Nurses are one of the most important people in the medical field. They are known for their strength and perseverance. They have a lot on their plate, so they sometimes need to delegate certain tasks. In this case, a Nurse Delegator will do that. What exactly is a Nurse Delegator? What is their purpose in the field? Why are they so important? This will be discussed in this article.
What is a Nurse Delegator?
According to the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, a Nurse Delegator will let a nurse assistant work in certain settings to perform tasks that are normally performed only by licensed nurses. A registered nurse (nurse delegator) must teach and supervise the nursing assistant and provide nursing assessments of the patient’s condition.”
In Washington State, the Nurse Delegation program is used in community-based and in-home care environments. For example, in;
- Adult family homes
- Assisted living facilities
- Private homes
- Community residential programs for individuals with developmental disabilities
How Nurse Delegation Works
The nurse delegator must consider several factors before assigning tasks. First, they have to ensure that the patient’s condition is stable and predictable; it would be risky to pass a task to an assistant if the patient’s health is constantly changing. This first step also includes reviewing the patient’s medical history and current care plan.
Next, they need to ensure that the task delegated meets the Washington Administrative Code criteria (RCW and WAC), and that their presence is not needed at all times. The caregiver or assistant nurse must be trained, certified, or registered, and they must meet the state requirements to perform the task.
Additionally, the nurse delegator is responsible for providing instructions, evaluating performance, and addressing any issues that arise, as they are accountable for the patient’s outcome.
Important Acts
In addition to their primary responsibilities, they must document assessment findings, maintain records of delegation, and update care plans as necessary. Follow-up visits should be conducted every 90 days to monitor the client’s condition, ensure their safety, and evaluate the performance of caregivers. This evaluation will help determine if any adjustments to the delegation are needed.
Tasks That Can Be Delegated
The tasks that can be delegated depend on the state’s regulations. Under the Washington State regulations, many clinical activities may be delegated:
- Oral medication administration
- Topical and inhaled medications
- Insulin injections
- Blood glucose monitoring
- G-tube feedings and simple tube care
- Non-sterile wound care and dressing changes
- Nebulizer treatments and respiratory support tasks
The procedures that are not permitted for delegation by law, because they require professional nursing judgment or specialized skill, include:
- Most injections (except insulin)
- Sterile procedures (e.g., sterile wound care)
- Central line or IV maintenance
- Any task needing clinical decision-making or that cannot be safely done by a caregiver
Conclusion: Being a Nurse delegator is not easy, but they play an important role. We love what we do and would love to help you and your family with your loved ones care CONTACT US TODAY.