Licensed Practical Nurse - Clinical Care

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides patient-centered nursing care in the ambulatory setting as a member of the interdisciplinary care team and in accordance with the established plan of care, organizational policies and procedures, nursing protocols, standing orders, and applicable Maryland Board of Nursing scope-of-practice requirements.

Under the direction of a Registered Nurse, advanced practice clinician, physician, or other authorized licensed health care practitioner, the LPN contributes to the collection of patient health information, participates in implementation of the established plan of care, provides direct nursing services, reinforces patient education, administers medications and treatments as authorized, monitors and reports patient response to care, and participates in evaluation of patient outcomes.

The LPN supports ambulatory clinical operations through in-person and telephonic patient follow-up and independent visits, medication reconciliation, chronic disease support, care coordination activities, clinical procedures, regulatory readiness, and collaboration with the interdisciplinary care team. The LPN recognizes changes in patient condition and promptly communicates findings requiring additional assessment or clinical decision-making to the Registered Nurse or appropriate licensed provider.

Major duties and responsibilities include:

Analytical and Critical Thinking

Contributes to the nursing assessment by collecting focused and ongoing patient health information and reporting findings to the Registered Nurse or appropriate licensed provider.

Identifies changes in patient condition, abnormal findings, barriers to care, or potential safety concerns and promptly communicates findings to the appropriate licensed clinician.

Implements clinical nursing interventions consistent with an established plan of care, organizational protocols, standing orders, and at the direction from the Registered Nurse or licensed provider.

Participates in evaluation of the patient's response to nursing interventions and communicates findings to the Registered Nurse or provider for determination of changes to the plan of care.

Provides nursing follow-up for patients with stable chronic health conditions according to established care plans, protocols, and provider orders.

Identifies patients who may require additional assessment, intervention, or higher-level nursing or provider review and appropriately escalates concerns.

Uses clinical judgment within the LPN scope of practice to recognize urgent or emergent conditions and initiates established emergency procedures.

Participates in medication reconciliation by obtaining and verifying medication information, identifying discrepancies or adherence concerns, and communicating findings to the Registered Nurse, pharmacist, or provider as appropriate.

Coordinates, tracks, and provides follow-up related to laboratory results, diagnostic testing, referrals, preventive screening, or treatment plans when directed by established protocols or the licensed care team.

Teamwork

Collaborates with Registered Nurses, providers, Medical Assistants, behavioral health staff, care coordinators, pharmacists, and other members of the interdisciplinary care team.

Participates in team huddles, case discussions, and care coordination activities to support continuity of care.

Works collaboratively with the Transition of Care team to support established follow-up plans after hospitalization, emergency department visits, or other transitions in care. Communicates patient needs, clinical findings, barriers, and response to treatment to the appropriate team member. Provides support and training to Medical Assistants and other clinical staff within the LPN's role.

Provides coverage and clinical support across teams, specialties, and health centers as assigned and based on demonstrated competency.

Works collaboratively with the Registered Nurse when patient needs exceed the LPN scope of practice or require comprehensive nursing assessment, care planning, or evaluation.

Patient Focus

Assists patients in the development of self-management goals, evaluates ongoing status of goals along with other members of the interdisciplinary care team; coordinates follow-up as needed.

Participates in population health and quality-improvement initiatives by assisting with preventive care outreach, chronic disease management, risk stratification activities, and closure of care gaps.

Accesses appropriate resources inside and outside the organization to meet the needs of the caller/patient.

Demonstrates awareness of cultural, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation and racial differences and their potential to impact patient outcomes.

Communication

Provides patient and caregiver education consistent with the LPN's education, demonstrated competencies, established plan of care, organizational policies and procedures, and applicable provider orders.

Provides education regarding medications and medication adherence, self-administration techniques, injections, inhaler and nebulizer use, blood glucose and blood pressure monitoring, wound care, preventive health, disease self-management, and other topics within demonstrated competency.

Uses teach-back and other appropriate methods to evaluate patient understanding and communicate identified educational needs to the Registered Nurse or provider.

Utilize interpreter services as appropriate.

Participates in nursing department, site, clinical, and committee meetings as assigned.

Communicates promptly with the RN or provider regarding changes in patient condition or concerns requiring further assessment or modification of the care plan.

Leads clinical huddles to communicate patient care needs, coordinate workflows, and promote effective interdisciplinary team collaboration.

Checking, Examining, and Recording

Collects focused health-status data relevant to the patient's current condition or established plan of care.

Obtains and documents vital signs, symptoms, medication information, treatment response, and other clinical data.

Documents both incoming and outgoing calls as they occur and communicate effectively with other team members to provide continuity of care to the patient.

Documents nursing interventions, patient response, education provided, and communication with other members of the care team.

Reviews relevant medical record information to support assigned nursing activities.

Reports significant findings, new symptoms, deterioration, or inconsistencies to the Registered Nurse or appropriate provider.

Maintains accurate documentation consistent with professional standards, organizational policy, and regulatory requirements.

Complies with all HIPAA and HITECH regulations and maintains privacy and confidentiality of patient protected health information in all situations. Practices within professional, ethical, legal, and organizational requirements.

Reports errors, safety events, or concerns according to organizational policy.

Compliance, Policy, and Procedures

Practices within the Maryland Board of Nursing LPN scope of practice, organizational policies and procedures, established nursing protocols, standing orders, and provider orders. Participates in environment-of-care rounds, regulatory readiness activities, audits, and corrective-action activities as assigned.

Reports identified safety, regulatory, or policy concerns through the appropriate chain of command.

Maintains required licensure, certifications, training, and competencies.

Performs independent verification and double-check processes for medications, vaccines, and treatments in accordance with organizational policy.

Willingness to Learn and Teach

Provides assistance, mentoring, coaching and training to less experienced staff, or seeks guidance from preceptors and other experienced staff when needed.

Participates in competency validation and professional development activities.

Develops competency across primary care and specialty areas based on organizational needs.

Professionalism

Consistently displays professionalism in dealing with customers, staff, and clinicians as observed by manager. Covers staffing shortages as needed.

Demonstrates adaptability and flexibility in response to changing patient-care and operational needs.

Skills and abilities include:

Knowledge of practical nursing principles and ambulatory nursing practice

Ability to communicate effectively with patients and interdisciplinary team members.

Ability to work with diverse patient populations.

Experience with documentation in an Electronic Medical Record

Ability to work with computers in word processing, and database applications preferred.

Must be flexible and adapt to a changing environment.

Able to prioritize competing responsibilities

Education and/or experience:

Required: Current, active Maryland Licensed Practical Nurse license or valid multistate licensure privilege authorizing LPN practice in Maryland.

Required: CPR certified by scheduled start date.

Preferred: One year of LPN experience in an ambulatory, primary care, community health, acute care, or similar clinical setting.

Preferred: Experience caring for patients with chronic medical conditions and diverse health needs.

Working conditions/physical demands:

Work is typically performed on site in a clinic environment.