Page 9 - UNC MC Assistive Personnel Orientation Manual 2020

Delegation

What is Delegation?

Achieving performance of care outcomes
For which you are accountable and responsible
by sharing activities with other individuals
who have the appropriate authority to accomplish the work.

Yoder-Wise (2014)

Components of Delegation

•Patient care is safely provided
Care
Outcomes

•Both RN and NA have an obligation to care for that patient and ensure the task is
completed
Accountable & •The RN, in delegating an activity to NA, transfers the responsiblity for the performance of
Responsible the activity but retains professional accountability for the overall care

•Both the RN and NA work together to accomplish care
Sharing
Activities

•The RN selects the appropriate person to delegate the task
Appropriate
Authority

Accepting a delegated task

All three criteria must be met for the NA to accept the delegated task / activity
1. The activity is within the NA scope of practice
2. The NA has been trained and deemed competent to perform the activity
3. The activity will not harm the patient

Nursing Assistants may not….
o Supervise other assistive personnel (NA, CST)
o Re-delegate activities
o Complete an assessment – an example is a pain assessment
o Complete patient education or teaching

Nursing Practice and Professional Development / Assistive Personnel Orientation 2020 Page 9