State of Maryland

A Practical Nursing Technician is the entry of work providing direct patient care to patients and clients in State facilities under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse or a Licensed Practical Nurse.  Employees in this classification may perform some practical nursing functions when delegated by the Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive close supervision from a Registered Nurse or a Licensed Practical Nurse III.  Employees are assigned to day, evening, night or rotating shifts.  Employees are subject to call-in during emergencies and staffing shortages.  Employees are required to observe infection control precautions in order to prevent contamination and spread of disease.  The work may require the lifting and positioning of non‑ambulatory patients and the lifting of wheelchairs and other heavy equipment.  The work may require long periods of standing, walking, bending and reaching.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Practical Nursing Technician is differentiated from the Licensed Practical Nurse I in that the Practical Nursing Technician performs direct patient care duties under close supervision of a Licensed Practical Nurse or a Registered Nurse while the Licensed Practical Nurse I performs practical nursing duties under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times depending on the complexity of the specific duty being performed.

Provides direct patient care under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse;

Observes and documents patient behavior and changes in treatment needs;

Takes and records vital signs; Obtains specimens for laboratory examination;

Perform other related duties.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of practical nursing;

Knowledge of the theory of practical nursing practice;

Ability to maintain sterility of equipment and utilize aseptic technique;

Ability to provide health education counseling to patients;

Ability to observe patients;

Ability to carry out emergency and routine procedures for the protection and safety of patients, staff and the public;

Ability to work effectively with patients, professional and nonprofessional workers and the general public.

Education:   Graduation from an approved school of practical nursing.

Experience: None.

1. Candidates for positions in this classification must be approved by the State Board of Nursing to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination - Practical Nurse (NCLEX - PN) for the first time, or are currently waiting for receipt of first examination results.

2. Employees in this classification may be required to successfully complete training and maintain current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

3. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland, and their driving records will be subject to investigation.

1. Employees in this classification must, within a six month period, take and pass on first examination the NCLEX Practical Nurse Examination. Employees that do not meet this requirement will not be retained in these positions.

2. Applicants for this classification may be given a medical examination prior to appointment to determine their ability to perform the work of the position.

3. Employees in this classification may be required to provide the facility with a telephone number at which they can be reached.

4. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 06.01.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit D- Health and Human Service Nonprofessionals classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.   An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.