Duties of professional titles in nursing care in Vietnam

Duties of professional titles in nursing care in Vietnam (Internet image)

1. What is nursing care?

According to Clause 1, Article 2 of Circular 31/2021/TT-BYT, nursing care is the identification, care intervention, and monitoring necessary to meet the basic needs of each patient in terms of:

- Respiratory;

- Cyclic;

- Nutrition;

- Excrete;

- Movement and posture;

- Sleep and rest;

- Wearing and changing cloth clothes;

- Body temperature;

- Personal hygiene;

- Safe environment;

- Communicate;

- Beliefs;

- Activities and entertainment;

- Health protection knowledge.

2. Duties of professional titles in nursing care in Vietnam

Duties of professional titles in nursing care according to Articles 9 to 19 of Circular 31/2021/TT-BYT are as follows:

2.1. Organization and duties of the Nursing Council in Vietnam

- The Nursing Council is established by the hospital's director, and stipulates its tasks and operating regulations.

- Structure and composition of the Council:

+ The Chairman of the Council is the leader of the hospital;

Vice Chairman of the Council:

++ The Vice-Chairman of the Council is the deputy head of the nursing and nursing department in the nursing room;

++ The Vice Chairman of the Standing Council is the head of the nursing department.

+ Members of the Council are the head nurse, the department head midwife, the chief medical technician, and the leading representative of a number of clinical, paraclinical, and functional departments; ensure that over 50% of council members are nurses and midwives.

- Mission:

+ Advise the hospital's director on strategies, orientations, and plans to develop nursing, midwifery, and midwifery care support annually and periodically;

+ Advise the hospital director in amending and updating regulations and guidelines; professional and technical processes, and professional documents for nurses, midwives, and care assistants in accordance with the general development of the hospital and of each specialty.

2.2. Duties of the nursing department in Vietnam

- Developing, organizing, and implementing operation plans, instructions, regulations, professional and technical processes, and documents related to nursing activities:

+ Assume the prime responsibility for developing and organizing the implementation of nursing operation plans, regulations, professional and technical processes, and documents related to the nursing activities of the hospital;

+ Develop the care models at point b, clause 3, Article 6 of Circular 31/2021/TT-BYT suitable to the hospital's resources and organizational structure.

- Executive management expertise:

+ Organize, inspect, and supervise the implementation of prescribed nursing activities;

Periodically review, summarize, and report on the results of nursing activities as prescribed.

- HRM:

+ Coordinate with related departments and divisions to develop recruitment plans, propose recruitment, arrange and dispatch nurses, midwives, medical technicians, and nursing assistants of the hospital;

+ Develop job descriptions for members of the nursing department, head nurse, department head midwife, chief medical technician, nurse, midwife, medical technician, and care assistant according to the provisions of Circular 31/2021/TT-BYT and Joint Circular 26/2015/TTLT-BYT-BNV;

+ Participate in the development of evaluation criteria and be responsible for the annual and pre-employment assessment of nursing capacity;

+ Participate in the proposal for the appointment and dismissal of the positions of head nurse, head midwife, and chief medical technician;

+ Participate in proposing to reward and discipline individuals and groups of nurses, midwives, medical technicians, and care assistants for achievements or violations according to regulations.

- Training and scientific research:

+ Research and surveying to find out what needs to be improved in the management and organization of nursing activities in the hospital;

+ Regularly evaluate, propose, and test solutions to improve the quality of nursing activities in the hospital;

+ Participate in planning and implementing training to improve nursing capacity at lower levels;

+ Propose the participation in learning to improve professional qualifications, upgrading exams of nurses, midwives, and medical technicians according to regulations;

+ Develop plans, programs, documents, and implement new training, including continuous training; organize surveys, evaluate and detect points for improvement in training;

+ Organize the implementation of scientific research activities, improve the quality of care, and practice evidence-based care to improve the quality of patient care.

- Participating in the procurement of equipment, means, supplies, drugs, and chemicals related to nursing activities, quality supervision and inspection of use and preservation according to regulations.

- Performing other duties as assigned by the hospital director.

2.3. Duties of the Chief of Nursing in Vietnam

- Performing general duties of the department head.

- Advising the hospital director on nursing activities in the hospital.

- Developing, organizing, and implementing the operation plan of the nursing room and periodically reviewing, summarizing, and reporting on it according to regulations.

- Checking and requesting that the departments, wards, medical staff, students, patients, relatives, and visitors strictly comply with regulations on nursing activities in the hospital.

- Organizing and chairing regular and ad hoc head nurse meetings. 

- Coordinating with related departments and departments to submit a request to the director to temporarily dispatch nurses and assistants to assist with care when needed according to hospital regulations to promptly care for and serve patients.

- Joining the infection control council, other councils as prescribed and assigned by the hospital director.

- Performing other duties as assigned by the hospital director.

2.4. Duties of a nurse in a nursing room in Vietnam

- Performing appropriate professional duties as assigned by the Head of Nursing Department.

- Organizing the inspection and supervision of the performance of professional nursing care tasks specified in Circular 31/2021/TT-BYT at the assigned units.

- Participating in human resource management, training, scientific research, and the quality improvement of nursing care as assigned.

- Participating in the development and implementation of operational plans, guidelines, regulations, professional and technical processes, and documents related to the nursing activities of the hospital.

- Participating in councils and operating networks in the hospital as assigned.

- Periodically reviewing, summarizing, and reporting on the performance of assigned tasks as prescribed.

2.5. Duties of the Head Nurse in Vietnam

- Taking responsibility, with the Dean and Head of Nursing Department for nursing activities in the department.

- Planning and organizing the implementation of the nursing activity plan at the department.

- Developing job position descriptions and assigning duties of nurses, care assistants, and other positions under the direction of the dean.

- Patient management: number, condition, progress, indications for treatment and care to promptly assign and coordinate human resources to perform nursing care.

- Participating in daily room visits with faculty leaders.

- Organizing and chairing regular and ad hoc nursing meetings and meetings of patients and their families when necessary.

- Managing, training, and developing the nursing human resources in the department.

- Proposing the need for recruitment, transfer, and training of nurses, midwives, medical technicians, and nursing assistants in the department.

- Participating in scientific research, quality improvement, and line direction as assigned.

- Participating in and directly taking care of patients when needed.

- Participating in the proposal to supply, repair, and maintain infrastructure, equipment, vehicles, drugs, supplies, and chemicals for patient care and use supervision at the department; monitoring use and storage according to regulations.

- Supervising, examining, and evaluating the implementation of nursing work plans at the department and improving the quality of nursing care.

- Periodically reviewing, summarizing, and reporting on nursing activities in the department.

- Commenting, proposing reward, discipline, a salary increase, and study for nurses, nursing assistants in the department.

- Performing other duties as assigned by the Dean and Head of Nursing Department.

2.6. Duties of the clinical nurse in Vietnam

- Performing appropriate professional duties as assigned by the Dean and the Dean of the Faculty as prescribed in Circular 31/2021/TT-BYT and Joint Circular 26/2015/TTLT-BYT-BNV.

- Strictly complying with regulations, professional and technical procedures, professional ethical standards, and relevant laws in nursing care.

Conducting or applying the results of scientific research and evidence-based practice to improve the quality of care.

- Conducting training and testing; supervising new nurses, trainees, and care assistants when assigned.

- Continuous learning to update knowledge and skills and apply learned knowledge to improve the quality of nursing care interventions.

- Participating in the development of nursing work plans at the department, guidelines, regulations, professional and technical procedures, and related documents and documents of nurses as assigned.

2.7. Duties of Clinical Dean in Vietnam

- Being responsible to the hospital director for nursing activities at the department.

- Coordinating with the nursing room to organize nursing activities at the department.

2.8. Duties of Heads of Other Faculties in Vietnam

- Head of pharmacy department: organize the supply of adequate, timely, and quality drugs to patients as prescribed at the clinical department, the medical examination department; consult with, support, check on, and supervise nurses performing the management and use of drugs for patients in departments and wards.

- Head of Infection Control Department: organize and supervise the implementation of regulations on infection control related to patient care activities in the hospital; provide tools, linens, and supplies in accordance with regulations for patient care activities; and collect used tools and fabrics at the clinical department.

- Head of the Department of Nutrition: organizes to receive suggestions and provide nutritional regimens suitable for each patient; supports, monitors, and supervises the implementation of nutritional regimens for patients in clinical departments;

Improveing the quality of the patient's diet accordingly based on the patient's assessment and suggestions.

2.9. Duties of functional department heads in Vietnam

- The head of the Personnel and Organization Department is responsible for formulating a plan to recruit nurses and care assistants based on the recommendation of the nursing room and coordinating with the nursing room in dispatching nurses and aides to assist with care between departments to ensure patient care requirements.

- The head of the quality management department is responsible for coordinating with the nursing department to develop criteria, evaluate, and improve the quality of nursing care based on the evaluation results.

- The head of the general planning department is responsible for coordinating with the nursing department to develop professional regulations and processes related to nursing care activities; coordinate inspection and supervision of nursing care quality.

- The head of the medical supplies and equipment department is responsible for ensuring the timely supply and repair of means, equipment, and consumables for medical care based on the recommendations of the nursing room and related units.

- The head of the administrative-administration department is responsible for the timely repair of infrastructure and facilities for nursing care.

- The head of the social work department is responsible for supporting the reception work, guiding and supporting patients in medical examination, testing, diagnostic imaging, admission, transfer, and discharge, and coordinating with the clinical department for early detection and support in difficult circumstances.

- The head of the finance and accounting department is responsible for supporting the implementation of payment and settlement procedures for patients entering and leaving the hospital.

- Head of Information Technology Department is responsible for designing, supporting, and applying software in nursing activities, patient management, electronic medical records, and the use of drugs, medical supplies, equipment, and other care-related activities.

2.10. Duties of the treating doctor in Vietnam

- Work closely with the nurses of the department in examining, identifying, and decentralizing care for each patient.

- Coordinate with nurses in performing professional care duties and nursing activities as prescribed.

- Check and supervise the implementation of treatment indications by nurses.

2.11. Duties of teachers, students and trainees in Vietnam

- Strictly perform the nursing care tasks specified in Circular 31/2021/TT-BYT and the rules and regulations of the hospital and the department where the internship is located.

- Nursing students are only allowed to perform professional nursing procedures and techniques on patients with their permission and consent, under the supervision of a teacher or nurse assigned to the patient's care.

Quoc Dat

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