RN Physical Demand Summary

Physical Demand Ratings are an estimate of the overall strength requirements that are considered to be important for an average, successful work performance of a specific job. In order to classify the occupation of a worker with a physical demand rating, the most strenuous and frequently performed tasks are evaluated.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach forward with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift or move 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

The overall physical demand rating for a job of the RN falls within the Medium classification according to the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. The maximum force and frequency associated with each job task for the RN have been objectively measured and are indicated below:

Physical Demands:

Lifting/Lowering/Carrying / Task / Height of Lift / Force Required / Frequency
(per 8 hr shift)
Below Knuckle Height
(below 26 inches for 95% of worker population) / Obtaining supplies from bedside storage areas. / Floor to waist / 3-5 lbs / Frequently
Adjusting Bed/Incubator/
Ventilator / Midway from floor to waist / 5-10 lbs / Occasionally
Transferring patient with assistance / Waist level to chair / 50 lbs / Occasionally
Waist Level / Checking vital signs / Negligible / 0.5-1 lbs / Occasionally
Reviewing Chart / Negligible / 3-5 lbs / Frequently
Reporting findings / Negligible / Negligible / Frequently
Above Shoulder
(above 48 inches for 95% of worker population) / Reaching manuals / 1-2 Feet / 3-5 lbs / Occasionally
Restocking or retrieving supplies from the stock room / 3-10 Feet / 10-20 lbs / Occasionally
Reaching / Task / Distance / Frequency
(per 8 hour shift)
Below Shoulder Level / Retrieve medicines; retrieve supplies; / Downward
1-4 Feet / Occasionally
Waist Level / Patient care; administer medications; paperwork / Forward
1-4 Feet / Frequently
Above Shoulder Level / Retrieve manuals; charts; supplies / Upward
2-5 Feet / Occasionally
Pushing/Pulling / Task / Technique / Force Requirement / Frequency
(per 8 hour shift)
Meds Cart / Pushing from a standing or walking position / 10-20 LBS / Occasionally
Bed – with or without patient/generally includes equipment / Pushing from a standing or walking position / 50 LBS / Frequently
Drawer/
Keyboard tray / Pulling from a standing position / >2 LBS / Occasionally
Activity / Task Description / Task Duration/Rate
(per 8 hour shift)
Standing / Care for patients; administer medication; access med supply room; obtain report / Frequently
Walking / Moving between around the floor; accessing supplies / Frequently
Climbing stairs / Moving between floors / Occasionally
Twisting/Bending / To access medicines from medicine carts; medical supplies; assess patients at a lower level; access beds or items on the floor. / Occasionally
Sitting / Complete paperwork / Occasionally
Kneeling / Access item in medicine cart or supply closet / Occasionally
Squatting/Crouching / Access item in the supply cart or supply closet; assess patient at lower level; access bed or items on the floor / Occasionally
Firm Grasping / Patient assessment; transporting patient / Occasionally
Feeling/Tactile Sensation / Patient Assessment; providing stimulation / Occasionally

Working Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, conditions are climate controlled. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

Exposure
Noise / Low
Fumes / Possible
Dust / Possible
Odor / Yes
Mechanical Hazards / Yes
Confined Spaces / No
Extremes of Cold / No
Extremes of Heat / No
Wet and Humid / No
Exposure to Heights / No
Vibration / No
High voltage Exposure / Possible

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AS PUBLISHED BY THE US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, 1991 in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th, Edition.

S-Sedentary

Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking for standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

L-Light

Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or 10 pounds of force frequently (one-third to tw0-thirds of the time), and for a negligible amount of force constantly (two-thirds or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated light work:

1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or

2) when it requires sitting most of the time, but entails pushing and/or pulling of arms or leg controls; and/or

3) when the job requires working at a production pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible.

M-Medium

Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.

H-Heavy

Exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 20 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Medium Work.

V-Very Heavy Work

Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Heavy Work.

DEFINITION OF FREQUENCY RATIONGS:

Occasionally

Activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the shift

Frequently

Activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the shift

Constantly

Activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the shift