Class Title:	REGISTERED NURSE III
Class Code:	73953
Salary:	$27.27 - $35.63 Hourly $2,181.73 - $2,850.54 Biweekly $4,727.08 - $6,176.18 Monthly $56,724.93 - $74,114.14 Annually

Description  Benefits
To perform professional nursing duties in the care and services to patients and their families in an acute care facility, a health care clinic or home, or mental health facility, or Department of Health Program, to assist physicians and carry out their orders; may coordinate a continuum of care for a selected group of patients from pre-admission through post-discharge; and to do other work as required. The objective of this series is to establish a career ladder, which provides for professional growth through the performance of increasingly responsible and complex assignments and to recognize professional development and expertise attained through education and experience. To recognize individuals who have obtained work experience in non Riverside County setting such as community hospitals or community health settings and accept this experience as valid in considering professional abilities at time of employment. Incumbents at this level perform journey level duties while applying advanced knowledge and skills in providing care and service to patients with more complex problems and needs. Responsibilities are expanded to include participation in activities relating to quality assurance, policy and procedure review/revision, in-service education, staff development and preceptorship.
Examples Of Essential Duties:
• Uses the full scope of the Nursing Process to assess, plan, organize, and provide nursing care to assigned patients in accordance with physician instructions; makes preliminary observations of and prepares patients for medical treatment. • Assists physicians in administering treatments and in performing medical examinations, diagnostic tests and surgical operations. • As directed, administers or dispenses prescribe treatment and medications to patients; charts treatment and dispensing to patients and records and reports significant changes in condition and general progress of patient. • Counsels and advises patients, families, and significant others regarding special medical problems and/or proper health care methods. • Prepares and maintains concise and complete records and reports; instructs patients in carrying out physicians orders; may transcribe physicians orders to working records. • May provide orientation and training to new staff, residents, medical students, ROP and nursing students. • May participate in quality assurance reviews; may act as a team leader or relief charge nurse. • Assigns and monitors the work of subordinate nursing personnel; participates in committee activities; identifies staff training needs. • May triage patients by reviewing admissions charts and merging patients into the clinic flow at the appropriate time and place when assigned to the clinic setting. • May testify in court as to the client's mental and physical condition; may recommend initiating conservatorship investigations when assigned to the mental health setting. • May coordinate and monitor patients through the hospitalization process utilizing physicians, primary care nurses, and third party payors to maintain quality care and fiscal responsibility. • May review the post hospital care plan with the patient/family. Establishes a contact regarding time frames and responsibilities. Follows plan through a discharge.
Recruiting Guidelines:
Education: Graduation from a recognized college with diploma or degree as a Registered Nurse, a Bachelor's degree in nursing may be considered in lieu of one year of experience. OR National Certification in a nursing specialty; or a Masters Degree in Nursing, may be considered in lieu of 1 year of experience. Experience: Four years of full time experience as a registered nurse in an acute care facility, mental health facility or community health agency with references and evaluations to show appropriate skill level. Experience: Positions assigned to Patient and Family Services Case Management must have at least one year of patient case management experience. Knowledge of: Current principles, techniques and procedures used in professional nursing; medical terminology and patient care routine appropriate to clinical setting; medical instruments and equipment; the uses and effects of medicines and narcotics; community resources available to provide patient care and follow-up; Federal, State and local laws and regulations governing professional aspects of nursing; identification of potential discharge needs; payor source documentation requirements and governmental regulations affecting reimbursement. Ability to: Perform the full range of nursing duties and responsibilities in a patient care setting; plan and organize nursing plans for patients; prepare and maintain concise and complete records and reports; establish and maintain effective working relationships with physicians, patients and fellow employees; Secure the cooperation of employees to work effectively together; assist in the instruction of entry level nurses and ancillary personnel; Keep abreast of developments in area of nursing specialization; evaluate the medical records of hospital admissions; make recommendations regarding continued stay necessity; identify discharge needs.
Other Requirements:
License/Certificate: Must possess and maintain a current valid license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of California. Possession of a valid California Driver's License may be required of some positions in these classes.
Pre-Employment:
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of both a pre-employment physical exam, including a drug/alcohol test, and a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment).
Probationary Period:
As an Approved Local Merit System, the County of Riverside requires all new regular or seasonal employees to serve an initial probationary period, the duration of which is indicated in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.