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Children's National Hospital

Pediatric hospital network with research institutes

LPN 2

Nursing & Frontline Patient CareUpdated on Nov 12
Full-timeWashington, DC, USA$24.52 - $48.15In-person

About the Job

Requirements

  • A high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, plus completion of a vocational or technical training program in a related field of at least one year.
  • At least one year of related experience.
  • Ability to perform technical functions while interacting with children and families, with verbal and written communication skills.
  • Competence in obtaining accurate vital signs, assessing patients, and documenting patient care.
  • Successful completion of the Division of Nursing & Patient Services LPN Medication Administration test and hospital and nursing orientation.
  • Ability to identify resources, recognize when to ask for help or escalate, and identify self-learning needs and seek resources to address them.
  • Basic knowledge, judgment, and skill in delivering the nursing process, including secondary assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, education, and evaluation.
  • Successful completion of the LPN I role, if applicable.
  • Licensed Practical Nurse license.
  • Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification, required upon hire.

Responsibilities

  • Differentiate new problems from long-term problems at admission or clinic visits; obtain patient histories to establish the child's normal baseline; respond to family inquiries and explain information clearly.
  • Accurately measure temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, height, weight, head circumference, and intake and output according to procedure.
  • Recognize physical and behavioral changes in assigned patients; provide basic nursing care, including bathing, hygiene, dressing, linen changes, positioning, bedpan or urinal assistance, diaper changes, ambulation, and holding.
  • Perform therapeutic interventions and associated procedures within the role's scope, including tube care, gastrostomy care, chest tube care, urinary catheter care, IV starts with solutions without additives, venipuncture, tracheostomy care per protocol, wound and ostomy skin care, chest physiotherapy, oral/nasal/pharyngeal suctioning, central-line dressing changes, and peritoneal dialysis catheter exit-site care; do not perform nasotracheal or endotracheal suctioning or insert oral/nasal airways.
  • Respond immediately to alarms from a child's feeding pump or monitor, assess the cause, troubleshoot the alarm system, follow directives, and inform the Registered Nurse as needed; recognize signs such as apnea, wheezing, retractions, behavioral or level-of-consciousness changes, seizure activity, skin lesions, and poor tissue perfusion.
  • Collect and test specimens, and pass nasogastric tubes and catheters according to procedure and unit policy.
  • Prepare monitor setups and discontinue peripheral IVs when directed by a Registered Nurse.
  • Follow infection-control protocols, organizational emergency plans, nursing practice guidelines, and protocols.
  • Complete assigned screening, intake, admission, discharge, and transfer tasks for a unit or clinic; accept patient assignments and work with the Registered Nurse to implement and document care.
  • Organize workload with a co-assigned Registered Nurse who administers medication or performs assessments and care procedures; contribute to patient and family care plans with the healthcare team.
  • Follow physicians' orders and nursing directives precisely, and carry out STAT orders immediately within the LPN job description.
  • Orient children and families to the area, its regulations, and expected routines; prepare assigned children for examinations, procedures, or surgery according to standards and principles of growth and development.
  • Review medical records, including progress notes and care plans, and reinforce teaching outlined by the Registered Nurse.
  • Teach families to administer routine medications at home, including effects, side effects, and dosage, using preprinted materials or guidance from the primary nurse.
  • Implement the education plan during hospitalization or clinic visits under the Registered Nurse's or physician's direction, and provide the Registered Nurse feedback about patient and family teaching.
  • Recognize and escalate patient care concerns through the chain of command.
  • Contribute to Magnet redesignation by completing education on time and participating in relevant councils, committees, task forces, and community outreach.
  • Use the identified process to ensure accurate handoffs and work cohesively with the team to meet patient-care needs.
  • Refer patients to physicians and Registered Nurses as indicated; perform preventive health care and health maintenance at the direction of the delegating Registered Nurse.
  • Offer additional attention to children who are alone by sitting with them, talking, or playing.
  • Complete mandatory education and regulatory requirements; develop annual goals and a personal education program with the Supervisor to increase understanding of diseases and treatments.
  • Assist a float or orientee who appears uncomfortable with a procedure within the LPN job description's scope.
  • Work collaboratively with all members of the healthcare team and participate in ongoing professional development.
  • Document observations, interventions, teaching, and child/family responses immediately and accurately on the correct forms according to policy and procedure.
  • Participate in admission or clinic unit data collection and document on appropriate forms.
  • Document medication administration, including time, route, signature, and patient responses, as appropriate.
  • Gather physical and psychological data on patients and families, complete accurate and timely assignments and required screening, and document accordingly.
  • Demonstrate competency in clinical skills within scope of practice, and develop assessment, organization, and prioritization skills to care for patients whose clinical needs change.
  • Complete documentation according to policies and procedures and proactively assess and plan for educational needs during patient visits.
  • Administer medications safely as ordered, following the five rights, and organize care to complete the assignment.
  • Propose medication refills after successfully completing the medication test, in accordance with departmental or clinical policies and procedures.
  • Prioritize safety, remain with patients in distress, initiate Basic Life Support when necessary, and continuously verify information used for decisions and documentation.
  • Demonstrate competency in basic mathematical calculations and conversions, and communicate accurately, clearly, and promptly in writing and verbally.
  • Promote safety for patients, families, and coworkers; recognize and escalate abnormal clinical findings, ensure reassessment of abnormal vital signs and assessments, and document findings appropriately.

About the Company

Children's National Hospital

Pediatric hospital network with research institutes

Children’s National Hospital is a nonprofit pediatric health system in Washington, D.C., providing primary and specialty medical care for children across the region, with locations in the D.C. metropolitan area and a dedicated research campus. It combines hospital care with pediatric research through the Children’s National Research Institute and Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, and operates the Research & Innovation Campus opened in 2021 to develop new ways to treat kids. Care is delivered by multidisciplinary teams across a network of community-based primary care and specialty locations, with a strong emphasis on nursing excellence reflected in four Magnet designation awards. The hospital also engages in advocacy at local and national levels and relies on donors to fund services. Its goal is to improve children’s health by advancing pediatric medicine and ensuring access to high-quality care and support for families.

Company size
5,001-10,000
Company stage
Grant
Total funding
$3.4M
Headquarters
Washington DC, United States
Founded
1870

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