Licensed Practical Nurse

Overview

The LPN is responsible for performing a wide variety of nursing care, patient activities, and accommodative services for the comfort and well-being of patients in accordance with physicians' orders and under the guidance and direction of the Registered Nurse.

Responsibilities

• Performs basic nursing care and patient procedures as required.

• Participates in conferences and serves on Committees as requested.

• Observes, reports, and documents in the patient chart changes in patient's condition, observations made, and complaints voiced and nursing care performed.

• Participates in patient and family health education as necessary.

• Provides a safe and secure environment for the patient.

• Prepares for and assists with diagnostic and therapeutic treatments.

• May administer I.V.F. in accordance with state Nurse Practice Act.

• Checks, irrigates and maintains drainage tubes as needed.

• May insert N/G tubes after training. (KY & VA).

• May administer tube feedings.

• Suctions patients according to hospital policy and procedure.

• Functions in emergencies and on the code team as designated.

• Performs catheterizations and provides catheter care.

• Administers oral and intra-muscular, intradermal, subcu, I.V., PB, and medications as approved.

• Administers I.V.P. medications as approved. (In Virginia only).

• Cares for patients receiving oxygen therapy and analyzes oxygen concentration of O₂ tents, isolette and croupettes.

• Administers respiratory treatments (I.P.P.B.).

• Applies sterile and unsterile compresses and bandages of all types and styles.

• Answers call lights, assists patients with personal hygiene and other activities of daily living.

• Tests urine for sugar, acetone, and pH, weighs patients, and takes vital signs.

• Cares for patients in isolation.

• Assists with physical and vaginal examinations and obtaining pap smears.

• Administers post-operative regime: cough, deep breathing, turns patients, and takes vital signs.

• Prepares patients for surgery, including pre-op check lists.

• Applies ace bandages, all types of traction, hot water bottle and ice cap.

• Measures and records intake and output.

• Collects specimens; blood, urine, stool and sputum.

• Administers post-mortem care and transportation.

• Administers enemas: retention, cleansing, therapeutic, colonic, irrigation.

• Maintains cleanliness, safety and efficiency in nursing.

• Remains alert and responds appropriately in emergency situations, providing patient care, initiating CPR, and performing other tasks designated by the RN or MD.

• Assists with the care and security of patients' valuables.

• Checks narcotics and barbiturates, reports discrepancies, completes incident reports appropriately, and submits them to appropriate management.

• Cares for patients with radium and assists physician with removal of radium.

• Prepares used equipment for re-sterilization.

• Cleans and maintains storage of equipment.

• Requests repairs and follows up with physician and other staff as appropriate regarding equipment performance.

• Complies with hospital policies for obtaining, documenting, and following through on telephone and verbal orders.

• Monitors glucose via glucose monitor machine.

• Collects Quality Improvement data as requested.

• Uses universal precautions.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Graduate of an accredited school of practical nursing.

Licenses & Certifications

• Must maintain current licensure in state of practice.

• Must successfully complete the I.V. Therapy Course.

Required Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Technical skills in special nursing fields preferred.

Experience

• Six (6) months to one (1) year on-the-job training is required to attain proficiency of performance of assigned duties.