Delegation Flashcards
Delegation
Getting work done through others or as directing the performance of one or more people to accomplish organizational goals
Not an assignment
Assignment
involves distributing work to a qualified person or persons for implementation of a specific activity or set of activities within their job description
Delegation v Assignment
Delegation - the individual transfers the authority to perform a specific activity from their own practice to an individual qualified to perform the task BUT retains accountability for the delegated task
Assigning - act of handing over a patient to someone else while delegating is handing over a task
The mark of a great leader is when he/she can…
recognize the excellent performance of someone else and allow others to shine for their accomplishments
5 Rights of Delegation
Right Task
Right Circumstances
Right Person
Right Direction/Communication
Right Level of Supervision
Strategies for Successful Delegation
Identify necessary skill and education levels to complete the delegated task.
Plan ahead.
Select and empower capable personnel.
Communicate goals clearly.
Empower the delegate.
Set deadlines and monitor progress.
Monitor the role and provide guidance.
Evaluate performance.
Reward accomplishment.
In NYS an LPN cannot do what independently
perform patient assessments independently
develop a nursing care plan
administer IV Chemotherapy
give any medications by direct IV push
Delegate when
before you become overwhelmed
While you remain responsible for delivering the results of the tasks you delegate, what can demoralize the employee
excessive supervision
Leaders are often measured by …
the successes of those on their teams
The number one reason employees leave is…
because they feel underappreciated
What is a reflection of the legitimate authority inherent in the management role
the right to delegate and the ability to provide formal rewards for successful completion of delegated tasks
Is Delegation intuitive
no its a critical leadership skill that must be learned
Breach of Duty
failure to meet the expected standard of care
Delegation errors increase the risk of…
patient harm and being sued for malpractice
3 Common Delegation Errors
Underdelegating
Overdelegating
Improper Delegating
What is the cause of Underdelegating
stems from individuals false assumption that delegation may be interpreted as a lack of ability on his/her part to do the job correctly or completely - OR - it can come from the delegator not having enough time to delegate (such as explaining the task for teaching skills)
It will likely be unnerving (as least at first) to allow a team member to complete a task for which you are ultimately responsible - but it will not limit your control prestige or power but rather extend it
The time issue is paradoxical because delegation actually saves time
Overdelegating Causes
poor managers of time, spending most of it trying to get organized
potentially because someone feels insecure in their ability to perform a task
Underdelegating overburdens the ____; Overdelegating overburdens the ____
manager; subordinate
Staff should always have the right to do what when it comes to delegation
right to refuse
What may be a sign you have delegated too much, and left employees feeling abandoned or unmotivated
if you find yourself often miscommunicating with your team on deliverables, hearing about issues at the last minute, and misunderstanding how your team set up their priorities
Improper Delegation
Includes things like delegating at the wrong time, to the wrong person, or for the wrong reason
Also includes delegating without providing adequate info - if the manager needs more quality than satisficing it must be made clear
What sort of requirements are needed for the increased need for delegation nowadays that will prevent an unsafe work environment as a result
clearly defined structure where RNs are recognized as leaders of the health care team
job descriptions that clearly define the roles and responsibilities of all workers
education programs that help personnel learn the roles and responsibilities of coworkers
training programs that foster the development of leadership and delegation skills
The RN, while trained well in the role of direct care provider, may not be;…
prepared for the role of delegator
Nurses must believe they can delegate without fearing…
that they will be perceived as lazy or incompetent
In delegation, responsibility for a task can be transferred from the licensed personnel to NAP, but
accountability is shared by both
What does not exist for the NAP
no license to lose for exceeding scope of practice
no nationally established standards for scope of practice
Common Tasks Generally Considered Appropriate for Delegation to NAP (Nursing Assistive Personnel)
Noninvasive and nonsterile treatments
Collecting, reporting, and documenting data including, but not limited to, vital signs, height, weight, intake and output, and capillary blood and urine tests
Ambulation, positioning, turning
Transportation of a client within a facility
Personal hygiene, elimination, including vaginal irrigations and cleansing enemas
Feeding, cutting up of food, placing of meal trays
Socialization activities
Activities of daily living
Criteria for Delegation to an Unlicensed Assistive Personnel/ NAP
The North Carolina Board of Nursing (2014) suggests that tasks may be delegated to nursing assistive personnel only if they meet all of the following criteria:
- Frequently recur in the daily care of a client or group of clients
- Are performed according to an established (standardized) sequence of steps
- Involve little or no modification from one client-care situation to another
- May be performed with a predictable outcome
- Do not inherently involve ongoing assessment, interpretation, or decision making which cannot be logically separated from the procedure(s) itself
- Do not endanger the health or well-being of clients
- Are allowed by agency policy/procedures
