LPN

Licensed Practical Nurse

Provides quality, cost-effective healthcare under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse. Emphasis shall be placed on maximizing the patient's functional ability in the activities of daily living, promoting, maintaining and restoring health, preventing and minimizing the disabilities of acute and chronic illness. The Licensed Practical Nurse shall contribute to the nursing assessment by collecting, reporting and recording objective and subjective data in an accurate and timely manner. Participates in the development of the nursing plan of care. Identifies expected outcomes individualized to patient. Implements the established plan of care under the supervision of a registered nurse. Contributes to the evaluation of the responses of patients to nursing interventions. Discharges duties in a professional manner while demonstrating values of respect, dignity, integrity and compassion. Actions are consistent with hospital policies and procedures and current standards governing nursing practice and long term care.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Current unencumbered licensure with the WV Board of Practical Nursing, or appropriate state board where services will be provided, as a practical nurse OR current multi-state licensure through the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).

2. CPR certification.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience: Three (3) months of LPN experience.

Core Duties and Responsibilities: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Demonstrates knowledge and skill necessary to provide care and education appropriate to the age of the patients served. (Adult 18-79 years, Geriatric 80+ years)

• Demonstrates knowledge of principles of growth and development.
• Assesses information relative to patient's status to the age specific needs of each patient and reports this information to the registered nurse.
• Maintains an understanding of treatment necessary for each patient and provides appropriate care based on their age specific needs.

2. Demonstrates knowledge in performance of treatments and daily care according to policies and procedures, including but not limited to:

• Removes staples and sutures
• Performs ostomy care
• Performs irrigations
• Checks surgical drains
• Maintains and monitors patient control analgesia.
• Maintains orthopedic devices
• Performs dressing changes/wound care
• Performs blood sugars with glucometer
• Maintains patency of nasogastric and enteral feeding tubes
• Performs nasopharagneal and oral suctioning
• Monitors hypothermia blanket
• Performs phlebotomy
• Obtains EKG
• Initiation of peripheral intravenous access
• Performs urinary catheterizations
• Performs bladder scan
• Restraint applications and the identification of restraint alternatives.

3. Witnesses informed consent signature of patients, health care surrogate/medical power of attorney on required permits for surgery or diagnostic procedures.

4. Responsible for the administration of medications including oral, topical, rectal and IM, after completing 80 hour pharmacology course.

5. Performs selected IV administration after completing IV Therapy training.

Responsibilities include:

• Performs tubing and dressing changes
• Primes IV Tubing
• Hangs primary and secondary solutions
• Monitors and adjusts drip rates
• Discontinues IV
• Maintains PCA pump
• Maintains IV pump
• Maintains saline locke
• Monitors and documents IV site

6. Assists with narcotic count at the start and end of each shift.

7. Monitors inventory of stock medications and supplies; reorders items when needed.

8. Works with the certified nurse assistants and other personnel to complete activities of daily living and provide plan of care.

9. Implements written physician orders under the direction of the registered nurse in a timely manner.

10. Practices clean and sterile technique when performing wound care, IV therapy or other treatments while maintaining body substance isolation.

11. Assists the physician with procedures and treatments as able.

12. Performs functions of SMS (i.e. issue floor stock, CPD, work requests).

13. Provides care of the respite and hospite patient in accordance with policies and procedures.

14. The collection of data about the health status of the patient is systematic and continuous. This data is communicated to the nurse manager or charge nurse, recorded and stored in a retrievable and accessible system.

• Responsible for completing selected information from the patient or family on admission to the department.
• Conducts an assessment of and monitors the health status of assigned patients daily.
• Reports any abnormal observations findings to the nurse manager or charge nurse.
• Reviews abnormal diagnostic data with the nurse manager or charge nurse.

15. Nursing diagnosis is derived from health status data.

• Assists the registered nurse in the development of the appropriate nursing diagnosis.
• Updates the nursing diagnosis as the patient's health assessment data changes.

16. Participates in the development and implementation of an individualized plan of care with the patient and other disciplines in accordance with identified patient care needs.

• The plan of care provides direct and indirect nursing interventions.
• Safety measures are implemented and incorporated into the plan of care in accordance with patient care needs.

17. Participates in the plan of care evaluation

• Contributes to the evaluation of the patient's response to the nursing care plan daily.
• Contributes to the evaluation established patient goals daily.
• Updates the plan of care under the supervision of the registered nurse as the patient's health assessment data or nursing diagnosis changes.
• Evaluation of patient care and observations of patient's response are documented daily.

18. Supports the patient Bill of Rights and Nurses Code when making ethical patient decisions.

19. Follows approved standard of care or standard of practice when caring for patients.

20. Assists in process of identifying healthcare surrogate as appropriate to patient care.

21. Demonstrates knowledge of long term care requirements, including but not limited to:

• Documentation includes skilling criteria.
• Notification of patient and family of change in treatment/condition or change of roommate.
• Encourages physician to complete standing order sheet.
• Relate to physician communications of drug review.
• Demonstrates understanding of types of abuse, abuse recognition, and reporting requirements.

22. Maintains communication in a professional manner, including but not limited to the following:

• Establishes and maintains good rapport with patients, families and peers.
• Communicates and coordinates multidisciplinary activities to ensure delivery of quality care.
• Explains care to patients/families prior to performance of procedures.
• Provides emotional support to patients and their families.

23. Provides the appropriate educational information to the patient and his/her significant other throughout the stay.

24. Documents teaching provided in the medical record.

25. Assists with preceptorship program when required.

26. Provides detailed discharge teaching and information under the direction of a registered nurse.

27. Provides restorative patient care in a manner that promotes maintenance or enhancement of the patient's quality of life.

28. Sets short-term goals and objectives to organize work and to meet patient's needs.

29. Prepares and submits incident reports.

30. Reports any safety or risk management problems to charge nurse or appropriate hospital personnel.

31. Supports hospital and departmental cost containment efforts.

32. Reviews and initials meeting minutes and postings in department.

33. Responds timely to patient call light and needs.