State of Maryland

A 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 Registered Nurse is differentiated from the Registered Nurse, Charge in that the Registered Nurse is a staff nurse and performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision while the 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 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.

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 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 Descriptions 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.

Class Descriptions provide information about the Nature of Work, Examples of Work, General Requirements and Acknowledgements.  The Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities; Minimum Education and Experience Requirements; Special Requirements; and recruitment and testing procedures are set by the using agency.

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 not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of S (Supervisor), M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential).  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded 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.