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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-07-2005-5cORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 7, 2005 Action Agenda 5- C_ Item No. . SUBJECT: Classification Plan Amendment -Add Class of Licensed Practical Nurse DEPARTMENT: Health and Personnel ATTACHMENT(S): Class Specification for LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No INFORMATION CONTACT: Rosemary Summers, Health Director, Extension 2412 Elaine Holmes, Personnel Director Extension 2550 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough Chapel Hill Durham Mebane 732-8181 968-4501 688-7331 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider amending the Orange County Classification and Pay Plan by establishing a new class of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at Salary Grade 12 (Salary Grade 12 has a hiring range of $28,935 - $37,596). BACKGROUND: In the past, a Community Health Aide position in the Health Department provided support to the state-wide Hepatitis B Immunization program for 6th graders. This included visiting the Orange County schools and recording immunization dates, checking students in and out, assisting the school nurse with permission/documentation forms and contacting parents as necessary. In 1994, a new State law was adopted that required kindergarteners receive their Hepatitis B immunization shot prior to starting school. In order to facilitate larger numbers of children in school systems with the appropriate immunization, the State authorized counties to immunize 6th graders until such time as the population within the school would be fully immunized. Last year was the final year in this transitional phase. All children in the school system should now be fully immunized for Hepatitis B, and there is no longer a need for a school-based immunization program in this area. The Health Director assessed the needs and determined that the health clinics would function more efficiently if the duties and responsibilities of the Community Health Aide position were realigned to provide nursing support duties in the clinical setting that are currently being performed by Public Health Nurses. This nursing support would include interviewing patients and obtaining medical data, taking vital signs and collecting specimens, administering tests and immunizations such as flu shots, skin tests, HIV testing and counseling, and providing support to the communicable disease program, all under the supervision and guidance of a registered nurse. The realignment of nursing support duties would allow the Public Health Nurses to focus more time on the communicable disease program, chronic conditions and other nursing duties that require their advanced knowledge, skills and abilities. The Health Department asked Personnel to conduct a classification and pay study to take account of the new duties and responsibilities assigned to the position. Personnel has completed this study and the new duties are at a broader scope and higher level than those previously performed by the Community Health Aide. An individual must complete a State accredited program of practical nurse education and obtain a practical nurse license in order to perform these nursing duties. Personnel recommends that a new class of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at Salary, Grade 12 be established and that the Community Health Aide at Salary Grade 9 be reclassified to the new class of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at Salary Grade 12. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Funds to implement the results of the classification and pay study or this position are available within the approved budget for 2005-06. The position currently is classified as Community Health Aide at Salary Grade 9 with a current annual salary of $25,577. With the approval of the new Licensed Practical Nurse class, this position will be reclassified to the new class of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at Salary Grade 12. The annual salary will increase to $28,935 (the minimum of the new salary range). The estimated increase in cost for salary and benefits is $3,779 on an annual basis and $3,052 for the remainder of this fiscal year. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board amend the Classification and Pay Plan by establishing a new class of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at Salary Grade 12. 3 JOB TITLE: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) DEPARTMENT: Health, Orange County Attachment JOB SUMMARY: This position is responsible for providing basic public health nursing care in clinics and in the community under the supervision and guidance of a Registered Nurse. MAJOR DUTIES: o Administers tests and immunizations, including providing counseling and education; administers flu shots, skin tests, injections, pregnancy tests, HIV testing and counseling, etc. o Interviews patients and obtains pertinent medical data., o Provides documentation in patient's medical record, o Assists with screening, referring, providing information and following up with clients. o Takes vital signs and collects specimens. o Assists medical personnel with clinical preparation duties, exams, treatment procedures and obtaining outside information such as agency or physician referrals; prepares cultures and slides for lab; assists with set up and clean up of clinics. o Maintains and inventories supplies in examining rooms, clinic area and supply room. o Provides assistance with communicable disease/emergency situations as needed. o Performs other related duties as assigned. KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION o Knowledge of practical nursing techniques and the routine care and treatment of all types of clients, o Knowledge of sanitation, personal hygiene, basic health and safety practices applicable to work area. o Knowledge of techniques for testing and prevention of communicable diseases. o Knowledge of general medical terminology and abbreviations. o Skill in patient interviewing techniques. o Skill in administering injections. o Ability to make accurate observations of clients and to record and communicate this clearly. o Ability to understand the special physical and emotional problems of clients and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and their families, o Skill in public and interpersonal relations. o Skill in oral and written communication, SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Public Health Nurse Supervisor assigns work in terms of general instructions. Completed work is reviewed for compliance with policies and procedures, and accuracy. GUIDELINES: Guidelines include state and federal laws and regulations; county, department, and division policies and procedures, and nursing protocols. These guidelines are generally clear and specific, but may require some interpretation in application, COMPLEXITY: The work consists of varied nursing duties. Determining which immunizations are needed for children and at what times combined with reviewing records from foreign countries with different vaccines and different schedules all contribute to the complexity of the work. SCOPE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this position is to provide public health nursing cares in clinics and in the community under the supervision and guidance of a registered nurse. Successful performance in this position helps ensure that children receive all required immunizations and at the appropriate time. PERSONAL CONTACTS: Contacts are typically with co-workers, government and human services agency representatives, medical providers, other Health departments, children and parents, and the general public. PURPOSE OF CONTACTS: Contacts are typically to give and exchange information, provide services, resolve problems and motivate, educate, or influence persons. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is typically performed while sitting, standing, walking or stooping. The employee occasionally lifts light and heavy objects, uses tools and equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity and must distinguish between shades of color, WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is typically performed in an office. The employee is exposed to contagious or infectious diseases. The work requires the use of protective devices such as masks or gloves, SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY: None, MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: o Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with completion of specialized training in the field of work, in addition to basic skills typically associated with a high school education and completion of an approved licensed practical nurse program. o Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of this position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having had a similar position for one to two years. o Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license issued by the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated. o Possession of license as a Practical Nurse.