Delegation is a fundamental aspect of a manager's job that involves transferring responsibility for a task or activity to another individual while retaining accountability for the outcome. Effective delegation involves determining the task, assessing competencies, deciding on needed supervision and authority levels. There are six principles and four basic steps to delegation including selecting a capable person, explaining the task, giving authority and maintaining contact. Key considerations for delegation include the potential for harm, required problem solving, and predictability of outcomes. The nurse retains responsibility for supervision and accountability in the delegation process.

1. DELEGATION Fundamental aspect of manager’s job; Transferring a task or procedure to someone else!

2. Delegation: “Transferring responsibility for the performance of an activity from one individual to another while retaining the accountability for the outcome”

3. Supervision: “ Providing guidance for the accomplishment of a task or activity with direction, periodic inspection of accomplishment”…“function of qualification”

5. Delegation implies that the subordinate is given the authority to do the job, can make independent decisions, and has the responsibility for seeing that the job is done well.

9. VERBAL AND WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS AND/OR DETAILS

14. ACCOUNTABILITY “Being obligated to answer for one’s acts, including the act of supervision.”

15. “ ...DUTY AND OBLIGATION TO ACT IN THE EVENT OF A BREAKDOWN IN CLIENT CARE WHEREVER IN THE CHAIN THAT BREAKDOWN OCCURS.”