LPN

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY:

The Licensed Practical Nurse, or LPN, oversees, coordinates and shares the responsibilities for all activities of the facility related to the care and wellbeing of the Residents. He/She will provide services in accordance with Angelhaus objectives and guidelines. He/She will assist in establishing and implementing policies, promote favorable relationships inside and out of the center, and perform duties to ensure safe and efficient operation of the center.

JOB RELATIONSHIPS:

• Responsible to: The LPN reports to the Director of Nursing.

• Workers Supervised: The LPN supervises all employees of the center with the exception of the Administrator, DON, and DOO.

• Interrelationships: The LPN regularly interacts with residents and works cooperatively with all staff of the facility. The LPN also works with families and outside providers.

RESPONSIBILITIES & AUTHORITIES:

• Resident Care.

• Process admissions/discharges.

• Welcome resident and oversee orientation to surroundings.

• Care plan updates.

• Completing transfer/discharge paperwork as appropriate.

• Conducting future assessments on potential residents.

• Use resident assessment to help Registered Nurse set measurable goals and objectives in a care plan that meets the resident’s physical, mental and psychosocial needs.

• Deliver and supervise resident care.

• Administer medications and treatments as necessary.

• Maintain proper surveillance of medications and records for controlled drugs.

• Perform nursing procedures.

• Arrange for tests and procedures and follow up to ensure completion.

• Evaluate residents regularly for evidence of changes in condition using assessment skills based on accepted nursing standards.

• Assess need for preventive and restorative programs to ensure optimum achievable quality of life for each resident.

• Act as role model for non-licensed staff in the delivering of safe, competent, and compassionate service.

• Documenting and communicating regularly with the Administrator and DON.

• Receiving physician’s orders, processing orders, and updating Care Plan as necessary.

• Complete charting of treatments, medications, assessments, care plans and summaries of residents’ progresses.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: The LPN must be a Licensed Practical Nurse who holds a current license in the State of South Dakota. He/She must have the ability to understand and implement local, state and federal regulations related to healthcare.
• Experience: It is very helpful if he/she has had experience in supervising staff, dealing with the public and being familiar with the doctors in the Aberdeen community. It is important that he/she have an interest in dealing with the elderly, an understanding of disorders that affect the elderly with dementia, and a desire to work with this population.
• Job Knowledge: He/She must know what is expected in providing the best possible care for residents. He/She must insist upon and hold the finest of practices throughout the center. He/She must be able to implement principles of healthcare, follow employment practices as are outlined in the facility’s policy and procedure manual and work cooperatively with outside agencies and individuals. He/She must also have a substance to sometimes make some very tough decisions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Sit and walk for up to two hours.

• Walk three to four hours.

• Frequent lifting up to 50 pounds.

• Occasional bending and twisting at waist.

• Occasional reaching above or below shoulder heights, e.g. charts or supplies on upper shelves and lower drawers in medication cart.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Exposure to blood borne pathogens.

• Subject to frequent interruptions.

• Subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents.

• Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary.

• Must attend and participate in in-house education programs.