LPN

Description

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The primary purpose of the position is to provide direct and indirect nursing care to the residents, and to supervise day-to-day nursing activities performed by Resident Assistants. Supervision must be in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations to ensure that the highest level of quality care is maintained at all times.

The practice of professional nursing means the performance of professional interpersonal service of: (a) providing a nursing assessment of the actual and potential health needs of individuals, families, or communities; (b) providing nursing care supportive to or restorative of life by functions such as skilled administration of nursing care, supervising and teaching nursing personnel, health teaching and counseling, case finding, and referral to other health resources; and (c) evaluating these actions.

The practice of professional nursing includes both independent nursing functions and delegated medical functions which may be performed in collaboration with other health team members, or may be delegated by the professional nurse to other nursing personnel. Independent nursing function may also be performed autonomously. The practice of professional nursing requires that level of special education, knowledge, and skill ordinarily expected of an individual who has completed an approved professional nursing education program.

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY:

The Registered Nurse may delegate the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out the assigned duties.

FUNDAMENTAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. Essential Functions:

1. Administrative Functions

· Direct the day-to-day functions of the Resident Assistants.

· Ensure that the written policies and procedures that govern the nursing department are adhered to, as they pertain to the position.

· Cooperate with ancillary services and family to ensure that the residents’ total regimen of care is maintained.

· Ensure that all nursing service personnel are following their respective job descriptions.

· Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, and charting as necessary.

· Participate in the facility’s quality assurance program.

· Evaluate referrals and residents for admission, transfer, and discharge, as required. 

· Review the residents’ written discharge plan as needed.

· Be a helpful and supportive “team” member. Contribute to and be an example of teamwork.

· Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive resident emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the care center and shift.

· Be available and on-call in the evenings and on the weekends, as required. 

2. Charting and Documentation

· Accurate and timely completion of required documentation in accordance with facility policy.

· Report to and collaborate with appropriate physicians to ensure continuity of residents’ care.

3. Medication Administrative Functions

· Prepare and administer medication as ordered by physicians in compliance with facility policies and procedures and as required by the appropriate licensing and regulatory agencies.

· Supervise Resident Assistants during medication administration as needed.

· Order prescribed medications, supplies, and equipment as necessary.

· Notify the RN, DON, Administrator of all medication and narcotic discrepancies noted.

4. Personnel Functions

· Participate in determining and ascertaining shift staffing requirements. Develop work assignments.

· Review and evaluate the nursing department’s work force as directed.

· Provide leadership to nursing personnel assigned.

 5. Nursing Care Functions

· Inform personnel of new admissions, their expected time of arrival, room assignments, etc.

· Greet new resident’s timely and complete full assessment of status and collect pertinent information.

· Implement and maintain established nursing objectives and standards.

· Make independent decisions concerning nursing care.

· Administer professional services as indicated by the Nursing Department Policies and Procedures.

· Carry out and supervise restorative and rehabilitative programs.

· Consult with residents’ attending physicians in providing the residents’ care, treatment, rehabilitation, etc., as necessary.

 6. Staff Development

· Attend, participate, and assist with teaching during orientation and training offerings.

· Keep current with license and CPR certification (if required). Provide documentation to the facility.

· Provide ongoing training to staff in accordance to CBRF Wisconsin state requirements. 

7. Safety and Sanitation

· Provide and maintain safe caring practices of residents.

· Provide and supervise the provision of resident appropriate assistance with activities of daily living skills.

· Ensure that assigned personnel participate in and conduct all fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner as outlined by facility policy.

8. Care Plan Functions

· Review and update individual service plans as needed to reflect change in residents’ conditions. Follow residents’ plans of care.

· Ensure that documentation reflect that the care plan is being followed.

· Ensure that assigned nursing personnel are aware of the residents’ service plan and that they are followed in administering daily care to the resident.

9. Resident Rights

· Adhere to the Resident Bill of Rights.

· Protect resident’s confidentiality.

· Ensure that all nursing personnel are knowledgeable of the residents’ rights, and responsibilities.

· Review complaints and grievances made by the resident and make a written/oral report to the Director of Nursing or Administrator indicating what action(s) was taken to resolve the complaint or grievance.

In addition to the previous essential functions, employee(s) must treat residents, staff and visitors with dignity and respect, and must know Resident’s Bill of Rights. Employee(s) must also demonstrate good working habits.

Physical job requirements:

Employees must be able to sit, stand and walk throughout the shift. This position rarely requires use of feet for repetitive movement as in operating foot controls. This position does require employees to use hands for simple grasping, firm grasping and fine manipulation. 

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:

Must be able to work efficiently with frequent interruptions, be able to distinguish priorities in resident care and follow through with them, must be able to handle difficult and emotionally upsetting circumstances which involve the resident and/or family members.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials will occur. Exposure to environmental conditions including dust, fumes, gases, and marked changes in temperature and humidity will occur. Job involves working on unprotected heights and around moving machinery. 

EQUIPMENT USED:

Medical equipment such as patient lifting devices, blood pressure cuffs and stethoscope, thermometer, oximeter, blood glucose monitoring devices, IV equipment, syringes, otoscope, transfer belts, wheel chairs, geri-chairs, commodes, walkers, scales and oxygen equipment.  Personal protective equipment such as gloves, gowns, masks, and goggles or shields.

QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED:

Must be, at a minimum, a graduate of an approved LPN program. Must possess a current, unencumbered license and registration to practice as a LPN in the state of Wisconsin. Must demonstrate leadership abilities to develop and motivate people; possess good critical thinking and problem solving skills; exhibit the ability to prioritize responsibilities; be flexible and able to work under stressful situations; possess good verbal and written communication skills; be self-directed and work autonomously; and have the necessary management skills to plan for and oversee the utilization of resources and the design of work processes. Must be able to read, write, and speak English. Must be comfortable with computers and have willingness to learn, use and teach the current electronic charting. CBRF experience preferred.