JOB DESCRIPTION OF NURSING PERSONNEL IN HOSPITAL

INTRODUCTION
There is a need for job descriptions, because it is learnt through some
studies that the most workers function in a mechanical fashion and are not
conscious of the role assignment to them. It has been commented that lack of
knowledge of one’s job and functions and that of other team members is one of the
reasons for many problems in the functioning of the health team (Delta 1978).
According to one study; the medical
officers interviewed and observed were not clear
about their own duties and responsibilities
(Ramachandran 1980). It is fact that many
persons who are expected to perform certain role
according to their job show some deficiencies in
it. Thus it is imperative that the role of each
category of health manpower should be clarified
through providing written job description, training
and through participative approach.

TERMINOLOGIES
 Standing Instructions: Orders, Rules, Regulations or procedures prepared
by the professional staff.
 Sophisticated: Discriminating in taste and judgment.
 Authorities: The power or right to enforce obedience, an expert in a subject.
 Quantum: A required or allowed amount.
 Jurisdiction: The administration of justice, a legal or other authority.
 Recruit: A service man or a service woman newly enlisted and not yet fully
trained, a new member of a society.
 Condemn: Find guilty
 Disburse: Expend money, Defray a cost.
 Cordial relations: Heartfelt, sincere, warm, friendly.
 Scrutiny applications: A close investigations or examination of details.
VARIOUS CATEGORY OF NURSING PERSONNEL
A. Staff Nurse
1. Staff Nurse
2. Senior Staff Nurse
B. Nursing Superintendent Grade II
C. Nursing Superintendent Grade I
D. Nursing Tutor and Clinical Instructors
1. Nursing Tutor in School of Nursing
2. Clinical Instructor in College of Nursing
E. Principal, School of Nursing/College of Nursing
1. Principal, School of General Nursing/Midwifery or Psychiatry
2. Principal, College of Nursing
F. Lecturer, College of Nursing
1. Lecturer, College of Nursing
G. Professor, College of Nursing
1. Professor, College of Nursing
2. Assistant Professor, College of Nursing
H. Joint Director of Nursing/Deputy Director of Nursing/Assistant Director of
Nursing
1. Joint Director of Nursing/Deputy Director of Nursing/Assistant Director of
Nursing
I. Public Health Nurse-District Family Welfare Bureau.
A. Staff Nurse
1. Staff Nurse , Title: Staff Nurse
Educational Qualifications
a. General preuniversity course/ 10+2 or equivalent exam.
b. Professional: 3 years General Nursing/9 months/6 months
Midwifery/Psychiatric Nursing Diploma/Certificate, recognized by Indian
Nursing Council. Or Revised General Nursing and Midwifery/Psychiatric
nursing diploma/Certificate Recognized by Indian Nursing Council. Or Basic
B.Sc. Nursing from a recognized University according to Indian Nursing
council norms.
c. Registration: Registered with the Karnataka State Nursing Council/Indian
Nursing Council (INC)/Respective State Nursing Councils.
Standard Norms and Inc (Nurse – Patient Ratio)
a. General Wards
 1:3 (Hospital attached with school or college of nursing)
 1:5 (Hospital and attached with school or college of nursing)
b. ICU, ICCU and other specialty 1:1 for 24 hours.
c. Labor room 4 in each shift.
d. Operation Theater 3 for 24 hours/ table
e. Outpatient Department 1 in each clinic room of the OPD
f. Casualty and emergency 1:1 in each shift
g. Pediatric unit 1:2 beds
h. And 30% leave reserve post of staff nurses should be maintained
Job Summary
Staff Nurse is a first level professional nurse who provides direct patient care to
one patient or group of patients assigned to her/ him during duty shift and assist in
management of wards/units/special departments. She/ he is directly responsible to
Senior Staff Nurse or ward in charge nurse/ Nursing Superintendent Grade II.
  Duties and Responsibilities
Direct Patient Care
a. Carry out the procedures of admission and discharge of the patient.
b. Makes beds of serious patients and helps or guide students or Group “D”
employees to make beds, by supplying linen.
c. Maintains personal hygiene and comforts of the patient.
d. Attends to the nutritional needs of the patient and feeds the helpless patients.
e. Maintains clean and safe environment for the patient.
f. Implements and maintains ward
policies and routines.
g. Coordinate patient care with other
team members.
h. Take round with the doctors when
called to list new orders and see that
they are carried out.
i. Performs various technical task
related to nursing care.
a. Administration of medication, i.e.
tablets, injections, infusions and transfusion on prescription or according to
standing instructions.
b. Assisting doctors in various medical and surgical diagnostic procedures by
preparing patients and getting ready with required things.
c. Performing simple diagnostic procedures, viz.urine analysis hemoglobin
percent, etc.
d. Collecting and sending of specimens for laboratory diagnostic procedures.
e. Recording of vital signs, ie.temperature, pulse, respiration and blood
pressure.
f. Performing gastric lavage, giving enema, etc.
 g. Prepares patient for operation and see that he or she is send to operation
theatre with all necessary papers and medications.
h. Takes care of eyes, ears, back, bowel, bladder, perineum, and breast, etc,
whenever needed.
i. Observers all patients conditions and take suitable actions accordingly and
/or reports changes to ward in charge and /or doctor.
j. Give expert bedside nursing to all patients.
k. Attends last officers in case of a patient dying during shifts and arrange to
preserve dead body in mortuary, or hand over the body with respect to
concern family members/relatives/authorities.
 Ward/Unit Management
a. Helps the ward in charge to carry out her/his work or act as ward in charge
during their absence.
b. Maintains general cleanliness of the ward and the sanitary annexure.
c. Supervise the duties of Group “D” employees and guides them and reports
accordingly.
d. Writes the diet register and supervises the distribution of diet and report if any,
necessary.
e. Maintains scheduled poisonous drug registers.
f. Supervises nursing care and other tasks carried
out by the students.
g. Maintains duly room trays, sterilizes instruments
and see that procedural trays are in readiness.
h. Take over from duty nurse of the previous, new
and serious patients, instruments, supplies, drugs
etc. and handover the same accordingly.
i. Maintains all the records pertaining to
ward/unit.
 Maintains case papers, investigation reports,
etc.
  Maintains vital signs charts, intake output charts and other special charts, if
necessary.
 Takes special care of medico legal case papers and records.
 Writes day and night orders and maintains ward statistics.

 Operation Theater Management

a. Maintains aseptic environment of the operation theater.
b. Autoclaving of articles, instruments, gloves, linen etc. required for various
types of surgery.
c. Receives patients from the ward intact for surgery.
d. Prepares anesthetic trolley and trolley for surgery, according to type and
procedures.
e. Assist the surgeon and anesthetist in every step, skillfully while performing
various types of surgery.
f. Indenting and procuring surgical instruments, drugs, gloves, sulfuring materials
and O2, N2, CO2 etc. required for Operation Theater.
g. Maintains safety of the Boyle’s apparatus, oxygen cylinder, nitrogen cylinder,
anesthetic drugs and autoclave, etc in the operation theater.
Management of Labor Room
a. Preparation of expectant mother for aseptic safe delivery.
b. Conducts normal deliveries and reports.
c. Attend and assists the doctors in all obstetrical emergencies.
d. Attend and assists in difficult and abnormal deliveries.
e. Takes care of the newborn and premature babies.
f. Maintains records and reports pertaining to labor room.
g. Indent and procure necessary drugs, supplies linen, etc. to labor room.
 Management of Postoperative/ICU/Burns Units
a. Indent and procurement of all the necessary equipments, drugs, oxygen
cylinder, which are required for the units.
b. Operates ECG, EEG, cardiac resuscitation, etc or other sophisticated high
technical machines whenever needed or assist the doctors in operating such
machine.
 Psychiatric Unit
a. Assists the doctors in admission and discharge of patients.
b. Prepares patient for ECT and other procedures, and therapies.
c. Assists in management of aggressive, suicidal as grief as other symptoms of the
patient.
d. Maintains records and reports of the units.
 Educational Function
a. Helps in orientation of new staff and students.
b. Teachers and guides the domestic staff (Group D) for handling bedpans, urinals,
etc.
c. Carries out health teaching for individual or group of patients.
d. Extends cooperation and participates in clinical teaching.
e. Provides for and demonstrates methods and procedure whenever needed.
f. Participates in in-service education programs.
g. Plans and implements formal and informal health education program and
teaching program.
h. Assists and extends cooperation in medical and nursing research program.
2. Senior Staff Nurse, Title: Senior Staff Nurse
Educational Qualifications
a. General: As prescribed for staff nurse.
b. Professional : As prescribed for staff nurse
c. Registration: Registered with Karnataka Nursing Council/ Indian Nursing
Council.
d. Experience: Should have experience as staff nurse of not less than 5 years.
 Standard Norms
Since it is a first level nursing supervisory role which needs at least one senior staff
nurse for the staff nurse (1:5).
Job Summary
Senior staff nurse is a first level nursing supervisor who is accountable for nursing
care management of a ward or a unit assigned to her/him. She/he is responsible to
the Nursing Superintendent Grade II for her/his ward/unit management. She or he
takes full charge of the ward and assigns work for various categories of nursing
and non nursing personnel working with her/ him. She or he is responsible for
safety and comforts of the patients in her/his ward.
Direct Patient Care
a. Ensure proper admission, discharge of patients.
b. Plans nursing care and make patients assignments as per their nursing needs.
c. Assists in the direct care/ provides direct care to patients as and when required.
d. She/he sees that total health needs of his/her patients as met.
e. Ensures safety, comfort and good personal hygiene of her/his patient.
f. Assists in planning and administration of the therapeutic diet to his/her/patient.
g. Ensures the helpless patients are regularly fed as per direction.
h. Ensures that proper observation records of the patients are made and necessary
information imparted to the concerned authorities.
i. Takes nursing rounds with staffs and students.
j. Makes rounds with doctors, assisting them in diagnosing and treatment of
patients.
k. Implements doctors instructions concerning patient treatment.
l. Assists patient and his/her relatives to adjust in the hospital and its routine.
m. Coordinates patient care with other departments.

Supervision and Administration

 Ensures sale and clean environment for the ward/Unit/Special department.
 Makes duty and works assignment.
 Identifying and procurement of ward supplies and equipments and keep records.
 Does regular inventory checking of his/her ward/unit.
 Makes list for condemnation of articles and submits it to all the concerned.
 Assists in making ward requirement.
 Establishes and reinforces standards prescribed in the procedures and manuals
of hospital and policies that are in force.
 Acts as liaison officer between ward staff and
hospital administration.
 Maintains good public relations in her/his
ward/unit.
 Ensures that ward statistics are regularly
submitted.
 Maintains discipline among the personnel
working in the particular ward/unit, e.g. staff
nurses, students and domestic staffs.
 Deals appropriately with any adverse situation
that occurs in the ward/unit and report to the
concerned authorities.
 Reports about any medico legal cases in the ward/unit.
 Writers and submit confidential reports of the staff (it is not in force but should
be).
 Ensures that students get desired learning experience in the ward/ unit.

Educational Function
 Organizes orientation programs for new staff.
 Organizes formal and informal ward teaching, conducts beside clinics and
demonstration, etc.
 Conducts ward conferences/meetings.
 Gives incidental teaching to patient, relatives, staff nurses, students and the
domestic staff.
 Guides in formulation of nursing care studies, and nursing care plans etc.
 Evaluates the student’s performances and submit reports to the school
authorities.
 Helps in medical and nursing research.
 Encourages staff development program in her/ his ward/unit.

B. Nursing Superintendent Grade II, Nursing Superintendent Grade

II
Title: Nursing Superintendent Grade II
Educational Qualifications
 General education: As prescribed for staff nurse.
 Professional education: As prescribed for staff nurse.
 Registration: As prescribed for staff nurse, registered with Karnataka Nursing
Council/INC ISNC (State Nursing Council)
 Experience: Should have experience as senior staff nurse.
Standard Norms
Since it is the second level nursing supervisory role, it needs at least the nursing
superintendent Grade II for three senior staff nurses (1:3).
Job Summary
She/ he is responsible for developing and supervising nursing services of a
department or a floor consisting of two or more wards or units managed by the
senior staff nurses. These units may be in patient wards, outpatient department
clinics, operation theaters, obstetric units, central supply department, etc she/he is
responsible to the nursing superintendent Grade I.

Patient Care and Ward/Unit Management

a. Organizes and plans nursing care activities of the department of floor according
to the hospital polices and service needs.
b. Plans staffing pattern and the other necessary requirements of her/his
department.
c. Complies and submits nursing statistics to the concerned authorities.
d. Conducts and attends to the departmental and interdepartmental
meetings/conferences time to time.
e. Make regular rounds of her/his department.
f. Ensures to the safety and general dealings of the department.
g. Looks into general comforts of the patient and his/her relatives.
h. Receives report from the night supervisor of her/his departments.
i. Evaluates nature and quantum of care required in each unit/ward.
j. Makes rotation plan for the nursing staff and domestic staff under her/his
jurisdiction.
k. Plans ward management with the each ward/unit.
l. Reinforces the principles of good ward management in ward.
m. Helps ward/unit supervisors to procure their ward/unit.
n. Supervise the proper use and care of the equipment and supplies in the
department.
o. Acts as the public relation officer of the units and deals with the problems faced
by the supervisor if any, especially with group “D” employee’s patient’s
attenders.
p. Keeps the Nursing Superintendent Grade I and office informed of the needs of
the nursing wards under her/his charge and of any special problem/problems.
q. Officiates in the absence of nursing superintendent Grade I.
Educational Function
a. Arranges classes and clinical teaching of nursing students in the departments,
related to the specially experience.
b. Implements the ward teaching program and clinical experience of the students
with the help of doctors and nurses.
c. Does counseling and guidance of staff and students.
d. Arranges and conducts staff development programs of her/his department.
e. Assists in planning for and participation in the training of auxiliary personnel.
General
a. Escorts nursing superintend Grade I, Medical Superintendent and special
visitors for hospital rounds.
b. Arranges and participates in professional and social function of staff and
students.
c. Acts as a liaison officer between the nursing department and higher hospital
authorities.
d. Carries out any other duties delegated by the Nursing Superintendent Grade I.
C. Nursing Superintendent Grade I, Title: Nursing Superintendent
Grade I
Educational Qualifications
a. General: As prescribed for staff nurse.
b. Professional: As prescribed for staff nurse
c. Registration: As prescribed for staff nurse.
d. Experience: Should have experience as nursing superintendent Grade II.
Standard Norms
There should be one nursing superintendent Grade I for 200 bedded hospital, one
nursing superintendent Grade I for 2 to 4 nursing superintendent Grade II.
Job Summary
Nursing superintendent is responsible to the medical superintendent, in a hospital
having 200 or above bed strength. She is accountable for the safe and efficient
running of the various nursing departments in the hospital. She is assisted in
carrying out her duties by the Deputy Nursing Superintendent/ Assistant Nursing
Superintendent, ward supervisors and clerical, linen room and domestic staff.
Nursing Services
1. Participates in the formulation of the philosophy of the hospital in general and
those specific to the nursing service.
2. Determines goals, aims, objectives and policies of the nursing services.
3. Implements hospital policies and rules through various nursing units.
4. Decides and recommends personnel and materials requirement for running
various nursing services departments of the hospital.
5. Interviews and recruits nursing staff.
6. Assists in student’s selection and recruitment of other auxiliary staff whose
duties are related to nursing.
7. Ensures the safe and efficient care rendered in the various nursing departments
of the hospital.
8. Makes regular visits in hospitals and wards.
9. Checks if standard of care is maintained and patients are nursed in a clean,
orderly and safe environment.
10.Takes hospital rounds with Medical Superintendent.
11.Selects and secures proper equipment needed for the hospital of nursing home.
12.Looks after the welfare of the patients, their relatives and the nursing staff.
13.Prepares budgets for the nursing services department.
14.Functions as the members of the condemnation board for linen and other
hospital or nursing home equipments.
15.Prepares duly roster, plans staff leave and disburses salary.
16.Gives counseling and guidance to the subordinate staff.
17.Maintains discipline among nurses and other auxiliary staff.
18.Enforces implementation of the hospital rules, regulations and policies.
19.Participates in hospital and interhospital meetings/ conferences.
20.Investigates complaints and takes necessary steps.
21.Evaluates confidential staff reports and recommends for promotion of higher
studies.
22.Plans staff development program and arranges for in-service education and
orientation programs, etc.
23.Inspects hospital kitchen and dietary services of the hospital.
24.Arranges student’s clinical experience and councils examinations.
25.Imitates and participates in nursing research.
26.Supervision, guidance and control of group “D” employees of the hospital.
General and Office Duties
 Attends to general correspondence.
 Maintains necessary records concerning the nursing staff, students, confidential
reports and health records, etc.
 Submits annual reports of the nursing service departments of Medical
Superintendent, India Nursing Council and Nurses Registration Council.
 Participates in professional and community activities.
 Maintains, cordial relations with public and voluntary.
 NURSING PERSONNEL IN NURSING EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS
Director of nursing education
Educational Qualifications:

• General: As prescribed for staff nurse

• Professional: M.Sc. or equivalent degree from any INC recognized institute •

Registration: registered with state nursing council.

• Experience: at least 10 years of experience among which 5 years should be in

administration and education.

Roles and responsibilities

• She functions as the head of nursing services under the directorate of health and
family welfare and Director of Medical Education. He/ She should be responsible
for all activities concerned activities concerned and improvements in the nursing
services.

• She is mainly responsible for: leave, Transfer of nursing personnel, transfer of

student nurses with consultation with the nursing superintendent.

• Promotions and postings

• Review of confidential reports

• Correspondence with the government and non-government organizations

• Educational programmers

• Proposals to Government

• Inspections

• Representation the interest of the nurses to various health committees.

• Participation in health care planning

• Sending the nurses on deputation for Post basic and M.Sc. Nursing courses.
• Sanction pre audit bills

• Granting permission for workshops

• NOCs

• Administrative work pertaining to nursing personnel.

Principal, College of Nursing

• General: As prescribed for staff nurse

• Professional: M.Sc. Nursing or equivalent degree, PHD in nursing or other

equivalent doctoral degree.

• Registration: Registered to any state nursing council.

• Experience: not less than 5 years teaching experience in a college of nursing.

Role and functions of Principal

• Administrative and Implementation and revision of various curricular activities

and research activities in the College of Nursing. Roles and responsibilities of
principal Administer action Organization of Staff development and welfare
Coordination Supervising Instruction Guidance

• Administration: • Planning, Developing the philosophy and the objectives of

the educational institution

• Identifying present needs related to educational programmers

• Investigating, evaluating and securing resources

• Formulating the plan of action

• Selecting and organizing learning experience.

• Organizational: Determining the number of positions • jobs to be done based on

the needs of the educational programmer
• Job description, indicating the line of authority, delineating the responsibilities
and the channels of communication.

• Delegating authority commensuration with responsibility.

• Plan of work load.

• Organizational framework.

• Staff development and welfare activities

• Recommending promotions.

• Directing activities of staff working under him or her.

• Guiding and encouraging

• Consistently making administrative decisions based on established policies and

conventions

• Orientation

• Opportunities for the staff development programs and encouraging their

contribution.

• Promoting staff participation in research.

• Coordination:

• Cooperation.

• Coordinating the regular meetings, time schedules and effective communication.

• Interpreting the nursing education to other related disciplines and to the general
public.

• Supervisory role: •ensuring the continuous follow up and revision of the

educational programs.

• maintaining the comprehensive system of records

• Maintaining recognition by various accrediting bodies like INC, University, State

nursing council.
• Preparing and securing the budget.

• Preparing the periodic reports and issues of the ongoing programme.

• Presenting plans for continuous development • Instruction:

• Planning to participate in the further staff developmental programs.

• Participating as teacher in the educational programme.

• Recognizing the needs for continuing education for self and staff providing the
stimulation of such opportunities for such development.

• Guidance: • Providing and maintain a programme for the recruitment, selection,

and promotion of students.

• Providing for systematic guidance programs, for staff members for staff
members and students.

• Encouraging studies, research and writing for publication.

Professor, College of Nursing

• Educational Qualification:
• General: as prescribed or staff nurse

• Professional: M.Sc. Nursing or equivalent degree in nursing as recognized by

the INC. PhD in Nursing with any specialty or other equivalent doctoral degree in
nursing.

• Registration: Registered with the state nursing council or INC.

• Experience: should have not less than 5 year experience in college of

•Role and functions:

• He/she works under the departmental heads and assists him/her in the guidance of
the students.
 • Instructions: Identifies the needs of the learners in terms of the programmer by
utilizing the records of the previous experience, personal interviews tests and
observation.

• Assists the learners in the identification of their needs

• Participate in the formulation and implementation of the philosophies and

objectives of the posting.

• Selects and organizes the learning experiences.

• Participates in the evaluation of the curriculum.

• Plans along with the educational unit with nursing services an allied groups.

• Ascertains, selects and organizes facilities, equipment and materials necessary for
learning

• Assists the learners in the problem solving process.

• Measures and describes the quality of performance objectively.

• Maintains and uses adequate and accurate records.

• Prepares clear and concise reports.

• Shares information with the learners need and achievements with others
concerned.

• Measures effectiveness of instruction by use of appropriate devices.

• Increases knowledge and skill in his/her own curriculum

• Devices teaching methods appropriate to objectives and content.

• Guidance and counseling:

• Gives guidance within own field of competence.

• Help the learner to grow in self understanding

• Research: Assists in initiating and participating in studies for the improvement of

the educational programs
• Identifies the problems in which research is potentially indicated.

• Makes data available regarding the learners, the methods of teaching and
evaluation.

• Continues to develop competence in the problem solving process.

• Utilizes findings of research.

Nursing tutors/ Clinical Instructors

• Educational qualification:

• General: as prescribed for staff nurse

• Professional: B.Sc. Nursing (postgraduate) or M.Sc. Nursing or equivalent.

• Registration: registered with the state nursing council

• Experience: as experienced as staff nurse.

• Standard norms: As per INC guidelines

Role and functions:

• He/ she is a teacher in the nursing school or college, accountable to the principal
or vice principal.

• He/she is responsible for the planning and the implementation of the teaching
programs, and assisting in the general administration.

• Academic function: Planning of the teaching curriculum

• Overall supervision of clinical teaching programs of those subjects which come

under the hospital and the community health setting

• Maintains the class room equipment supplies and the teaching aids

• Conducts tests and evaluates the student performances

• Prepares teaching material and implements them under guidance of other teachers
• Helps students with their extracurricular activities
• Administration and evaluation: Assisting in the administration of the school of
nursing

• Supervising the students health welfare and security

• Assisting in the selection of students in the overall administration.

• Assisting in the examinations and tests

• Supervising living conditions in the hostel.

• Assisting teaching and other categories of personnel in the hospital or

community.

• Assisting in the procurement of the school supplies and the equipment

• Assisting in the library work

• Assisting in maintaining the school records and registers

 Bibliography:
• Nursing services , a report on a WHO symposioum.Copenhagen, 1978.

• TNAI. Nursing services administration and management,1st ed,TNAI,New Delhi,

2000 Pp-135-67

• I. Clement. Management of nursing services and Education.1st ed. Elsvier

publication; NweDelhi, 2011:Pp247-50

• Basavanthapa BT.Nursing administration.3rd ed. Jaypee brothers; New Delhi;

s2014: Pp-350.

• Yoder wise, Patricia S. Leading and managing in nursing .3rd ed. Mosby st
Louis, 2003, p.233.