Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING

Position Number:  50253109

Description Activated On:  4/7/2026 8:13:58 AM


Position Purpose:
Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. 

Under the supervision and direction of the Registered Nurse, this position delivers direct patient care using patient-centered approaches and performs other related duties as assigned.

Description of Duties:
Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor.

Nursing Process/Patient Care:

•Uses age-specific, patient-centered approaches in patient interactions
•Reports patient’s response to interventions
•Assists/supervises/instructs patients in all activities of daily living (ADLs) e.g.
bathing, shampooing/combing hair, trimming nails, oral hygiene, eating, etc.
•Performs ADLs for the patient, if patient is unable
•Assesses patients’ clothing and hygiene needs, dresses patients in clean, seasonally
appropriate clothing
•Reports changes in patients’ conditions to the Registered Nurse
•Turns or positions patients
•Escorts patients on and off grounds
•Monitors and supervises patients during program and leisure activities
•Takes and records temperature, pulse, respirations and blood pressures, weighs patients
•Uses standard precaution techniques, such as hand washing, per policy
•Assists with patient identification as needed

Special Treatment Procedures:

•Provides nursing care for the patient on high, moderate, or minimal risk suicide
precautions, special levels of observation, mechanical, physical, and protective
restraints per policy
•Responds to psychiatric emergencies, provides the patient(s) with individual
instruction, assistance, support as needed. Observes and reports changes in patient
behaviors. Utilizes therapeutic verbal techniques to address patient concerns and de-
escalate. Applies restraints to bed prior to patient placement. Provides physical
escort restraint as required/ordered.
•Provides and documents meals, fluids, toileting and exercise as needed and as outlined
in WeSH policy/procedure

Emergencies/Medical interventions/Use of Medical Equipment:

•Responds to medical emergencies, announces medical emergency, takes appropriate actions
for which specifically trained. These could include cardio-pulmonary resuscitation
(CPR), first aid, foreign body airway obstruction management, or other emergency
treatment procedures.
•Responds to disaster/emergencies, e.g., fires, earthquake, flood, hazardous materials
incidents, utility interruptions or transportation accidents; follows basic emergency
procedures as contained in WeSH policy/procedure.
•Uses appropriate equipment properly and safely; reports malfunctioning and/or inaudible
alarm systems.


Competency Maintenance Activities:

•Attends mandatory training as directed
•Attends in-services/training programs/and completes self-learning packages as required
•Identifies personal training needs

Oral and Written Communications:

•Interacts with patients/families
•Writes/prints legibly
•Documents in SOAP format and uses only approved abbreviations
•Reports/documents factual patient information
•Provides accurate and legible written work/incident related statements (as required)
•Completes patient accountability checks
•Maintains confidentiality of patient information
•Reports problems accurately using the chain of command
•Reports/documents patient incidents and employee work related accidents to the Charge
•Keeps conversations free from discriminatory, abusive or sexually harassing comments
•Attends and participates in staff, committee, and improvement team meetings as assigned
•Completes records/reports as assigned.



Assignment Completion:

•Checks Daily Assignment Sheet for work to be completed
•Seeks clarification from the Registered Nurse
•Organizes work to be done; sets priorities
•Remains alert at all times and promotes patient safety by completing assignments in
accordance with WESH and Nursing polices/procedures
•Reports difficulties to the Charge Nurse
•Participates in the nursing team effort by assisting coworkers

Patients’ Rights:

•Acts as a patient advocate
•Recognizes and protects the rights of adult and older adult patients
•Identifies, describes, and reports patient abuse allegations
•Commits NO acts of patient abuse
•Maintains confidentiality of patient and hospital information
•Promotes a safe, therapeutic environment for patients

Employee Conduct:

•Demonstrates professional conduct with coworkers/patients
•Demonstrates ethical behavior in the workplace
•Abides by the Governor’s Code of Conduct and DHS Personnel Regulations, policies and
procedures, and WESH/Nursing policies and procedures
•Adheres to scheduled work hours
•Complies with sign in/out procedures
•Maintains acceptable work attendance
•Adheres to established procedures for reporting off work in accordance with mandated
time frames
•Has no unexcused instance of failure to contact the immediate supervisor or designee to
notify him/her of absence
•Provides proper documentation of sick leave and enters Request for Leave in ESS on the
first day of work following the absence as required by established policy. If not
produced on date of return for a valid reason, a firm date when it will be produced
must be established and follow-up action taken accordingly. (Reference DHS Manual
Section 7173.3b.2.a)
•Establishes a record of prudent/sensible paid leave use which does not show evidence of
any discernible pattern or documented instance of failure to comply with Section 7173,
Controlling Absenteeism, Time and Sick Leave Abuse
•Reports all work-related accidents
•Complies with leave/time request procedures

Performs Other Related Duties as Assigned

Decision Making:
Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature.

Patient care decisions are made only in consultation with the supervisor or team director. Assignment conflicts are resolved by the supervisor.

Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License

Experience:



Licenses, registrations, or certifications:

1. 
  N/A
 
2.  
N/A
 
3.  
N/A
 
4.  

 
5.  

 
6.  


Essential Functions
: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
 
 1. Work overtime as required, subject to emergency call ins.
 2. Obtains and maintains crisis intervention and CPR certifications and utilizes appropriate skills. Responds appropriately to emergency situations.
 3. Reads, writes, and communicates orally in English.
 4. Provides routine physical patient care, positions/lifts patients.
 5. Interacts with patients, acts as a patient advocate.
 6. Observes/reports patient's behavior, documents in the medical record.
 7. Operates necessary equipment.
 8. Participates in active treatment groups.
 9. Serves on nursing and hospital wide committees.
 10. Promotes a safe environment.