of nursing principles and techniques and their relation to medical and surgical practices, and / or behavioral health care; Knowledge of medications, as needed; Good knowledge of sanitation, personal hygiene and dietetics; Skill in observation and the application of current nursing practices; Ability to follow technical oral and written instructions; Ability to prepare and maintain complex records and reports; Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relations with patients / clients, physicians and others; Sympathetic attitude toward the sick and/or mentally ill; Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position. Public Health Ability to evaluate the health status of the population Ability to administer public health and nursing programs Ability to evaluate and implement policies, programs and services Ability to implement strategies for continuous quality improvement Good knowledge of current public health nursing practices, procedures and principles; Good knowledge of personal living habits and dietary requirements which promote good health; Ability to communicate effectively and prepare written records and reports; Ability to apply ethical standards in advocating for health and social policy and delivery of public health programs to promote and preserve the health of the population ---PAGE BREAK--- Senior Registered Professional Nurse 3 Good knowledge of community organizations and services available to provide auxiliary services for the total health care of patients; Good knowledge of communicable disease diagnoses, spread, containment and treatment options; Ability to use evidence in developing, implementing, evaluation and improving policies programs and services; Ability to use research findings in practice; Ability to instruct others on health care methods, practices and techniques; Ability to collaborate with the representatives of the population and other health and human service professionals and organizations in the providing for and promoting the health of the population; Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position; MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Possession of a license and current registration issued by the State of New York to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse and one year of nursing experience in either a Public Health, Community Services, or Behavioral Health agency or hospital setting. SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a valid New York State driver’s license.