Licensed Practical Nurse – Acute Care

Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

This job description defines the tasks and responsibilities normally expected of the Licensed Practical Nurse, but it should be understood that it is not all inclusive and is subject to change by the Responsible Nurse Leader or the CNO/Director of Patient Care Services. The primary role of this position is to provide nursing care to patients who are admitted into the SWING program. Additional nursing assignment may ensue when workload permits.

SPECIFICATIONS

· Assists the RN in planning the work assignment to meet the needs of the patients and peers.

· Plans for administration of policies and procedures.

· Forecasts need for special equipment and supplies for specific procedures coordinating activity with the RN and/or Acute Care supervisor

· Utilizes knowledge of skills in medical, surgical, and pediatric procedures as a basis for implementing patient care.

· Coordinates daily patient care with staff and physicians.

· Organizes own time effectively.

· Follows the hospital and nursing department policies and procedures.

· Assists the RN in identifying deficiencies in patient care and offers suggestions for corrective action.

· Participates in the identification of and administering of nursing care.

· Participates in activities to identify and meet patient needs.

· Participates in unit activities.

· Identifies and participates in activities to maintain self-motivation.

· Regular attendance at general in-service programs, unit in-service and other educational experiences.

· Develops skills for effective delegation of responsibilities in working as a team.

· Participates in goal setting for self and department

· Participates in evaluation of self with supervisor annually.

· Assists with coordination of nursing history and assessment. Assessment to be performed by RN (To be completed within 2 hours of admission.)

· Psychosocial needs and perception of patient and/or family expectations of present hospitalization are identified and documented.

· Appropriate patient education given and documented.

· Alertness and skill in recognizing and identifying symptoms. Symptoms are recognized and appropriate action taken (ex: notify physician if patient has unrelieved pain from medication ordered, offer prn medications, etc.).

· Set priorities and give care based on problem solving needs. Ability to complete work within scheduled time.

· Understands the consequences of nursing action. Activities are carried out safely, correctly, and economically

· Take responsibility for such activities and follows hospital policy and procedure for the following:

· Administering medications as per licensure allowances and restrictions

· Administers IV Fluids per policy

· Initiates Peripheral Intravenous access

· Is competent in providing Special treatments (i.e. respiratory, dressing changes, etc.)

· Providing daily nursing care to include Activities of Daily Living

· Participates in the delivery of meals and provides assistance to patients requiring help with meals

· Responds in a timely manner to patient call lights and telephone calls

· Assists the Registered Nurse in Admitting, transferring, and discharging of patients

· Maintains supplies and equipment and notifies the Nursing Supervisor when supply levels are getting low or equipment is malfunctioning

· Appropriate patient teaching concerning routine hospital procedures and special procedures regarding their condition

· Can identify basic cardiac arrhythmias, can assist the RN / Provider in code blue / emergency rescues. Is familiar with and knows how to operate emergency equipment such as portable Oxygen tanks, suction machines, and EKG machine. Knows how to apply cardiac pads utilized when applying the defibrillator

· Maintains a clean and safe environment for all patients

· Completes accurate charting each shift on all assigned patients

· Understands and participates in the care of post-partum and nursery patients

· Does appropriate discharge teaching, including but not limited to; Post-discharge follow up instructions (Home care, Office visits, Testing), activity restrictions, medication administration instructions

· Knowledge of procedures of handling and care of the deceased

· Understands and is able to explain advanced directives to patients when requested.

· Keeps the care team informed of any changes in patient’s condition. Seeks clarification of any unclear orders, keeps the Registered Nurse apprised of any changes in condition.

· Complies with the hospital controlled substance policies and procedures.

· Participates in teaching and orientation of co-workers. Identifies self-learning needs/deficits and requests training as needed.

· Participation and documentation of continuing education.

· Receives and records all physician orders in the appropriate areas of the medical record.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Plans work assignment to meet the needs of the patients and peers.

Plans for effective communications in the Acute Care area and other hospital departments.

Plans for administration of policies and procedures.

Forecasts need for special equipment and supplies for specific procedures coordinating activity with Acute Care supervisor.

Utilizes knowledge of skills in medical, surgical, and pediatric procedures as a basis for implementing patient care.

Coordinates daily patient care with staff and physicians.

Organizes own time effectively.

Identifies patient, physician and staff needs and sets priorities accordingly by communicating with all involved personnel.

Adheres to standards of care, department objectives and individual objectives.

Follows the hospital and nursing department policies and procedures.

Identifies deficiencies in patient care and initiates corrective action.

Participates on appropriate committees.

If team leading, an LPN, will complete the RN/LPN chart review in the EMR System

Communicates effectively with nursing staff, physicians, and other hospital staff.

Communicate anticipated and critical changes in patient care to supervisor and to physician.

Serves as a professional role model.

Participates in the administering and assessment of nursing care.

Participates in activities to identify and meet patient needs.

Participates in unit activities.

Identifies and participates in activities to maintain self-motivation.

Regular attendance at general in service programs, unit in service and other educational experiences.

Develops skills for effective delegation of responsibilities in working as a team

Participates in goal setting for self and department.

Recommends activities to the Acute Care Supervisor that will benefit the nursing staff in general.

Nursing assessment is obtained and completed within 2 hours of admission.

Psychosocial needs and perception of patient and/or family expectations of present hospitalization are identified and documented.

Appropriate teaching given and documented.

Alertness and skill in recognizing and identifying symptoms. Symptoms are recognized and appropriate action taken (ex: notify physician if patient has unrelieved pain from medication ordered, offer prn medications, etc.).

Set priorities and give care based on problem solving needs. Ability to complete work within scheduled time.

Take responsibility for such activities and follows hospital policy and procedure for the following:

-Giving medications following procedure

-Blood Transfusions

-IV Meds

-IV Fluids

-Starting IV’s

-Special treatments (i.e. respiratory, dressing changes, ect)

-Providing bedside nursing care

-Serving trays

-Answering lights and telephones

-Admitting, transferring and discharging patients

-Maintaining supplies and equipment

-Appropriate patient teaching concerning routine hospital procedures and

special procedures regarding their condition

-Being familiar with basic cardiac rhythms, emergency drugs and equipment

-Complete charting each shift

-Performing or appropriately delegating ADL’s for patient

-Assisting physician with procedures such as chest tube placement,

paracentesis thoracentesis, suturing of wounds etc.

-Understands basics of post-partum and nursery care

-Does appropriate discharge teaching including activity instructions,

medication instructions, among others

-Accurate documentation

-Knowledge of procedures of handling the deceased

Take responsibility for such activities and follows hospital policy and procedure for the following:

-Understands and is able to explain advanced directives to patients when

Requested

Interacts with other team members to keep them informed of any changes in patients condition

Check narcotics with each shift change or as procedure dictates

Participate in teaching and orienting co-workers within the unit. Own performance sets desired example.

Participation and documentation of continuing education.

Appropriate areas of the medical record.

Plan work assignment to meet needs of the patients and peers.

Keep the primary physician informed of patient’s condition and any acute changes.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Reports for scheduled shift on time and prepared to assume responsibilities.

Reports to work in proper uniform or attire.

Leaves for meal break on time and returns on time.

Varies work schedule to meet the needs of the department.

Ensures the department head prior to working has approved all overtime.

Schedules all time off with supervisor’s approval.

Strictly adheres to hospital attendance/tardiness policies 100% of the time.

Performs all duties as assigned.

Wears I.D. badge in a visible location at all times on hospital property.

2. Attends and participates in meetings and is responsible for information communicated at meetings.

Attends all mandatory in service on a timely basis as scheduled.

Participates as an active team member at staffs meetings.

Reads communications and acts upon in a positive and informative manner.

3. Assists all patients, family members, physicians, visitors, and employees in a professional and courteous manner.

Extends special attention and sensitivity to all patients, visitors, physicians, and fellow employees.

Assists in maintaining an atmosphere of cooperation with other departments and allied professionals.

Demonstrates respect and cooperation in all staff relationships, and a genuine willingness to prevent or resolve inter-personal conflicts.

Demonstrates the ability to participate in and/or implement team decisions.

Actively participates in and encourages actions that promote good public relations with patients’ families, visitors, and the community.

Works together in a spirit of teamwork.

Shares information on a “need to know” basis.

4. Follows Infection Control procedures at all times.

Clinical Personnel: Strictly adheres to standard precautions by adhering to the usage of personal protective equipment when handling blood or body fluids.

Non-Clinical Personnel: Washes hands and other skin surfaces with soap and water thoroughly and often in an effort to control spreading of germs within the department and facility.

Adheres to isolation procedures at all times as applicable.

5. Adheres to the following environmental care standards.

Demonstrates adequate knowledge of safety policies and procedures, the use of MSDS sheets, hazardous material procedures, and safety codes.

Code Blue, Code Gray, Code Silver, Code Amber, Code Red, Code Orange, Rapid Response Team

Demonstrates adequate knowledge of security issues, i.e. personal protection, protection of personal and hospital property.

6. Be familiar with the collective bargaining agreement of the USNU and Mid-Valley Hospital.

7. Demonstrates the ability to adapt to varied age-specific patient populations.

Non-Clinical Personnel: This position has no responsibility for the assessment, treatment, or care of patients. However, the ability to communicate and interact with patients of all ages is required.

Requirements

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION:

Graduated from an accredited School of Practical Nursing.

EXPERIENCE:

A minimum of one year acute care nursing is desired, but will consider new graduates

REQUIRED CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE/REGISTRATION:

Current state nursing licensure.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

BLS (Healthcare Provider) is required.

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively: delegate and coordinate through leadership skills.

Ability to communicate with people of diverse backgrounds and educational levels; i.e. patients, families, employees, physicians, etc.

CAREER PATH: Associate Degree in Nursing, Registered Nurse Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, Masters in Nursing

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:

Standard Precautions

Required to wear protective personal equipment when caring for patients in isolation

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 15 pounds of force frequently, or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to reach, lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

May be required to work any shift in emergencies.

May be required to work any day of the week.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This person spends 95% of their time in temperature controlled office space. The potential for exposure to biohazardous agents or exposure to blood-borne pathogens and other potential infectious agents is medium to high. This position requires contact with patients and staff under a wide variety of circumstances. This person is subject to varying and unpredictable situations, many interruptions, long irregular hours, multiple calls and inquires.

WAGE AND COMPENSATION

Wage range 25.60 hr - 37.22 hr DOE