Job Description: Private Duty Nurse

Responsibilities

The PHC Private Duty Nursing (PDN) Staff provide the frontline services to PHC’s patient population. They deliver and document effective and efficient care. They also serve in the most fundamental role of establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with PHC leadership, staff, patients and families. Key activities may include:

1. Follows the Plan of Care and notifies Clinical Supervisor of changes in orders.
2. Delivers compassionate, accurate, quality care
3. Produces clear, concise, and accurate documentation and submits within required time frames.
4. Recognizes deviations in patient conditions and makes appropriate notifications
5. Displays successful decision-making and problem solving skills, and coordinates with the Clinical Supervisor when appropriate
6. Establishes and sustains a professional rapport with patients, families, co-workers, and PHC leadership
7. Maintains effective communication and coordination between PHC staff, patients and families
8. Exercises effective conflict avoidance and resolution skills
9. Maintains current knowledge of work topics, including new diagnoses and medications
10. Conforms with all PHC policies
11. Minimizes call-outs
12. Arrives on time to work and displays a strong work ethic
13. Supports team-building efforts
14. Displays strong organizational and time-management skills
15. Continually strives for quality improvement

Essential Job Functions:

The PHC Private Duty Nurse divides time across clinical and administrative responsibilities. The allocation of time and effort will vary by patient and includes:

• Clinical (95%)
  Direct patient care, accompany patient to physician visits, school, and therapy as needed; orders/re-orders medications, orders and organizes DME supplies
• Clinical Administration (5%)
  Charting, Participate in training and Performance Evaluations

Job Qualifications:

1. Education: Graduate of an accredited Diploma, Associate or Baccalaureate School of Nursing or a Certificate program recognized by the State of Texas Board of Nursing (BON)
2. Preferred experience: One (1) year experience as a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) obtained within the last 36 months; experience and knowledge of Trach/Vent, G-tube
3. Licensures and certifications: Current Texas State license as an RN or LVN and current Texas Drivers License. Current CPR accredited by American Heart Association or American Red Cross or any other accredited sources approved by PHC; PDN to maintain their BON required 20 contact hours
4. General Skills: Proven written and oral communication skills; proficient with computer use; excellent interpersonal and organizational skills; problem solving and conflict resolution skills
5. References: Minimum of two professional references meeting PHC standards
6. Transportation: Reliable transportation

Environmental and Working Conditions

Works the majority of time in the patient’s home with occasional shifts outside the home supporting family outings and hospital or clinic visits. Noise level may be moderately high, ability to work a flexible schedule and extended hours. Ability to travel locally and some exposure to inclement weather.

Physical and Mental Effort

Prolonged sitting and some standing required. Occasional need to lift, pull, carry and push items weighing up to fifty pounds. Frequent need to stoop, kneel and reach while providing patient care. Requires working under some stressful conditions to meet deadlines, resolve interpersonal conflicts, and address employer and employee needs. Requires hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity. Requires excellent interpersonal and problem solving skills.

Shift / Schedule

Shifts and schedules vary and are determined on an individual basis. Typical shifts are 12 hour day and/or 12 hour night shifts.

Job Description Acknowledgement

I have received, reviewed and fully understand the PDN job description. I further understand that I am responsible for carrying out the listed responsibilities and successfully executing the essential functions under the conditions as described.