Licensed Practical Nurse

Mary Free Bed Summary

We have the great privilege of helping patients and families re-build their lives.It’sextraordinarily meaningful work and the reason we greet the day with optimism and anticipation. When patients “Ask for Mary,” they experience a culture that has been sculpted for more than a century. Our hallmark is to carefully listen to patients andinnovatively serve them. This is true of every employee,from support staff and leadership,to clinicians and care providers.  

Mary Free Bed is a not-for-profit, nationally accredited rehabilitation hospital serving thousands of children and adults each year through inpatient, outpatient, sub-acute rehabilitation, orthotics and prosthetics and home and community programs. With the most comprehensive rehabilitation services in Michigan and an exclusive focus on rehabilitation, Mary Free Bed physicians, nurses and therapists help our patients achieve outstanding clinical outcomes. The growing Mary Free Bed Network provides patients throughout the state with access to our unique standard of care

Mission Statement

Restoring hope and freedom through rehabilitation.

Employment Value Proposition

At Mary Free Bed, we take pride in our values-based culture:

• Focus on Patient Care.A selfless drive to serve and heal connects all MFB employees.

• Clinical Variety and Challenge.An inter-disciplinary approach and a top team of professionals create ever-changing opportunities and activities.

• Family Culture.We offer the stability of a large organization while nurturing the family/team atmosphere of a small organization.

• Trust in Each Other.Each employee knows that co-workers can be trusted to make the right decision for our family, patients, staff, and community.

• A Proud Tradition. Years of dedicated, quality service to our patients and community have yielded a reputation that fills our employees with pride.  

Age Specific Responsibility

Must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served in assigned department.  Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth anddevelopment over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to his or her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department’s policies and procedures.

Summary

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) provide important patient care within the Nursing Department.  Under the direction of the registered nurse assigned to each patient, and as delegated to by the RN, the LPN assists with patient care and other department activities as outlined in this job description, and communicates effectively with the RN responsible for each patient.  Work performed by each LPN must support the mission, vision, and values of Mary Free Bed.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Quality Pillar of Excellence

Patient Care –The LPN provides direct patient care, as delegated by the patient’s RN andin accordance withdepartmental policies and procedures.  Patient care performed by a LPN includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Collects,monitors, andreportsphysiological, psychological, socio-cultural, and spiritual needs of the patient and family as directed by and in coordination with the patient’s assigned RN.

Administers medications (with the exception ofIV administration) as ordered by the physician and as delegated by the RN.

Provides input to the RN into an individualized plan of care for each patient.

Reinforces patient and family education and documents as such on thepatientplan of care.

Obtains and records vital signs usingappropriate equipmentandtechnique.

Provides direct patient care including bowel programs, patient hygiene, recording intake and outpatient, and other responsibilities as outlined in department policies.

Answers call lights ina timely, respectful manner

Documentscare via computer/written patient record according to department policies, including content and timeliness of documentation.  

Transports patients in a safe andtimelymanner tofacilitatepatient diagnostic testing and therapy sessions, as needed.  Communicates with other team membersin order toensure continuity of care and coordination of services.

Maintains the patient’s living environment in a clean, safe manner

Cleans patient areas, work areas, and equipment, as needed.  Communicates any equipment malfunctions to the Central Supply Department or NursingSupervisor, andremoves equipment from patient carein accordance withdepartment policies.

Assistswith collection of quality data, as assigned by the RN or management 

Demonstratesappropriate useof all patient care equipment,in accordance withdepartmental policies.

Communication –Each staff member in the Nursing Department is responsibleto communicateina timely,professionaland respectful mannerat all times.Responsibilities of the LPN include, but are not limited to:

Patients and their families or visitors are treated with kindness and respect.

Customers, physicians, and other staff members are treated with kindness and respect.

Maintains effective working relationships with employees throughout the organization.

Treats patient call lights as a primary communication method between the patient and the caregiver, and promptly responds to call lights, in person, as soon as possible.

Deliverscare in a manner that is culturally sensitive and preserves the dignity and rights of each patient.  Deals discreetly and sensitively with confidentialinformation, andfollowsall hospital policies related to protected health information.

Service Pillar of Excellence

Customer Service –Each LPNis required todemonstrateexcellent customer service standards and behaviors in all interactions with colleagues, patients, family members, physicians, and other customers.  This employee is responsibleto understandhow patient satisfaction is measured within the nursing department, the expectations related to customer service, and the action plans that are in place to improve the satisfaction of MFB customers.

People Pillar of Excellence

Employee communication– The LPN employee understands that communication with hospital and department leadership occurs in many ways, and that it is the responsibility of each employee to be aware of policy and practice changes.  This information is shared through various methods such as administrative bulletins, staff meetings, bulletin board postings, email, department newsletters, individual discussions, and on the MFB intranet (InsideMFB).

Employee training and competency assessments– Each LPN is responsibleto completeacompetency basedorientation at the time of hire, and all required training and competency assessments annually, prior to the posted deadlines.  Questions about required education and competency modules should be addressed to the nurse educators or nursing supervisors to ensure that the requirements are completed prior to the deadlines.  

Performance evaluations–Each LPN will meet with a nursing supervisor to complete an annual performance evaluation prior to the department or organizational deadline.  The employee will provide input to the supervisor when reviewing goals and performance from the completed review period.  The employee will work with the supervisor to review organizational and departmental action plans, and toidentifypersonal goals for the upcoming review period.  As a preceptor, each LPN will collaborate with the assigned RN, NursingSupervisorand Nurse Educator to provide a thorough andaccurateorientation for the new team member.   

Safety policies– Each employee is responsibleto demonstrateknowledge of and performancein accordance withhospital and department safety and infection control policies and procedures.  Each employeemaintainsa safe and clean working environment for the benefit of patients and staff.  

Financial Performance Pillar of Excellence

Fiscal Responsibility –Each LPN documents patient chargeable items according to department policies. Avoidsduplication and waste of supplies. Arrives to work on time and works throughout the shift, unless taking a designated break.  If the LPN does not have work to do, asks a RN or a nursing supervisor for work to avoid downtime. Avoidsovertime, and if overtime is expected,communicatesthis in advance with the nursing supervisor so that alternatives can be explored.

Other

• We’llembrace all people by:

• Treating everyone with dignity and respect.

• Opening more doors to opportunity for others to succeed.

• Growing talent and people.

• Ensuring a welcoming experience for all we serve, regardless of origin, race, religion, disability, sexualorientationor socioeconomic status.

• Taking actionagainst discrimination.

• Honoring our differences and how we collaborate.

• Educating staff,patientsand the communities we care for.

• Restoring hope andfreedom,together.

The LPN is also responsible for other department and patient-related tasks, as assigned, and in alignment with departmental policies and procedures.  This employee is expected to perform assignments as directed bymanagement, andprovides input on new services or revisions to new/existing policies and procedures asappropriate.

Limitations:  A Licensed Practical Nurse:

• May not delegate responsibilities to another LPN or to a non-licensed employee.

• May not take verbal or telephone orders from a physician.

• May not change tracheostomy tubes or insert nasogastric tubes

• May not change dressings, irrigate, flush, ordiscontinuecentral lines or accessportacaths

• May not do peritoneal dialysis

Customer Service Responsibilities

Demonstrate excellent customer service and standards ofbehaviorsas well as encourages, coaches, andmonitorsthe sameinteam members. This individual should consistently promote teamwork and direct communication with co-workers and deal discretely and sensitively with confidential information.

Responsibilities in Quality Improvement

Contribute byidentifyingproblems and seeking solutions. Promote patient/family satisfaction where possible;participatesin departmental efforts tomonitorand report customer service.

Essential Job Qualifications

• ​​Licensure Requirements: Active Michigan license as a Licensed Practical Nurse​

• Education:  Graduate of an approved practical nursing program.  Successful completion of an accredited pharmacology course, NAPNES preferred.

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

• Must be competent with computer systems for the purpose of documenting patient care.

• Must be able to work effectively under time requirements and deadlines, problem-solve when facing unexpected issues, handle interruptions, and prioritize effectively.

• Experience:  None required.  Previous experience as a LPN in a rehabilitation setting is preferred.