Licensed Practical Nurse

Description

SUMMARY: 

Thorough knowledge of general nursing principles and procedures and understanding of the concepts of aging and the needs and concerns of the elderly population. Knowledge of state and federal health regulations and clinical standards of nursing practice and delivery systems, supervision management, staff development and cost containment. Ability to perform comprehensive assessments and development individualized plans of care based on resident needs. Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing with all levels of health care professionals and support staff. Must be able to work under varying degrees of supervision. Display positive professional image and enhance positive public relations for the facility.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

A. Organize, Provide and Evaluate Resident Care

B. Assist with Safety Assurance for Residents and Nursing Staff

C. Know and Enforce State and Federal Regulations and Guidelines

D. Conducts Physical/Mental Assessments

E. Administers Medications and Treatments

F. Know and Support Facility Philosophy, Standards, Policies and procedures

G. Promote Constructive Working Relationships between Health Care Disciplines

H. Exhibit Professional Nursing 

I. Perform Related Tasks as Required

A. Organize, Provide and Evaluate Resident Care

1. Develop daily shift assignments based on plans of care and staff qualifications.
2. Conduct walking rounds at the beginning and end of shift, evaluating resident's response to treatment and observing care provided by nursing personnel.
3. Assure nursing care is being provided and documented in accordance with the assessed and identified needs.
4. Assures care plans are updated when necessary, conveyed to and implemented by the nursing staff.
5. Assure facility medical records policies and procedures are adhered to.
6. Performs comprehensive and focused nursing assessments in conjunction with changes in clinical conditions and in accordance with scheduled programs.
7. Notify or assure notification is made to the attending physician, resident, or sponsor or significant changes in medical condition and documenting same.
8. Requests and assures supplies and equipment are available to perform care and treatment as required by the resident.
9. Assesses monthly progress toward the resident’s care plan, notifies appropriate health care professionals, including attending physician of findings.
10. Schedules appointments, physician, therapy and consults and arrange for transportation.
11. Assures diagnostic tests and other monitoring activities are performed, as ordered, and timely notifies the appropriate health care professional of the results.
12. Accompanies physician during resident visits, advising of changes in health status and assists with examinations.
13.  Supervises resident dining activities assuring safe feeding practices and food substitutions are offered.
14.  Assures completion of daily, weekly and monthly documentation requirements in the resident clinical record are performed.
15. Assures that residents’ rights and family requests are maintained at all times, reporting suspected deviations to an immediate supervisor.

B. Perform Quality Improvement Activities for the Unit

1. Perform quality improvement activities as assigned by the Director of Nursing or designee.
2. Identify learning needs of nursing support staff and inform Director of Nursing of same.
3. Identify potential safety hazards or risk management issues and implement interventions as necessary.
4. Weekly perform skin assessment to monitor occurrence of pressure sores or other skin conditions, providing the Director of Nursing written data on each occurrence.    
5. Observe staff infection control practices providing one-on-one instructions for proper adherence.
6. Complete monthly and weekly reports in accordance with nursing policies.
7. Perform follow up interventions and notifications as required from RD and Pharmacy reviews.
8. Assures resident and staff complaints are documented and reported to the D.O.N.

C. Participate in Performance Evaluations of the Unit Support Staff

1. Evaluates and assesses employee work performance of resident care, staff relations and expected performance. 
2. Conduct performance checklists on each nursing employee at least annually, in accordance with their assigned position.
3. Assures completion of daily, weekly and monthly documentation requirements in the resident clinical record are performed.
4. Identifies staff learning needs, counsels and/or promptly reinstructs staff to meet facility standards. Contributes to topics for staff development programs.
5. Keep Director of Nursing informed of staff performance and need for additional counseling or disciplinary actions.
6. Observe direct care to ensure services are provided in accordance with policies and procedures on a timely basis.

D. Assist with Safety Assurance for Residents and Nursing Staff

1. Practices and monitors employee safe body mechanics.
2. Monitor environmental factors to assure a safe environment for residents and employees.
3. Monitors employee adherence to MSDS safety practices.
4. Assure equipment is used in a safe manner in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Maintains clean, orderly and safe work area.
6. Initiates promptly and accurately accident/incident reports.
7. Ensures that safety precautions are incorporated into individual plans of care.
8. Reports defective equipment or potential hazards for repair or immediate remediation.
9. Adheres to Nursing Department policies and procedures.
10. Perform quality control activities.

E. Know and Enforce State and Federal Regulations and Guidelines

1. Maintain confidentiality of residents’ information.
2. Inform Director of Nursing when staffing requirements are not met.
3. Report all unusual occurrences to the immediate supervisor and Director of Nursing.
4. Assure completion of monthly and discharge summaries.
5. Participate in periodic surveys by the Health Facilities Division.
6. Function in alternate staff position as necessary to maintain staffing requirements.
7. Complete and submit reports in a timely manner, i.e., reports of infection, accident/incidents and medication errors.
8. Assures the unit is maintained as a safe environment for the resident.

F. Conducts Physical/Mental Assessments

1. Timely review and complete MDS focused assessments (admission, annual and quarterly).  
2. Revises care plan assuring they are current and accurate.
3. Attend and be prepared for scheduled Care Plan meeting.
4. Assists with orientation and training programs of staff and provides individual instruction in nursing skills when necessary.
5. Assure monthly physician's re-caps are reviewed, accurate and complete.

G. Administers Medications and Treatments

1. Adheres to clinical practice guidelines
2. Follows facility policies and procedures
3. Uses good nursing judgment in withholding medications or treatments
4. Notifies physician, family and supervisor when medical regimen is altered
5. Documents in accordance with facility Medical Records Policy.

H. Know and Support Facility Philosophy, Standards, Policies and procedures

1. Perform all tasks in accordance with established policies and procedures in a timely manner.
2. Assure unit staff is aware of location of policies and procedures and uses same.
3. Be flexible, receptive, and adaptive to change.

I. Promote Constructive Working Relationships between Health Care Disciplines

1. Participate in scheduled training, in-services, Relias Modules, and educational classes.
2. Exhibit teamwork with all employees and hold others accountable in delivering the best care.
3. Communicate with department head on an as-needed basis to problem solve and plan for more effective resident care.
4. Communicates with physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapists and Rehabilitation Aide to assure coordination of service.
5. Meet with staff nurses, QMA's and CNA's on a regular basis to exchange information and address issues affecting resident care and nursing management to promote job satisfaction.
6. Assist physician during resident examination and visits.

J. Promote Favorable Public Relations 

1. Present a professional appearance and serve as unit role model.              
2. Reviews and resolves grievances with supervisor or Director of Nursing.
3. Report to work on time when scheduled.
4. Deliver excellent customer service at all times.

K. Exhibit Professional Nursing and Leadership

1. Maintain current knowledge of scope of practice for self and support staff.
2. Encourage innovative methods for delivery of long-term care.
3. Seek opportunities for personal and professional growth, related to clinical standards of practice, gerontology, rehabilitation, organization theory, management, regulatory agencies, interpersonal skills, and infection control.
4. Adheres to the Nurse Practice Act.
5. Demonstrate self respect and respect for others.
6. Display courteous, cooperative, helpful manner with residents, visitors and other employees.

L. Perform Related Tasks as Required

1. Attends management meetings as requested by the Director of Nursing.
2. Knows and follows existing lines of communication and authority.
3. Maintain a neat and orderly work area to ensure that state regulations are met. 
4. Develop solutions using problem solving skills. 
5. Foster the mission, values, and guiding behaviors of the Sisters of Providence.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA’s)

Requirements

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

1. Licensed Practical or Registered Nurse Graduate from accredited or state approved School of Nursing with current license to practice in the State of Indiana, in good standing.  
2. At least one year in supervisory or administrative role.  
3. Prefer two years geriatric or long-term care nursing experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

1. Physical 

a) Will need to be able to stand and sit for extended periods of time, bend, twist and reach to the floor.  

b) Must have eye/hand coordination sufficient to set up and administer injections

c) Prepare/administer medications and treatments and adjusting flow rates and use medical equipment.

d) Pushes/pulls medication/ treatment carts weighing 100 pounds a distance of 600 feet.  

e) Must be able to clearly speak at a volume adaptable to the hearing impaired.  

f) Lifts and carries equipment weighing 25 pounds.

1. Sensory 

a) Must be able to hear normal volume sounds and voice patterns with constant background noise.

b) Must be able to hear lung, bowel and blood pressure sounds with appropriate diagnostic instruments.  

c) Must be able to receive and follow verbal and written instruction. 

d) Must be able to assess changes in resident conditions.  

e) Must be able to smell smoke, spoiled foods, incontinent residents, etc.  

f) Must be able to respond to audible emergency signals, alarms, call lights and telephones.  

g) Must be able to read regular/small size print in multiple colors.

h) Must possess skills for continuous handling, fingering and feeling required for palpation, operating and maintaining equipment and providing medical treatments, i.e. wound care, resident care and medication/treatment administration.

1. Cognitive 

a) Must be able to remember multiple assignments over an extended period of time.  

b) Must be able to remember data derived from assessments and document, review, specific requests, ideas and concepts and relate them as necessary. 

c) Must be able to concentrate on details during constant interruptions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Works primarily indoors in a climate controlled setting. There is the potential for exposure to blood, body tissues and fluids with occasional exposure to hazardous materials and infectious diseases. Exposure to chemicals is occasional. There is known stress associated in working with residents who are ill, cognitively and functionally impaired.

EQUIPMENT USED

Writing implements, medical chart holders, weight scales, needles, syringes, emergency care of equipment, stethoscope, thermometer, infusion pumps, glucometers, feeding devices, blood pressure devices, protective barrier equipment, restraint devices, anti-pressure devices, wheelchairs, telephone call systems, wandering notification systems.