State of Maryland

A Maryland School for the Deaf (MSD) Registered Nurse is the full performance level of work providing direct nursing care to patients/clients in State facilities. Employees in this classification may supervise Licensed Practical Nurses and non-licensed nursing and support staff.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a higher-level Nurse. Employees may be assigned to day, evening, night or rotating shifts which may include holidays and weekends. Employees may be subject to call-in and overtime based on staffing needs. The work is usually performed in a residential or inpatient treatment facility providing twenty-four hour care. Employees are required to observe infection control precautions in order to prevent contamination and spread of disease. The work may require the lifting and positioning of non-ambulatory patients and the lifting of wheelchairs and other heavy equipment. The work may require long periods of standing, walking, bending and reaching.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology. The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The MSD Registered Nurse is differentiated from the MSD Registered Nurse, Charge in that the MSD Registered Nurse is a staff nurse while the MSD Registered Nurse, Charge is in charge of nursing care for a designated work area on a particular shift and supervises assigned staff which may include MSD Registered Nurses.

Provides general nursing care to patients/clients in a State health care facility;

Administers prescribed medications and treatments in accordance with approved nursing techniques;

Assesses the current health status of the patient and identifies nursing needs;

Observes, evaluates, and validates with patient the effects of nursing measures and revises the care plan as necessary;

Works with a healthcare team in developing and implementing appropriate nursing care measures, health programs and patient care plans;

Interprets plan to allied nursing personnel and provides guidance and advice in implementing the plan;

Records and reports the health status of patients and other appropriate information;

Encourages and assists the patient in understanding present health status, developing self-care measures, and attaining and maintaining optimal health;

Interprets agency policies, objectives, and services to patients and their families;

May provide counseling, guidance and education necessary in the treatment of physical, mental and emotional health problems;

May provide appropriate referrals and follow-up services;

May participate as a team member in disease investigation and control;

May supervise patient care as delivered by paraprofessional staff;

May assume charge responsibilities under supervision of head nurse or shift supervisor on a temporary basis;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the principles, practices, and theory of the registered nursing process;

Skill in observing and measuring the effects of nursing intervention;

Skill in providing accurate nursing documentation and record keeping;

Skill in assessing physical, emotional and social needs of patients;

Skill in developing a plan of care for the patient;

Ability to communicate effectively with patients, facility staff and health department personnel as well as other community health, welfare and educational agencies;

Ability to establish effective working relationships with community health, welfare and educational agencies, patients and their families, and the general public.

Education:   Determined by the Maryland State Board of Nursing under the licensing requirements for Registered Nurses.

Experience: None.

1. Candidates for positions in this classification must possess a current license as a Registered Nurse from the Maryland State Board of Nursing, 4140 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21215 or possess a current multi-state license in party states that candidates have declared as primary states of residence.

2. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of an automobile. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

3. Employees in this classification may be required to successfully complete cardiopulmonary resuscitation training and maintain current certification.

1. Employees in this classification are subject to call-in and, therefore, will be required to provide the facility with a phone number at which they can be reached.

2. Employees in the classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with the Code of Maryland Regulations 17.04.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Professional Service classification in the State Personnel Management System. All positions in this classification are Professional Service positions. Some positions in Professional Service classifications may be designated as Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit E, Health Care Professionals classes. As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are exempt from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation. An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.