Licensed Practical Nurse Medsurg

Description

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the Registered Nurse on duty and to the Director of Nursing and Clinical Services, the Licensed Practical Nurse delivers direct and indirect patient care in collaboration with a Registered Nurse and is accountable to an RN for patient care administered during the shift, and will assist in the supervision of subordinates, in accordance with JCAHO, federal, state, and local guidelines, organizational and departmental policies and procedures. Communicates with medical staff, other departments, and outside agencies while maintaining confidentiality. Position requires self-motivation, creativity, and capabilities to function in a semi-autonomous role within a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE

1. Ensures adherence to proper infection control, OSHA and safety standards.
2. Participates in continuing education.
3. Participates on committees as assigned.
4. Will assist the RN in initial and ongoing assessment of the patient.
5. Collects, organizes, and charts information, relays information to the staff on duty.
6. Participates in the examination of the patient in order to assess physical function.
7. Identifies present physical and emotional condition and charts correctly.
8. Reviews admission assessment and documents in problem list and nurses note.
9. Works with other health team members to formulate a problem list specific to the individual patient, and updates it frequently.
10. Provides verbal input regarding plan of care.
11. Delivers care to patient that communicates patient worth.
12. Reduces patient anxiety via a calm manner and explanation/education of procedures to patient and to family, when appropriate.
13. Assists in meeting the daily hygiene needs of the patient.
14. Supervises and assists with care of pre-op patient (proper dress, pre-op voiding, completion of chart and pre-medication).
15. Identifies physical symptoms, physical changes and reports to RN in a timely manner.
16. Administers medications according to established policies and procedures. Observes and reports behavioral and physiological changes due to medications.
17. Charts all medications when given and documents missed doses.
18. Administers treatments according to established policies and procedures.
19. Involves patient and family in care.
20. Uses medical and surgical asepsis in all aspects of care.
21. Promotes independence in patient or assists to accept dependent status according to patient conditions.
22. Formulates actions and assists in meeting hydration, nutritional and elimination needs.
23. Provides for mental and social stimulation in appropriate amounts on the basis of patient potential.
24. In conjunction with RN implements teaching plan including family and patient.
25. Reviews home care instructions with patient prior to discharge and documents.
26. Assists patient during discharge, and transports to vehicle.
27. In conjunction with the RN uses patient data to measure progress related to nursing goals.
28. Initiates new nursing actions as needed.
29. Performs administrative duties such as charting in a clear, concise, organized and legible manner, including nursing intervention and patient response.
30. Tracks patient goal progress or lack of progress, documents findings, and recommends a different approach when/if needed.
31. Performs other duties as needed, required, requested or assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Level of Education: Education level equivalent to graduation from an accredited school of registered nursing.

Formal Training: Management skills with experience in planning, organizing, implementing, facilitating, interviewing, counseling, and verbal and written communications.

Licensure, Certification, Registration: Must have and maintain an unencumbered Registered Nurse License in the State of Georgia, must have and maintain certification in BLSCPR and ACLS.

Work Experience: Must demonstrate three to five years Medsurg or related experience. Intermediate computer skills with word processing and spreadsheet capabilities.