Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Position Title :                          Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Department :                            Medical Services
Reporting Function :                Director of Community Living Services
Supervisory Functions :           None
Salary :                                      $34.00-$39.84 based off education and experience

Job Summary
The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides nursing support and medical coordination for individuals served through Laradon's Community Living Services (CLS), with additional nursing support provided to Adult Day, CYC, School, and other Laradon programs as assigned.  The LPN works collaboratively with individuals served, Host Home Providers, Family Care Givers, Residential Program Coordinators, Program Managers, families/guardians, physicians, pharmacies, hospitals, specialists, case managers, and other healthcare professionals to promote the health, safety, and well-being of individuals served.
The LPN independently performs nursing responsibilities within the LPN's education, training, experience, competency, and legal scope of practice. Responsibilities include monitoring health status, implementing physician orders and established health care plans and medical protocols, coordinating medical appointments and follow-up care, supporting medication management, maintaining medical documentation and records, providing staff education, conducting required home visits, and supporting regulatory compliance.
When an individual's needs require services or expertise outside the LPN's scope of practice, the LPN communicates and escalates concerns to the individual's physician, healthcare provider, emergency medical services, or other appropriate healthcare professional.

Key Duties & Responsibilities
Nursing Care & CLS Support

• Provide nursing care, treatments, and support within the LPN's legal scope of practice and demonstrated competency.
• Complete monthly home visits for assigned CLS individuals to monitor health and safety, review established medical supports, identify concerns, and complete required follow-up and documentation.
• Provide nursing support, education, and guidance to Host Home Providers, Family Care Givers, Residential Program Coordinators, Program Managers, and other caregivers within the LPN's scope.
• Implement physician orders, established health care plans, medical protocols, and nursing instructions.
• Provide nursing support to other Laradon programs as assigned.

Medication & Health Care Coordination

• Review Medication Administration Records (MARs) for accuracy, completeness, and consistency with current physician orders.
• Monitor medication administration and identify and communicate discrepancies, errors, omissions, adverse reactions, or other concerns.
• Obtain, process, track, and maintain physician orders and medication-related documentation.
• Update MARs in accordance with current physician orders and Laradon procedures.
• Obtain and track appointment records, test results, provider recommendations, and required follow-up.
• Communicate with physicians, pharmacies, hospitals, specialists, case managers, families/guardians, caregivers, and other healthcare providers to support continuity of care.
• Assist with QMAP-related processes and training as permitted by applicable regulations.

Medical Records & Compliance

• Obtain, monitor, and maintain required medical documentation, including physicals, physician orders, medication orders, evaluations, screenings, treatment records, and follow-up documentation.
• Maintain accurate medical records, electronic files, tracking spreadsheets, databases, and medical monitoring tools.
• Scan, index, file, transcribe, and process medical documentation accurately and timely.
• Track outstanding medical documentation, appointments, screenings, and follow-up needs.
• Prepare and maintain documentation for audits, file reviews, surveys, and regulatory reviews.
• Monitor medical documentation for compliance with Laradon policies, confidentiality requirements, applicable nursing standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Identify and communicate medical documentation or compliance concerns to appropriate leadership.

Staff Training & Education

• Provide education and training regarding established health care plans, medical protocols, medication requirements, infection control, health and safety practices, emergency procedures, and individual-specific healthcare needs within the LPN's scope.
• Conduct assigned nursing-related training and assist with QMAP/QMAP Refresher training as permitted by applicable requirements.
• Coordinate with the Training Specialist regarding required medical training for CLS staff and contracted caregivers.
• Maintain required training and competency records.
• Identify and communicate staff competency concerns to appropriate leadership or healthcare professionals.

Nursing Tasks, Communication & Escalation

• Perform nursing responsibilities only within the LPN's legal scope of practice, education, training, experience, and demonstrated competency.
• Participate in the performance, teaching, or delegation of nursing tasks only when legally permitted and within the LPN's scope of practice.
• Follow applicable Colorado Board of Nursing requirements regarding nursing tasks, delegation, competency, and supervision.
• Maintain effective communication with individuals served, families/guardians, caregivers, medical providers, case managers, and Laradon staff.
• Serve as a nursing resource regarding established medical protocols, health care plans, medication requirements, and routine healthcare processes within the LPN's scope.
• Communicate significant changes in condition, unresolved medical concerns, or situations requiring assessment, intervention, expertise, or services outside the LPN's scope to the individual's physician, healthcare provider, emergency medical services, or other appropriate healthcare professional.

Administrative & Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of nursing services and assigned responsibilities.
• Maintain confidentiality of individual and organizational information.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance and a regular presence in office and program environments as required.
• Maintain professional licensure and required certifications in good standing.
• Maintain required professional and organizational training, including orientation, mandated reporting, MANE, incident reporting, First Aid/CPR, Safety Care, and other required training.
• Participate in quality improvement activities, interdisciplinary meetings, medical-related projects, audits, and regulatory reviews as assigned.
• Remain current on applicable nursing regulations, Laradon policies, and requirements related to assigned responsibilities.
• Complete administrative duties, special projects, and other responsibilities as assigned.

Scope of Practice
The LPN provides nursing services within the scope of practice established by the Colorado Nurse and Patient Safety Act, Colorado Board of Nursing rules and regulations, and the LPN's education, training, experience, and demonstrated competency.
The LPN independently performs duties that fall within the LPN's legal scope of practice.
When an individual's condition or healthcare needs require services, assessment, and clinical judgment, care planning, intervention, delegation, or expertise beyond the LPN's scope or competency, the LPN will contact and collaborate with the individual's physician, healthcare provider, emergency medical services, or other appropriate healthcare professional.
Laradon reserves the right to modify responsibilities based on regulatory requirements, individual needs, program requirements, and organizational needs, provided such responsibilities remain within the employee's legal scope of practice.

Minimum Training Requirements

• Ongoing training and development in program-specific areas.
• All trainings deemed mandatory by Laradon, including:
  • Orientation
  • Mistreatment, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation (MANE)
  • Incident Reporting
  • First Aid/CPR
  • Safety Care
  • Required on-the-job training

Minimum Position Requirements

• Current Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license in good standing.
• Knowledge of and experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Valid Colorado driver's license, good driving record, and reliable transportation.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements of the position, including exerting up to 50 pounds of force and walking, standing, sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling as required.
• Ability to remain active and on one's feet for extended periods and communicate effectively in an audible manner.